Developing Defenseman and Defensive Zone Jeff Giesen Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach St. Cloud State University

Defenseman Skills Skating Puckhandling Passing Shooting

Skating Probably the biggest thing in hockey Work on a daily basis Good starts gives more confidence and can help on gap control both offensively and defensively Pivots, don’t crossover open up your hips

Skating Drills Up and Back Triple Circle Big Figure 8 Mirror drill Small Figure 8 Horizontal Lateral Iron Cross

Puckhandling and Passing Do as many things with pucks as possible Always try and keep the puck on the forehand Have players pass in practice Incorporate into off ice Communicate when passing both ways Don’t give your problem to someone else

Puckahandling Drills 3 circles with pucks Big figure 8 with pucks Small figure 8’s Horizontal Lateral Iron Cross with pucks Chop chops and Figure 8’s with pucks

Passing Drills Breakout warm up Dump in with pivot B.O Big figure 8 with one touch Small figure 8 with one touch Lateral Horizontal Rocking Horse

Shooting Proper technique Keep your head up Something to incorporate into off ice workouts Keeping shots on net Change shooting lanes Limit stick handling

Shooting Drills Down up and around Pass re-pass for shot With pass to partner Pass re-pass for shot Gather and Shoot One timers

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

Defensive Zone COMMUNICATE Always on the defensive side Know your responsibilities Defense one in front at all times Centers working board to board Wings on points and high slot area Good position

Defensive Zone Keep your stick down in passing lanes Head on a swivel Control your opponent in one on one situations Chase vs. contain Contain after the puck moves Establish good angles and gap control be quick, take away time and space

Defensive Zone Development Breaking it down into smaller parts 1 on 1 Situations 2 on 2 3 on 2 3 on 3 5 on 5

1 on 1 Shadow Out of the corner Def. plays 3 1on1’s Zone entry Fwd in the corner Fwd half way Fwd and D are even Def. plays 3 1on1’s Zone entry Fwds have three options

Situations 1 on 1 x 3 3 on 3 low 2 late back checkers 5 on 5 in the zone 5 on 5 ¾ ice scrimmage

In Closing Special thanks to Nicki DelCastillo for video help Questions