I've been fearing the day I had to post this for days. I knew this would be a very long post; after all, there are so many types of rushes. 1 on 1, 2 on 1, 1 on 2, 3 on 1, 3 on 2, etc. So I decided to stick with defending the 1 on 1, 2 on 1, 2 on 2, 3 on 1, and 3 on 2, and nothing else. Just know that this took me almost an hour to type, so appreciate it. And unlike a skill like shooting, rushes have no set rules. There are guidelines, but they are JUST GUIDELINES. That means don't follow them word for word every time. Remember them, but react according to what is happening on the rush. Rushes are what defensemen love. A lot. Defensemen always seem to go on the line that defends the rush instead of the line that is on the rush at practice. However, they don't realize a few simple things that can make defending the rush easier. For example, they always seem to focus on the puck or puck carrier, and don't read what is going to happen in a few seconds. I'll start with the 1 on 1 first.
The 1 on 1 is the easiest rush to defend. Ever. It is actually easier for the defenseman to defend a 1 on 1 than for the forward to win a 1 on 1. The first rule of a one on one is to focus on the logo of the other player. People learn this at a young age, but don't know why you should focus on the logo. That is because it helps you play physically, which you can't do as a mite. Of course, looking at the logo also helps you not get fooled by dekes. Next, you should use gap control. This means skate up, and get close enough to hit the other players stick with your stick. It's not too close, which I think gapping up to be able to get your stick behind the other player is (that's what I learned when I was younger. Also when you gap up, you should be as close to the middle of the ice as possible. A good rule of thumb is that you should never pass the dots (Unless if the other person is fumbling the puck). Never is a bad word, because it is limiting, but it's more like 95% of the time never pass the dots. If you are playing against someone bigger than you, then you should stay closer to the slot then they are, but stay close enough to step up and stop them. For smaller guys, you can give them the outside, but if you give a bigger guy the outside, they can muscle their way to the slot and get a good scoring chance. So you should be able to step up and slow them down, or even better knock them down to keep them away from the net. When you're playing against someone who skates forward faster than you skate backwards (which happens often,) give them room on the outside. But stay in the middle of the ice. You should gap up though, even though you may not be able to reach them on the outside. They should be perpendicularly vertical to you at the hashmarks if you gap up properly. However, for them to get a good scoring chance, they need to cut into the slot, where you're already guarding. And if they cut up, you can slow down and play them. If you see them at the hashmarks, you should start stopping so you don't hit your goalie, and look for trailers. If the player with the puck tries to cut behind you, lay them out. If they try to deke, just keep them out of the slot, giving them a shot, but not from the slot. When you're playing against someone on a one on one where you are gapped up and can reach the puck, you should poke check the puck (Not wild poke checks, but enough to keep them focused on the puck.) When they drop their head, you should be close enough to explode into them and level them, or at least push them with your hand. Remember when you skate backwards to keep your outside hand up, and don't be afraid to use that hand. Even if you're on the boards, use that hand to push them into the boards. If you're playing a one on one against someone who refuses to move from the slot, slow down when you're near the top of the circle so they get closer to you, and level them as soon as they're within reach. Also remember to be aware of backcheckers from your team. If they cut to the outside when they're close enough to be touched by your free hand, step in front of them, get low, and hit or flip them. You really need to be physical to be successful. Remember when you poke-check or go to hit to not lose your square to the puck-carrier. Square basically is facing them. If you poke-check and they get around you, you should be able to put a body on them. Also remember to use common sense, since these aren't rules but more of tips or guidelines. Don't follow these word for word.
Next is the two on one. On a two on one, gap up on the puck carrier before the blue line and throw a pokecheck or body check on them at the blue line where they can't pass, but don't commit to them. Don't gap up though if the person without the puck ends up behind you. Once you get into the zone, stay in the slot. Don't let the player with the puck in the slot, but don't commit to them. Put your stick in the passing lane between the two players you're facing on the rush. If the puck carrier tries to cut into the slot, leave your stick in the passing lane, but hit the puck carrier when they get close enough to you (Don't skate into him, let him skate into you). Also, try to slow down the play as much as possible so backcheckers can help you out. Try to learn to dictate a play without the puck. Try to make the player with the puck make a pass so you can intercept it. Then jump up and carry the puck up. That way for a short time you outnumber the other team 5 to 3. Also remember to use common sense, since these aren't rules but more of tips or guidelines. Don't follow these word for word.
Now for the two on two. Simply put, if you are playing the player with the puck, call out to your defensive partner (Communication), and play it like a one on one. If you're playing the player without the puck, stay in between the player with the puck and player without the puck while staying as close as possible to the middle of the ice. If the player with the puck passes to the free man, pressure him as much as possible if you can't intercept the pass. And if the puck carrier cuts into the slot with his head down, level him. Also remember to use common sense, since these aren't rules but more of tips or guidelines. Don't follow these word for word.
Next is the three on one. This is the toughest one to play. Gap up before the blue line like it was a two on one. But then as soon as the puck crosses over into your zone, get to the slot. Your goal is to stall the play as much as possible. Meaning keep the puck out of the slot. Usually players on a three on one go into a triangle. If this is the case, stay in the middle of the triangle. Make sure the high man does not get the puck, he has the most options if he does. Don't play the puck carrier unless he tries to shoot or cut into the slot. If the players don't go into a triangle and instead go into a straight line. Play the puck carrier only if he's the middle man. If he's not, just make sure you're in front of the middle player, and make sure the weak side winger doesn't sneak behind you and cut into the slot since you can't hit him if he does since he doesn't have the puck. Also remember to use common sense, since these aren't rules but more of tips or guidelines. Don't follow these word for word.
Next is the three on two, which is my favorite. The player defending the puck carrier plays a one on one with him, and tells his defensive partner he is playing the puck carrier. The player playing against the two players without the puck stays in the middle of the two possible passing lanes the puck carrier has, while staying as close to the middle of the ice as possible. If the puck carrier cuts in, level him like on a two on one. Also remember to use common sense, since these aren't rules but more of tips or guidelines. Don't follow these word for word all the time.
Breakdown
- Not happening. Read the post.
