Ok, defense mavens, break it down for me. What are the top three things I need to keep in mind when I playing D?

-- Ann (ann@sporto.org), January 28, 2002

Answers

1. Don't watch the puck, watch the puckhandler's eyes. 2. Any out is a good out. 3. Three words --- Stay At Home.

--Adam

-- Adam B. (ratherbesailing@earthlink.net), January 29, 2002.

As a Former D1 goalie, I would say that first, always push forward wide. help will arrive. Second, give your goalie clear sight of all shots. We can make saves if we see it coming. Most importantly, worship your goaltender, they are your last line of defense. I could write several pages on tips for D. Let me know.

-- Grant Jansons (gjansons@lakeregion.com), January 29, 2002.

Be aware of who is on the ice with you. Because you'll need to know if you have to be conservative or aggressive. Be conservative on the blue line (don't hold the blue line for too long) if their speediest forward is out there. Be agressive on keeping the puck in the zone if you know you can catch up if their forward gets the puck from you at their blue line.

-- Rana (rg87@cornell.edu), January 29, 2002.

I rarely play D, so I try to do the basics when I do. Mostly it involves what not to do. Don't pass through the slot (unless you play in the NHL) Don't make clever passes in your end. Don't make blind passes. Don't jump in the offensive rush unless you are SURE you can get your butt back down in your own end fast.

THINGS TO DO: Force the puck carrier wide: even if he gets around you at some point the GK will have an easier time of it (assuming it is down low).

Position yourself well to slow the puck carrier down. Hopefully, teammates will arrive.

2 on 1: I always take the guy without the puck, and let the GK make the stop.

Skate on a solid base; bend those knees; and put some weight on your stick (which is of course, on the ice).

Things others could do to help the inexperienced D player

Talk! Let me know when I have a man-on. Forwards/Centers; Where are you, let me hear you; Goes double for GKs..let me know what you want.

-- Terry Banbury (tbanbury@columbus.rr.com), January 30, 2002.

I've played D for about 4 years now, and I'm much happier there than I was as a forward. I'm stilllearning, but the few things that I know are:

1. Don't watch the puck, watch the attacker's chest - it lets you know which way he/she will go, and lets you keep the puck in your periferal vision.

2. Stay on your feet - as soon as you hit the ice you take yourself out of the game.

3. Don't screen your goalie - let them see the shot, and clear out the rebound(if there is one).

4. NEVER pass in front of the goal(through the slot) - it invites someone to come in and intercept and get an almost clear shot on goal - I learned this the hard way last Sunday when I did this exact thing and contributed to our team losing the game.

That's all I can think of for now, but as I say I'm still learning my self. My biggest tip is to watch the more experienced defense players to see what they do, then try and do the same. That has been the biggest help to me, and always listen to them if they give you advice - they generally know what they're talking about!!

-- Emma (emma87_99@yahoo.co.uk), February 01, 2002.

Watch the skater's stomach and/or hips-he/she can't go anywhere without them Always use the boards to get the puck out of your end if you have no where else to go If you're not that good a skater or puckhandler, it is better to dump the puck in their end rather than try to skate arounfd someone and risk coughing it up-let your forwards go deep

-- JD (jdpouch@yahoo.com), February 07, 2002.

D is simple. 1) Cover your point in the offesive zone. If your taking a "stay at home" position, let your defensive partener know thay can move up and you'll cover the back door.

2) Cover your Goal and corners in the defensive end. BUT don't block your Gaolie's view. Remember to clear out in front of the net. Any defensivewoman who doesn't draw a penalty for aggressive play in front of her own net is not worth much.

3) Talk it up. On 1 on 1, pick one rusher and let the goalie cover the other. Worst problem for a goalie is not knowing who her defensivewoman is going to cover or what action she will or will not take.

Good Luck!!!

-- Wil Curtis (wcurtis@adelphia.net), February 10, 2002.

Some more tips on playing out of your zone: Use the boards, to clear the zone and to give your forwards a breakout pass that doesn't go right up their bee-hind. (Practice playing the puck off the boards.) Talk to your forwards in advance about how you'll break out; automatically ripping the puck out can be effective, especially if you play with no red line. Above all, MAKE SURE. Icing is not such a bad thing. A limp pass to their D on the point is a very bad thing.

-- Clutch Munny (clutch_m@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.

Probably not the Top Three, but three additional ones to consider!!

1 - On an Odd-Man (er, I mean Woman) Rush, take the passing lane away, and let the goalie have the shooter.

2 - Never clear it up the middle unless you're 110% sure its going to make it. Use the boards and glass instead, or pass to a fwd on a breakout.

3 - When on the Power Play, pay attention to the player when its their turn to come out of the box!!

-- Robert Marshall (robertjm@hockeyhockeyhockey.com), February 15, 2002.

1. Don't screen the goalie. 2. Pick up forward when she enters the zone--force her wide and take away her shooting lane to net. Don't run back to the net and wait for her to show up. 3. Don't back off and give her room to shoot--keep the pressure on, or we end up back at point # 1. 4. I'd be interested in hearing tips for goalies since we have heard tips for defense and offense.

-- Susan (srunco14@aol.com), February 21, 2002.

Ive been plzyin d for my hole life and no one no more about d then me!!

1.Never be afraid to block a shot for ur goalie.(trust e he will thank u for it) 2.always be aggressive never let any body get in the way of ur goalie. 3.last but not least the most important never join the rush unless ur sure someone is covering for u even know u might be fast their is always someone faster then u.

-- J (weed_bunna@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

watch the person coming downs chest they cant deke there chest out

worry about the player not the puck.the goalie will worry bout the puck.

cover for your other defense men or in my case women!

-- emma (hockey_diva29@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.

Hey Here are some more answer's i play girl' hockey to so i do it! 1,Watch the player!!!!(also watch hte puck but when you look at the player you know were the puck is goin! 2, Keep your eyes open don't close them and don't dive for the other player! 3,Its the goalies net so stay out of there and let him/her take the shot!

-- Ashley (lucky_22_ashley@hotmail.com), July 01, 2002.

1.When in the defensive zone, Head on a swivel, make sure no one is sneaking up behind you when your covering the front of the net.

2. Play the far post. When the puck is in a corner, play the opposite post, no one is going to sneak up on you and you will be able to see the whole front of the net, and tie up whoever is there.

3. If you have nothing else to do get it out, HIGH and HARD! off the glass, opposing defence aren't going to stick their hands out to knock down a slapper off the glass, it hurts!

4. Make sure you have a shot before you take one. The worst thing, you hit his pads and he gets a breakaway.

5. LOOK! before you pass. Simple as that

6. You dont always have to plaster the guy into the boards, just ride him out, or even better, he can't score without the puck, just poke it away or take it from him

7. Win your corner, battle hard in your corner, dont let your man get out with the puck, hold him against the boards with either your stick or your leg between his legs, he isn't going anywhere if he can't move his legs.

8. Let the goaltender see.

Thats about all i can think of right now. Follow them and your on your way to the N.

-- Grant M. (gruntley@rogers.com), January 12, 2003.

Speakin of puck

Shamsheer

watch out for redlof

-- imme (¿¿¿??@greenspun.com), January 21, 2003.

Three things i learned were: -play agressive and cover your guy in front of the net

- Don't rush in less someone is covering for you

- watch the guys shest on a one on one

-- D Todd (rabbits_sheep_cool@hotmail.com), January 26, 2004.