Don Cherry, THE Coach
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Checking
As we discussed on Defense, the purpose of defense -- aside from preventing goals -- is to regain control of the puck. Angling and positioning was the first step in achieving that goal, the second is through stick checking.
Stick checking does not always receive the attention its cousin the body check gets, but at times the stick check is a much more effective defensive approach.
As the Rink Rats only play non-contact hockey, mastering the stick check is vital, however, as some body-contact is part of the game this is covered as well here.
This page concentrates on the six most commonly used stick checks
Poke Check
Poke checks are most commonly used by a player in a backwards skating position defending an oncoming offensive player. However, you will find offensive players using it when attacking from the side or from behind as well as some goaltenders especially when defending breakaways. The most important item to keep in mind about the poke check is to always maintain your balance when executing the maneuver. If you do not, you will take yourself out of the play if you miss the puck. Also, never look directly at the puck, concentrate on the stomach and hips of the attacking player. Locate the puck out of the corner of your eye.
- Have only your top hand on the stick.
- Keep the elbow of your top hand tucked in close to your side (see Fig. 1 ).
- Your other hand is used to maintain your balance.
- When the opponent and the puck come into range, lunge the bottom part of the stick blade at the puck using only your top hand (see Fig. 2 ).
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You never want to poke at the puck too early. The poke check should be used to surprise the offensive player. If you tip off the attacking player as to what you plan to do, they will easily be able to deke around your check or pass to a teammate.
Hook Check
The hook check is the most difficult stick check to perform because not only are you knocking the offensive player off the puck but also gaining control of the puck. This checking maneuver is most successful when the offensive player is unaware of your presence around the puck. Using the curved part of the stick between the shaft and the blade, quickly slide the puck away from the stick handler.
- Place only your top hand on the stick.
- With one knee bent, bring the shaft of the stick down so that it is almost flat on the ice.
- Turn the stick blade towards the puck, so the curved area between the stick's shaft and blade can cup the puck (see Fig. 3 ).
- Slide the puck away from your opponent.
 Fig. 3 Using the curved area of the stick between the shaft and the blade, slide the puck away from the puck carrier |
The hook check is mainly used when attacking from behind. The negative aspect of the hook check is that if you miss the puck, the offensive player will easily be able to skate by you because your legs are no longer moving.
Sweep Check
The sweep check is most effective when the puck carrier is slightly in front or to your side. This check combines the skills of the poke and hook checks. The sweep check should be used when you are defending against a good puck-handler. Your objective is to simply separate him/her from the puck just like with the poke check. But instead of poking at the puck, you are sweep your stick along the ice using the curve between the shaft and the stick blade, forcing the offensive player to get rid of the puck.
- Once again, keep only the top hand on the stick.
- Bend one knee, in order to get your stick blade along the ice.
- Sweep your stick blade along the ice, using the curve of the stick to move the puck away from the offensive player (see Fig. 4 ).
 Fig. 4 Make sure you can successfully execute this maneuver, otherwise you will take yourself out of position. |
Remember your job is to hit the puck away from the puck carrier, not to gain control of it like with the hook check. You hope that once the offensive player is separated from the puck, one of your teammates can recover the loose puck.
Lift the Stick
Lifting the stick of your opponent is a very effective technique when you are coming from behind or slightly to the side of your opponent. You will find that you will be much more successful if your opponent is unaware of your presence.
- Slide your lower hand down the shaft of the stick to gain leverage on your opponent.
- Skate slightly in front of your opponent.
- Slide your stick under that of your opponent's - where the blade meets the shaft (see Fig. 5 ).
- Making a quick, hard thrust upward, lift the stick of your check (see Fig. 6 ).
- Once the stick of your opponent is off the ice, bring your stick down to take the puck away.
- As soon as the puck is recovered, skate away from your opponent.
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 Fig. 6 Lift the stick of your opponent off the ice with a quick, hard thrust upward |
It is very important to continue to skate through the check. It will be very difficult to maintain your position in front of your opponent if you stop skating and your opponent continues striding.
Stick Press
Just like the lifting the stick technique, the stick press is a good maneuver for a defensive player to use when in a tight one-on-one battle with a forward, especially in front of your net. Your goal with this technique is to prevent your check from receiving or executing a pass, shooting or picking up a loose puck.
- Once again, slide your bottom hand down the shaft of the stick to gain leverage on your opponent.
- Using the lower half of your stick, press down hard on the shaft of your opponent's stick. This will prevent him/her from moving their stick (see Fig. 7 ).
- Your ability to execute this skill depends on the positioning of your stick on your opponent's and how much pressure you can apply on the stick of your check.
 Fig. 7 Prevent your opponent from moving his/her stick by applying strong pressure down on the lower half of your opponent's stick. |
You will see many NHL defensemen using this technique when offensive players are parked in front of the net. One of the only ways to legally score goals is by a player using his/her stick to shoot or deflect the puck into the net. If you have their stick tied up, you are limiting their chances of success.
Hit the Stick
Hitting the stick is a good technique for offensive players to use when skating parallel with their check. Your objective is to hit the heel or the back half of your opponent's stick blade, forcing him/her to lose control of the puck.
Body Contact
There is more to the art of body contact than bone-crunching body checks. The games the Rink Rats play do does not allow full body checking.
CHECKING FROM BEHIND IS ILLEGAL WHETHER IT IS INTENTIONAL OR NOT. IF YOU CAN SEE THE OTHER PLAYERS NUMBER, YOU SHOULD NEVER CHECK!
REMEMBER, IF YOU CAN SEE THE PLAYER'S NUMBER STOP, DO NOT CHECK!
IF YOU CHECK FROM BEHIND, YOU MAY BE EJECTED FROM THE GAME.
Backchecking
Backchecking is defined as trying to hinder an opponent heading toward and into the defending zone. Your job as a defensive player is to either stop the attacking player from entering your zone or slow down his/her progress. There are different approaches to backchecking, one when the defensive player is covering an open player and the other when the offensive player has the puck.
Backchecking the Open Player
The key to backchecking an open man is to maintain an inside position, keeping your opponent to the outside area of the ice along the boards (see Fig. 8 ). Also, it is important to stay slightly ahead of your check in order to maintain your position between the player and the net (we spoke about this in the first part of the checking section). The one disadvantage of the inside position, however, is that it prevents the defensive player from watching both the puck and the player. To counter this, maintain a one stick length or less distance between you and your opponent (see Fig. 9 ).
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Fig. 9 |
Backchecking the Puck Carrier
Similar to the techniques for backchecking an open player, you want to maintain an inside position when attacking a player with the puck. We want to force the offensive player out of harm's way - away from the net and toward the boards. The key is to focus on the mid-section or hips of the attacking player and not the puck (see Fig. 10 ). You will find very quickly that if you concentrate on the puck instead of the player, the puck carrier will easily be able to deke around your check. Your goal is to continue to skate through the check and overtake the puck from your opponent (see Fig. 10 ).
 Fig. 10 Watch the body of your opponent, not the puck |
 Fig. 11 Skate your opponent off the puck |
Clear the Front of the Net
The key to effective defensive play is to maintain your position between your check and the net (see Fig. 12 ). This is especially true when your opponent is parked in front of the crease. Teams will often run plays which have at least one player in front of the net to disrupt the goaltender. It is your job to prevent this from happening. Clearing the front of the net requires a defensive player to not only keep an eye on the puck but also to be aware of where the offensive player is around the net. You have to know where your check is at all times on the ice. However, when your opponent is in front of the net, you also have to know where his/her stick is located. You do not want your check to have an opportunity to gain control of a loose puck or deflect a shot from the point. Utilizing one of the stick check skills such as the stick press or lifting the stick would be helpful in tying up your opponent's stick.
 Fig. 12 Position yourself between your check and the net when you are clearing the front of the crease |
Protecting Yourself from Receiving A Check Along the Boards
We all know it is better to give than receive, but inevitably in the game of hockey there will come a time when you will receive body contact of some sort. The best way to avoid body contact or at least lessen the effects is by keeping yourself alert on the ice. You will be able to react if you are aware of an oncoming check. If a check occurs as you are facing the boards, you should use the stick and your forearm to absorb the force (see Fig. 13 ). Another important point is to make sure your skates remain at least one foot from the boards. If your feet make contact with the boards you will be unable to maintain your balance and will most likely fall to the ice. However when the check comes from the side, try to absorb the force with the upper part of your forearm (see Fig. 14), not your shoulder or your head (see Fig. 15).
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 Fig. 14 When receiving a check from the side absorb the blow with the upper part of your forearm. |
 Fig. 15 Avoid hitting the boards with your shoulder or your head! |
Most hockey injuries occur as a result of body checking. Keep in mind the purpose of making contact with your opponent is to take him/her out of the play, not to injure.
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