DEFENSIVE CONCEPTS PRESENTED 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 Presidents 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 Mens 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 %

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 Dont 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 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

The Execution Share your Vision Consistent Message Constant and Reinforced Accountability Success – Build the Belief