DEFENSIVE CONCEPTSPRESENTED BY:
ADAM MAIR
DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, CANISIUS COLLEGE
Defining Good Team Defense
A low Goals Against Average (G.A.A.) is a statistical indicator of good defensive play
There is strong correlation between low Shots Allowed per Game (SHA/G) and a low G.A.A.
Does Defense Really Win Championships?
Over the past 15 N.H.L seasons, the President’s Trophy winners have ranked on average in the top 5 in G.A.A.
The Stanley Cup winners have had an average rank in the top 7 in G.A.A.
NCAA Men’s Division 1 conference winners have have led their conferences in G.A.A. 12 of 15 times in the last 3 years
Playing good defense is necessary to winning a championship
Goal Scoring Area – “The House”
85-90%
Entry Possession – Off the Rush
A team is over 2 times as likely to score a goal when entering the offensive zone with possession vs. dumping the puck
3 times as likely to score a goal when entering the zone with possession on an odd man rush vs. dumping the puck
Power Play Goals
In the past five N.H.L. seasons, 24% of all goals have been scored on the Power Play
Defensive Philosophy
Limit defensive zone time
Avoid odd man rushes against
Force teams to dump and chase
Protect “The House” Limit shots from the goal scoring area
Don’t take penalties
Play longer in the Offensive Zone
Weak side Defensemen pinch
Forwards “Reloading” above the puck
Weak Side D Pinch
Recognize the rim – winger on an “island”
Check off for good F3 support
Arrive when the puck does
Defensive side positioning. Stay loose.
Face-offs
Offensive Zone “Reloading”
Deep forwards “reload” though the middle, above the puck
Reloading creates layers of defense
Great defensive and offensive positioning
Soft Lock
Good F3 prevents odd man rushes
Good stick
Think “toes”
Dot/middle lane soft lock
Rush Defense
Communicate
Gap
Pass middle lane driver off to net D
Good backchecking creates a “Sandwich” effect
Use dots as a guide against odd man rush and buy time
Neutral Zone Defense
Common themes throughout various effective systems:
F1 is key
Think above
Deny the red Force dumps
1-2-2
1-3-1 Quinnipiac
1-2-2
F1
F2
F3
D1
D2
1-2-2
F1 Cut ice in half. Stay above the puck and inside the dots. Deny pass to wide lane.
F2 Dot lane positioning. Responsible for strong side pass. Deny the red line.
F3 Above middle lane option
D1 Layers behind F2. Will play strong side pucks and retrieve chips.
D2 Holds middle of the ice. Plays wide lane pass but will not pinch up to cheat it.
Defensive Zone Coverage
Return through the middle and stop in the “dice”
Move and defend as a unit of 5
Eliminate time and space
Create layers – Defensive side
Use defensive numbers to your advantage “Swarm”
Sticks in passing lanes. Bodies in shooting lanes.
Prevent the offense from spreading or changing sides
Stop in the “Dice” – Defend the “House”
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23
4
5
The Execution
Share your Vision
Consistent Message
Constant and Reinforced
Accountability
Success – Build the Belief