DEFENSIVE CONCEPTS PRESENTED BY: ADAM MAIR DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, CANISIUS COLLEGE.

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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The Execution

Share your Vision

Consistent Message

Constant and Reinforced

Accountability

Success – Build the Belief