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

2. Defenseman Skills
Skating
Puckhandling
Passing
Shooting

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. In Closing Special thanks to Nicki DelCastillo for video help
Questions