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March 5, 2007
NG010
Avoiding Clutching and Grabbing
You have just successfully killed off a two minute minor for holding and as the culprit comes to the bench
you explain to him “You can’t put your hand on the player…you can’t reach in like that”. The response is
simple and to the point “What should I do instead coach?” Not knowing the answer you take a quick drink from
the water and call for the next line up.
So how do we teach our players what TO do not what NOT TO do? The first step is to design drills that
provide players opportunities for success. When it comes to teaching proper checking technique this begins
with reducing the space and pace that the offensive player works within so that the defender has better
opportunity for success. Take the following drill for example.
 - Players should pair
up with a player of similar skating skill
- Player 1 skates (at half to three quarter speed) along the boards making starts and stops and changes of
direction
- Player 2 must control skate and mirror Player 1 keeping the player to the outside in the "bad
ice"
So what would be the key teaching points in a drill like this? Coaches should highlight to the defender:
- The stick extended in front to take away passing lane in game situation
- Be in the players “hip pocket” so that they cannot turn back
- Control the hips and stick when finishing the check
The use of these terms keep the drill focused on what the player should be doing in the situation. Once
the players have had success in this situation coaches can add speed but still utilize the boards to decrease
the space for offensive evasion. The following sequences would provide players with this opportunity:
- Player without the puck positions with various gaps from O who has the puck
- On whistle, defender-skates quickly and controlled and steers O in desired direction
- Defender drives body between O and puck - aim for the stick shaft
- Separate O from the puck
Through effective drill design coaches can ensure that players are properly executing the skill and have fun
and success while doing it.
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