TAKE AWAY THE MIDDLE.™ Angle the Puck Carrier instead of chasing directly at the puck. Coach Joey™ teaches defenders to protect dangerous ice and guide the attack toward a less useful route.
COACH JOEY™ BY AGE
U5-U7 • U8-U10 • U11-U14 • U15-U18 • Junior
U5-U7 + U8-U10 — Stay Between Player and Net
Skate so you remain between the puck carrier and your net. Do not race past the Player just trying to steal the puck.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Where should you try to stay when defending?
U11-U14 — Guide the Puck Outside
Match the attacker’s speed, keep a useful gap, and use your angle to make the middle harder to reach.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What area are you usually trying to protect first?
U15-U18 + Junior — Control the Route
Read speed, support, handedness, and available space. Use your feet and stick together to influence where the puck carrier can go.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
What is the goal of advanced angling?
Why Angling Beats Chasing
Angle the Puck Carrier – Chasing directly at a puck carrier can open the middle or allow an easy cutback. Angling protects dangerous ice while reducing options.
Use Your Stick as Part of the Angle
Your stick can discourage a pass or force the puck toward one side. Meanwhile, your feet must keep you in position.
Close at the Right Time
First control the route. Then close when the puck carrier runs out of room, loses speed, or exposes the puck.
5 Smart Ways to Angle the Puck Carrier
Angle the Puck Carrier by controlling the route before trying to steal the puck. Good angling reduces dangerous choices and can force the attacker toward the boards, a teammate, or a smaller area of ice.
1. Protect the Middle First
The middle of the ice usually offers the attacker more passing and shooting options. Start from a position that discourages the puck carrier from cutting into the most dangerous space.
2. Match Speed Before Closing
If you rush directly at a faster Player, one cutback can beat you. Control your speed, stay balanced, and close the distance as the attack becomes more predictable.
3. Use Your Stick to Remove an Option
Your stick can discourage a pass, protect the inside lane, or pressure the puck. Use it as part of the angle rather than reaching so far that your feet stop working.
4. Keep Your Shoulders and Hips Under Control
To Angle the Puck Carrier effectively, avoid turning too early. Stay in a position that lets you continue skating and respond if the attacker changes speed or direction.
5. Close When the Route Runs Out
The best time to pressure may come when the puck carrier reaches the boards, loses speed, looks down, or exposes the puck. First control the route. Then attack the opportunity.
Practice Hockey Angling With Purpose
Set up a narrow lane and ask the defender to protect the middle without attacking immediately. Give the puck carrier room to move, then reward the defender for steering the rush into less dangerous ice while maintaining a useful gap.
Continue with Backcheck Better and Reset After a Mistake. For more development material, visit USA Hockey training materials.
Coach Joey’s Takeaway
Defend the dangerous ice first. TAKE AWAY THE MIDDLE.™
Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lesson™
TAKE AWAY THE MIDDLE.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
Part of Coach Joey™ 10-Second Hockey Lessons™. Presented by The Hockey Resource™.