What do you want your D to do?

[rhanz]

The recent deflection topic got me thinking about defensemen doing 'too much', and trying to figure out what, exactly, a goaltender would like their defensemen to do. Now, given that I've had no formal coaching or training, this is mostly me spouting crap off. Feel free to tell me how wrong I am.

I figure that playing D is done in layers, with each layer building on the previous.

First and foremost responsibility of defense is to prevent high-quality scoring chances. Note that I didn't say shots. This means a few things to me:

• Not allowing odd-man rushes
• Taking any open man in a prime-scoring area
• Not screening me, or allowing me to be screened
• Slowing down the play
• Forcing the shooter outside

Second responsibility would be puck possession/control. Any assistance in gaining control of the puck is a good thing, provided that it is not attempted at the cost of the points above.

Third and last responsibility is scoring assistance.

Most high-percentage chances that I see (in my admittedly crappy leagues) are the result of guys trying for possession/scoring chances at the expense of one of the points under 'prevent high-quality scoring chances'. Lots of sins fall under this category: 'charging' the puck carrier, chasing the carrier behind the net inappropriately, playing the man instead of the pass on a 2 on 1, etc.

Thoughts? Ideas?

[Bassai]

I would add that I want them to make a stand at the blueline rather than collapsing in on me.

Edit: There is one D in particualr that what I would like the guy to do is to play Forward.

[kevinsane]

Introduce themselves at the End Of Season party.

[Mankow]

How about not standing in my crease. Tuesday night, I had a defensman try and share the goaltending duties by standing in my crease and telling me to move over. I was confused at first...didn't move and play left the zone, but then he did it again.

When I covered the puck, I got up and asked him what the **** he was doing. He said helping. "Wanna help!!!!, play D and I'll play goal, how's that sound."

We lost 6-2 in a game that wasn't that close...I think we took 6 shots the whole night. There was an awkward silence in the locker room. Anyway...he didn't stand in the crease anymore.

I just want my D to not screen me, and try to stop the corner passes to the slot. Those are the most common scoring chance in my league, and if the D would pick up the man, it would really help.

[sjobgen]

Buy the beer

[lougio]

Good points Hanzer!

1)Don't collapse like Bassai said. I think once they collapse to the hash marks/face off dot depth they need to force the player with the puck to go around them to the outside. Never let them cross into the middle. Once the D falls below the hash marks and the puck isn't in close then it is a big mess and they are causing more problems then helping in the way of screens, deflections, etc..

2)Also I would like them to pick up the loose players when there is a rebound. I don't know how many times my D has their back to a player when there is a loose puck. Doesn't it **** you off when your D is standing there and the O gets a tap in while you are searching for the puck. Which leads me to my next point.

3)Communication. Rebounds, odd-man rushes, traffic control, etc all need to have good lines of communication. No more silent partners. And give each other compliments. That seems to bolster the play of the other. I try and go out of my way to let a player know when they've done a good job.

4)And for Christ's sake help the goalie out by making themselves accessible when we play the puck. It never seems to fail that when you try and clear the puck the opposing player knows exactly what you are doing but your D doesn't and stands at the blue line waiting for the puck to arrive. However it never get to them because the opposing player steps in front to steal the clear. Result is you diving across the crease trying to stop the shot at the open net.

[BKLYNNetminder]

If I play the puck around the end boards AWAY from the attacker, do not send it back from where it came unless the attacker is gone. I've been burned like this way too many times.

[rhanz]

On yeah, one more thing... if you see the guy on the breakaway, by all means pressure him enough that he has to commit and can't dawdle around. But, your primary focus should be to pick up any rebound. Perfect rebound control on a breakaway is a bitch, and if I can at least count on my D to pick up the puck after I make the initial save, it's all the better. NOTHING sucks more than to stop a breakaway only to have the puck tapped in by the trailer as your D is still running after the first guy.

[pelle]

All good points,I think communicating with each other and better still talking before hand about how situations should be handled is the best way to prevent problems.When I was/am playing defence I was always weary not to get caught on a bad pinch in the offensive zone.As far as holding the blue line,I found it much easier when playing body contact and when I was 20 lbs. lighter.I found in beer leagues ,especially when teams in our over 30 league started using 19-20 year olds,that it was tough to hold the line with a stick check.As a result of younger ,faster players you start backing in too deep trying to protect from getting skated around.Now as a goalie I would rather the defence play the puck aggresivley and if they are going to get beat,make sure it is wide.I always was willing and tryed to block shots ,but now see how tough it is for the goalie to track the puck if it makes it past the attempted block by the defenceman.I found it much easier once I told my defencemen what I wanted from them that they and I found play in our own end much improved.

[dr hook]

Originally Posted by kevinsane

Introduce themselves at the End Of Season party.

Damn, that was brilliant!

[zoid]

something i've always wondered about is the positioning of the d-man. I've never played d or heard this being taught to them, but they all do it, even at the junior+ level.

with no forwards at the net, why do the d default to standing in front of the net lined up on the puck? I've had many shots that would have been unscreened go in, because they came through the d-man's leg or body, or i've been leaning to look around them.

wouldn't it make more sense to have the d stand at the corner of the crease, away from the goalie, but still close enough to deal with a charging forward or rebound?

here's a etch a sketch example of what i mean.

note: i drew the D a little higher then intented, imagine a D-man about 5 feet off the top of the crease




versus



it seems to me that not lining up on the puck let's the d have postion on the puck carrier if they move in, prevents a back door pass and lets them see more of the ice, particulary the dangerous slot ice.

any coaches know why? is this a habit that all d-man seem to have? are they taught this in order to block shots? There must be a reason, since it occurs in even the highest levels of hockey, despite the goals it seems to be venerable to create.

[lougio]

[quote=zoid]something i've always wondered about is the positioning of the d-man. I've never played d or heard this being taught to them, but they all do it, even at the junior+ level.

For one, where are the other players? With the way you have it set up the D is caught in the middle. I would rather have the shot from the point. The D in this situation has to make sure the puck carrier doesn't just walk into the prime scoring area of the slot, but he can't leave the guy backdoor for an easy tap in. The only time I want the D near my crease is if Ihave just made a save and he is looking to tie up a player charging the net or is going to clear a dangerous rebound. I'd rather have him let the player shoot from the high slot.

[zoid]

uhhhh... yeah what he said.


i think we're talkin' the same thing.

[sloth2946]

What I'd like my defense to do is very simple:

1. Keep the men to the outside.
2. Don't let people move or pass to the slot
3. Give me a chance on the shot*
4. Let me see the shot. If I can see it, odds are I will stop it.

By #3 I mean, make the shooter take a shot where I don't have to move 6-10' before making the save. Hint, passes across.

[spidergoalie]

Lots of good stuff here!
My pet peeve.....DON'T pass or attempt to clear it UP THE MIDDLE!!!!!
I will never understand some of the clearing decisions D make.