LOGIN TO CREATE PRACTICE PLANS

Once all defenders have established a check individually they should: maintain 'top-side' positioning on the ball, mid-point and keep an open stance off-ball, keep their sticks up in passing/shooting lanes, follow cutters and be physical on picks. High defenders must also close the gap on shooters and push through seals/picks, while 'low' defenders must lock off the crease (off-ball) and not get beat underneath (no help). The key player in the helping man-to-man defense is the off-ball high defender on the weak-side and the off-ball 'middle defender' on the strong-side (sometimes known as the 'hot' defender). Whoever is in either of these positions at any given time should sag off of their check and into the middle more than any other player on the defense (adjacent defenders should also 'show help' where possible). Collectively off-ball defenders should sag, 'stay tight' and be prepared to help any teammate that gets beat toward the net (adjacent or off-ball), leaving their check entirely and 'sliding' over if required. There is no need to chase one's check out by the boards or as ultimately they will need to come to the middle and get to the net to be a scoring threat. The ultimate goal of any defense is not to get scored on as a team. Individual defenders are responsible for 1.5 players at any given time; your own check, as well as half of one of your teammates (if they need 'help'). Goalies are responsible for stopping: shots from outside of the prime scoring area, shots from players on their wrong side of the floor and seam shots.