Developing Defenseman Developing Defenseman andand

Defensive ZoneDefensive Zone

Jeff GiesenAssistant Women’s Hockey Coach

St. Cloud State University

Defenseman SkillsDefenseman Skills

SkatingSkating

PuckhandlingPuckhandling

PassingPassing

ShootingShooting

SkatingSkating

Probably the biggest thing in hockeyProbably the biggest thing in hockey Work on a daily basisWork on a daily basis Good starts gives more confidence Good starts gives more confidence

and can help on gap control both and can help on gap control both offensively and defensivelyoffensively and defensively

Pivots, don’t crossover open up your Pivots, don’t crossover open up your hipships

Skating DrillsSkating Drills

Up and BackUp and Back Triple CircleTriple Circle Big Figure 8Big Figure 8 Mirror drillMirror drill Small Figure 8Small Figure 8

HorizontalHorizontal LateralLateral

Iron CrossIron Cross

Puckhandling and Puckhandling and PassingPassing

Do as many things with pucks as Do as many things with pucks as possiblepossible

Always try and keep the puck on the Always try and keep the puck on the forehandforehand

Have players pass in practiceHave players pass in practice Incorporate into off ice Incorporate into off ice Communicate when passing both waysCommunicate when passing both ways Don’t give your problem to someone Don’t give your problem to someone

elseelse

Puckahandling DrillsPuckahandling Drills

3 circles with pucks3 circles with pucks Big figure 8 with Big figure 8 with

puckspucks Small figure 8’sSmall figure 8’s

HorizontalHorizontal LateralLateral

Iron Cross with pucksIron Cross with pucks Chop chops and Chop chops and

Figure 8’s with pucksFigure 8’s with pucks

Passing DrillsPassing Drills Breakout warm upBreakout warm up Dump in with pivot Dump in with pivot

B.OB.O Big figure 8 with Big figure 8 with

one touchone touch Small figure 8 with Small figure 8 with

one touchone touch LateralLateral HorizontalHorizontal

Rocking HorseRocking Horse

ShootingShooting

Proper techniqueProper technique Keep your head upKeep your head up Something to incorporate into off ice Something to incorporate into off ice

workoutsworkouts Keeping shots on netKeeping shots on net Change shooting lanesChange shooting lanes Limit stick handlingLimit stick handling

Shooting DrillsShooting Drills

Down up and Down up and aroundaround With pass to With pass to

partnerpartner Pass re-pass for Pass re-pass for

shotshot Gather and ShootGather and Shoot

With pass to With pass to partnerpartner

One timersOne timers

Defensive ZoneDefensive Zone

Defense is dull, boring commonplace. It Defense is dull, boring commonplace. It is the unimaginative plodding attention is the unimaginative plodding attention to duty. It is grit and determination. to duty. It is grit and determination. There is never a day you can’t use There is never a day you can’t use defense. All you need is the decision to defense. All you need is the decision to put out. To give 100 percent. What put out. To give 100 percent. What defense discloses is character. Effort defense discloses is character. Effort and energy are a matter of will.and energy are a matter of will.

Dr. George SheehanDr. George Sheehan

Running and BeingRunning and Being

Defensive ZoneDefensive Zone

COMMUNICATECOMMUNICATE Always on the defensive sideAlways on the defensive side Know your responsibilitiesKnow your responsibilities

Defense one in front at all timesDefense one in front at all times Centers working board to boardCenters working board to board Wings on points and high slot areaWings on points and high slot area

Good positionGood position

Defensive ZoneDefensive Zone

Keep your stick down in passing lanesKeep your stick down in passing lanes Head on a swivelHead on a swivel Control your opponent in one on one Control your opponent in one on one

situationssituations Chase vs. containChase vs. contain Contain after the puck movesContain after the puck moves Establish good angles and gap control Establish good angles and gap control

be quick, take away time and spacebe quick, take away time and space

Defensive Zone Defensive Zone DevelopmentDevelopment

Breaking it down Breaking it down into smaller partsinto smaller parts

1 on 11 on 1 SituationsSituations

2 on 22 on 2 3 on 23 on 2 3 on 33 on 3 5 on 55 on 5

1 on 11 on 1

ShadowShadow Out of the cornerOut of the corner

Fwd in the cornerFwd in the corner Fwd half wayFwd half way Fwd and D are evenFwd and D are even

Def. plays 3 1on1’sDef. plays 3 1on1’s Zone entryZone entry

Fwds have three Fwds have three optionsoptions

SituationsSituations

1 on 1 x 31 on 1 x 3 3 on 3 low3 on 3 low 2 late back 2 late back

checkerscheckers 5 on 5 in the zone5 on 5 in the zone 5 on 5 ¾ ice 5 on 5 ¾ ice

scrimmagescrimmage

In ClosingIn Closing

Special thanks to Nicki DelCastillo Special thanks to Nicki DelCastillo

for video helpfor video help

QuestionsQuestions