Tips on Playing the Front of the Net (5 on 5)

Some people don't need tips playing in front of the net. These people are generally 6'9, 255 lbs, and born in Slovakia. Defensively the thing is, while most defensemen shouldn't have trouble clearing the little kid out of the front of the net, sometimes there are two little kids. Or a big kid. Or worse, two big kids. Even somebody like Chara wouldn't be able to manhandle Byufuglien and Anthropov at the same time. And what happens when Chara turns into Dan Boyle? Playing the front of the net isn't as simple as pushing somebody away. This post isn't just about pushing someone out of the way though. It has to do with how to play the front of the net in general, depending on the play, and using everything to your advantage. For example, what is the point of standing in front of the net, screening the goalie, when there is nobody to clear out of the front of the net? Offensively, it's important too. As a defenseman, I'm thinking "Why do I need to be in front of the net?" Well, my playing style brings me to the front of the net sometimes. When I sneak into the zone, the point isn't to just sprint back to the blue line. Defensemen have to start getting more comfortable playing where a forward usually plays. It usually doesn't backfire. Look how well players like Brent Burns and Dustin Byufuglien transitioned to defense, just because they are comfortable playing as a forward. When a defenseman carries the puck up, they don't just have to pass it and get back to defense. They can pass it and crash the net and play the front of the net instead. So without further ado, let the tips begin.

On defense, playing the front of the net is an important skill. It's easy as long as you stay alert. Remember to have your head on a swivel, always. If someone is going Tomas Holmstrom in front of the net, as in standing in front of the goalie to screen them, first check back-door. That doesn't mean back-door immediately in front of the net. This means back door all the way up to the top of the circle. If someone is crashing back door, you have to make that person a priority. If no one is back door (And no, the corner is not back door, but you should keep an eye on someone in the corner), then move onto the person in front of the net. If you can, meaning you have the position on the other player, put your stick on their back and give a little push. Try to get them square in the back though, because if you focus on one of their sides more than the other, they can roll off of you. It's not cross-checking unless you start the motion with the stick not on the person. If the stick is on the person and you just give a little push, you won't get a penalty. If you're in a one ref game though, and the ref isn't looking, go all out on a cross-check to the back though, because it hurts like hell and may draw a penalty. If you can't push the person out of the way, start working on their legs. Give a slash or two on the toe of their skate or the back of their calves, and chances are they'll get distracted. Also, use your extensive vocabulary. In front of the net in a big game, I turn into Sean Avery. If you get slashed or something, fall down and try to draw a penalty if the puck isn't in a scoring position. Really, you should be trying to draw a penalty as much as you are trying to move the other player while tying them up. If they are immune to Sean Avery tactics however, and you can't move them, switch over to simply lifting their stick from behind them. You don't want to stand next to them and help screen your own goalie. Also, you should limit your activity in front of the net (Except for the talking) to when the player actually is a factor in front of the net. You shouldn't cross check the other player when the puck is tied up in the corner and there is no way it's getting to the front of the net. Usually you save that for when someone is setting up with the puck, shooting, or when the puck is at the point or in the slot. Also, once again, head on a swivel. If you see someone crashing back-door, or someone snuck out from the corner and set up back door, or if someone sets up high in the slot, that person is the priority, until the shot comes. That means go in a position where you can easily intercept a pass to them while staying as close to the person in front of the net as you can (Unless that person is already covered). If your team is functioning properly, whoever left the person high/back-door in the first place should cover the guy in front of the net for you. If no one is in front of the net for you to cover, you should cover the person nearest to the net not already covered. Try not to go into the corners though your defensive partner is already there. If you get caught in the corner with your d-partner, and someone sneaks in the high slot or back door, things can turn ugly. If everyone is covered, and the person who should be in front of the net on the other team isn't there, and there is no one back-door (Remember up to the top of the circle) you should be around the hash marks on the strong side, ready to either go back to cover for the person who lost in the corner, or to join in on the breakout. If the puck comes up to one of the wingers on your team, you are close enough so that you can swing and act as a center, making the rush start a couple of seconds early. If the puck is lost to the other team down low, you're in perfect position to intercept a pass to the weak side defenseman on the other team, step up and prevent someone from going to the net, or to cover someone who decides to crash back-door. If the puck is thrown around the net, you are in a good position to skate far side hash mark on the other circle and let the puck meet you there (You don't want to chase the puck, so it's easier to look around for the play while waiting for the puck, rather than looking at the puck chasing it, wasting energy and time). For the third time, the most important rule in front of the net is to be aware, so head on a swivel. If when you're on the hash mark, if you notice someone on the other team backing away from the corner to the front of the net, be ready to jump on them in case they get a pass (You should be close enough to them if they do get out of the corner that you can get to them faster than they get a pass.) Also, if the puck is dumped into the zone, and your defensive partner gets to it first, stay around the hashmarks and watch out for anybody coming into the zone late. If you get too far back in the zone, they might get a good chance. A good rule of thumb for playing anywhere in the defensive zone is to stay as high as possible in the zone while still covering your man.

Now for the offensive side of playing the front of the net. As a defenseman, this only applies to me a few seconds each game (Unless my coach puts me on offense for the power play, which happens sometimes), but might as well maximize those few seconds. First of all, if the puck goes to the point, or is in a scoring position for whoever has it, step in front of the goalie and screen him. Feel free to talk to the goalie and any defensemen who tie you up as well. If the puck isn't in a scoring position, fade away up into the mid to high slot back-door. If you get the puck there, you get a gift-wrapped goal, barring the goalie turning into Tim Thomas. If you're being covered, you should try to move to the side , using the other defenseman as a screen, and hopefully to get into a position to roll off of them (Try to move to the slot, so if you get the puck, you get a better chance then you would horizontal to the net. If there's a rebound, don't hesitate to hit to the net no matter where it is (Unless you get it while crashing the net, when you have more time). When crashing the net, go straight for the goalie 100%. If he has the puck covered, give him a snow shower, and hope he gets up a little in retaliation. If the puck comes out, be a little patient unless you can guarantee a goal and wait a second to move a bit and pick a corner. If you crash and someone covers you, run them (Unless it's the goalie). Make it look like they hit into you though, so you don't get a penalty (That means don't drop your shoulder or lift your arms too much; also, make sure you don't hit them head-to-head.)

Breakdown: (Defense)

• Head on a swivel.
• Remember that back-door extends all the way to the top of the circle.
• Make sure you're not covering your goalie too
• Use the English language. 
• Try to draw penalties.
• If circumstances favor you covering someone in front of the net, try to push them with your stick (Try not to knock them down); if the ref isn't looking, unleash a cross-check on them.
• If you can't push someone, slash them around the ankles, toe, back of the calf, wherever.
• If this doesn't work, lift their stick.
• Head on a swivel.
• Chill when the puck isn't getting to the front of the net, but remember to talk.
• Head on a swivel.
  
• If your d-partner is in the corner and no one is in front of the net, stay near the hash-marks.
• Don't sink too far into the zone when covering the front of the net on a dump-in: stay near the hash-marks when you can. 

 Breakdown: (Offense) 

• Screen the goalie when the puck is in a position to be shot.
• Talk to the goalie and defensemen who tie you up.
• Fade away up into the mid slot back-door while the puck isn't in scoring position.
• Move to the side (Preferably to the slot) when you're being covered, and try to roll off of the other defenseman.
• When in front of the net, get the rebound to the net as fast as possible.
• When crashing, if the goalie covers the puck, give him a little snow shower.
• When crashing, take time to pick corners if you get a rebound, unless you're sure you'll score.
• If a defenseman gets a body on you when you're crashing, run him, but make it look like he tried to hit you.

Tips on Playing the Point

There are many different types of players, especially on defense. These players can be grouped into broader catagories, mainly offensive players and defensive players. The biggest difference between these two types of players is that offensive players are smarter in the offensive zone and usually start the rush, while defensive players are smarter in the defensive zone and usually stop the rush. The ideal defenseman is somewhere between these types of players. In order to be in the middle of these two playing styles, you must know how to play in the offensive zone, which most defensemen don't know how to do. Unfortunately, a lot of forwards haven't realized the benefits of passing the puck to the point. So a defenseman must learn how to play the point by themself. Players like Mark Streit and Andrei Markov are considered two of the best power-play defensemen because of their hard shots and their offensive intelligence. Sometimes a team will put a forward on the point, especially if they lack offensively-intelligent defensemen (New Jersey Devils). Playing the point is an all the time thing though, and it's more important to know how to play the point when both teams have all of their players.Teams may change their forecheck, and it's advisable to listen to your coaches, but this post is for a team with an aggressive forecheck, or at least for aggressive defensemen.

The first rule of playing the point is to be aggressive when you can. Try to play low in the zone (If you ever have a chance to watch Niklas Kronwall on the Red Wings, do it, because he's good at staying low in the offensive zone.) You should try to be around the top of the circle, not at the blue line. If you see a chance to step up when you're on the strong side, do it. The best time to step up is when you're playing the point, and the winger/center on the other team is about to get a breakout pass. A good rule of thumb is don't do it unless there are at least three people down low on the other team in the zone though (Low means below bottom of circle with little momentum, in corner, or in front of the net with no momentum). If you're not going to step up and take the puck, at least try to gap up and get a stick-length away (Or two just to be safe). You shouldn't step up if you're more than two strides away also (Except under certain circumstances). Read the play; that means if there are two people on your side when you want to step up, and you are the only person on your side, even if you have support in the center, don't step up. When you step up, make sure if you can't get the puck, get the body. That means tie the person up, him them, whatever, as long as they don't pass you. If the puck is shot around the boards, try to meet it a low as possible in the zone, rather than at the blue line. Also remember your goal in stepping up is to keep your team on the attack. If you get the puck, even if you have no time, don't just dump it back in, control the puck. Eat it along the boards and get some help, or skate to open ice, or make a pass to an open person (Be wary of passing to your D-partner though).  The point is to stay on the attack, not give the other team a breakout. If you can, cut to the slot (With your head up) and take a low, hard wrist shot. Defensemen have to also remember to step up even if there isn't an intended recipient of the pass, meaning that the other team just wapped the puck around the boards. Usually you should be able to get to the puck in the corner, and you should have some time to do something with it. If you do step up, the forwards should cover the point. The way to look at the offensive zone forecheck is that there are three "active" attackers and two "passive" ones. The passive ones are the ones on the point, and the goal is to get them into the play. The offensive zone is really just a cycle, where the three active attackers attack, and if one gets beat one of the passive attackers (Who are kind of in reserve) step up and make sure that whoever has the puck is pressured and covered. When they do step up in place of a forward, someone has to go back into "reserve" to cover for them. Remember that the first pass to the wingers/center usually beats the attackers, and that usually means step up. When someone on your team has the puck, and  you are weak side, get open for a pass as close to the net as possible without being covered (Use your discretion). If you get the pass, shoot it hard and crash the net, then skate back to the point when the puck goes to the corner or is covered by the goalie. The hardest person to cover in front of the net is the defenseman who times the play just right enough to get the puck and get into scoring position at the same time. Remember, you should try to be open for a pass at all times without being irresponsible defensively. Depending on where all of the other players are on the ice, you should have a large area or a little to work with. And if your team has the puck, you can work with a lot more ice, so keep possession. Now that what you do when you don't have the puck is out of the way, it's time to focus on what to do when you have the puck. First off, if you have an open lane, take a couple of strides and take a hard, low wrist shot. Don't take a slap shot unless you are on the powerplay (And have time) or have a really hard slapshot. If you don't have an open lane, your first look should be back door. If someone is open, don't hesitate to make a hard pass. If it looks like no one is open, remember you can bank it off or around the boards. You don't want to throw the puck back into the corner, because then you're throwing it back into traffic. Same rule applies in the neutral zone and defensive zone; you generally don't want to put the puck back to where you got it from. If you get a pass from the corner, don't put it back there unless you have no other choice. If no one is open back door, look to your defensive partner. If he's covered, make a decision between skating it and adapting to what happens, or dumping it into the corner (Preferrably to the weak side corner). It's always a good idea to keep your feet moving on the point, and use as much ice as possible. When taking a shot, shoot it low, and try to get it back door where hopefully someone can deflect it. Also, look for the open area's when it seems no one's open (See post on passing)

Breakdown:

• Stay low in the zone
• Play aggressively on the point
• Step up when you can, but only when three people are down low on the other team
• When you get the puck, don't just throw it away, do something with it
• Time the play when you are weak side to get a pass in scoring position
• Take low, quick wrist shots in liu of hard, high slapshots
• Look back door, and to your D-partner
• Keep your feet moving, and use all available ice
• You should try to be open for a pass at all times without being irresponsible defensively

Tips on Passing

Passing is one of the hardest things to do. Therefore, playmakers are one of the most valuable players on their team. When I say passing is hard, I mean passing well. The difference between an average pass and a good pass is that a good pass can be easily controlled by the other player. Playmakers have to be unselfish, because somebody else looks good for their own work. For example, look at Joe Thornton, one of the best passers to ever play the sport. When Johnathan Cheechoo was paired with Joe Thornton, he went from 25+ goal scorer to a 50+ goal scorer. Just because Joe Thornton can set up anybody for a pass. Another example of a great playmaker was Paul Kariya. Playing with Teemu Selanne, he helped Selanne become a legitimate 50 goal scorer. After starting his first NHL season on fire with 76 goals, Selanne slowed down to a 40 goal scorer. When he was paired with the great playmaker Kariya, he would have two 50+ goal seasons, one 47 goal season, then a couple of 30 goal seasons. Point is, Kariya was a major reason for those 50 goal seasons. Good playmakers need the vision, need the hands, and need the desire to win.

My first tip is the most important; if you ignore it, you WILL get decked. Simply put, know what's in front of you. As a defenseman, I like to carry the puck up as I look for the breakout pass. However, I always know what's in front of me. When I carry the puck up before the pass, I skate in the direction I am looking. That way, I don't get blindsided often. Most big hits on defensemen occur when a defenseman is skating the puck up, but is not looking forward. That way, they get leveled while they are looking for the recipient of the pass. The same can be said for forwards in the neutral zone. So skate in the direction you are looking (A glance doesn't count as looking, and you can keep your head on a swivel if you can handle it) and get rid of the pass quickly. Remember not to force the pass though. If the passing lane is blocked, don't make the pass. And remember: if you have the space, rush the puck. Don't force yourself to pass to a certain person. Instead, look at that pass as one option, with others including skate the puck up farther, pass to a different person, dump the puck into the offensive zone, etc. When you make a pass, remember the Gretzky rule. That is, pass hard onto the stick if the other player isn't moving, and softer leading passes when the other player is moving. Not softer leading passes as in 10 feet in front of your intended recipient at 5 mph. Softer as in only about softer, not soft. If the other player is moving, and you can't make a safe, softer leading pass, you are forcing the pass. When you make the pass, if you can, call out the other player's name. Hopefully the other team doesn't know it, but your teammate will know it. Make sure to use the boards if nothing is open. Passing off the boards, when done correctly, confuses defensive players since they can't step up and make a hit right away. Avoid passing through the slot, and if you really need to make cross-ice passes, skate to the slot before you make the slot. Just be prepared to get hit. After you make a pass, don't stare at it; go. Dennis Potvin did give and go's better than anyone, and he's someone you should want to imitate. Skate hard after making a pass. If you make a breakout pass, take a hard stride or two, and judge whether or not you can join the rush without much risk or getting in the way. If it's a 3-on-3, jump up, but if it's a 3-on-2, don't. Really if it's already an odd man rush, you should generally stay back, though you can sometimes jump up to make a 2-on-1 a 3-on-1. When you make a pass, roll the puck across your blade; this keeps the puck flat on the ice, and makes it easier to catch. Follow through on the pass, and point the toe of your blade to where you want the pass to go. When you make a pass, don't hit the puck. Instead, slide the puck off of your blade to where you want it to go. And flex your stick when you do it. Even if you're making a softer leading pass, that doesn't mean you can pass like a 3 year old. Put some power on it by flexing your stick, but don't overdo it. This makes it easier to receive for the other player. Likewise, when receiving the pass, don't let the puck hit into your stick. Instead, receive the pass by bringing your stick in closer to you. You should know what to do anyway, it's hard to explain. Basically like reversing the motion you make when you're making the pass. When making a touch-pass, don't just slap the puck back. Receive it a little, and quickly pass it back forward. While in the motion, roll the puck across your blade a little so it stays flat. As for the exciting saucer pass, well, I'm not good at those. All I know about them is that you position your stick like you are going to take a flip shot, roll the puck across your stick, and point with your heel. Recently, I also figured out two more things about passing. First of all, it's beneficial to change the point of release before making a pass (What!?) In English, you can open up a ton of passing lanes if you move the puck before you pass. If someone's not open because of a defending player, move the puck about two feet back with your stick before making the pass and it will be much harder to defend. Or maybe switch to your backhand then make the pass; it really depends on the situation. The second thing is an extension of the Gretzky rule; it's almost exclusively for the offensive zone, but it can be for anywhere on the ice really. When I look for a pass now, I don't just look for open people; I look for big areas of open ice. Even if no one is there, if you make a pass at the right speed and in the right spot, you can give them a perfect pass; here is a decent example. Notice how Tanguay sees the gap between the Edmonton defenders, and throws the puck there; Bouwmeester was already kind of there, but if Bouwmeester was another 3-4 feet up he still could've thrown the puck to the same area with the same result if he made the pass a little softer. Basically you should look for those open spaces.

What a third paragraph? That's right, three paragraphs, a first. The third paragraph has to do with a different part of passing though; getting open for a pass. Great players can dictate other players without the puck. Gretzky almost forced his teammates to pass to him because he was always open. On the defensive side, players like Brian Leetch forced other players to go where he wanted them to. Then, when that play would receive a pass, Leetch would step up and intercept the pass, or poke the puck away. On the hitting side, any time you angle someone off, you force them to go where you want them to, whether you know it or not. Most big hits happen because a player forces another player into a vulnerable position. But lets focus on getting open for the pass. Like with the second paragraph in this post, the first tip is the most important. When you're getting open, pay attention to your surroundings, not just the puck carrier. You don't have to stare at the puck carrier to get a pass, just glance at him or call out for a pass. Instead, focus on not getting hit as soon as you get the puck. Hitters like myself like to step up and hit someone as they receive the pass because that's when their head is usually down. When the forward knows the hitter's there though, the hitters job becomes much, much harder. Second, let the other player know you're there. Call out their name loudly, but don't slam your stick on the ground. Calling out the other player's name can only be heard, not heard and seen, so you can get away with it more often. Also, who knows, maybe you'll break your stick slamming it on the ice that hard. Make yourself a good recipient of the pass by not making sudden stops, turns, etc when you're already in a good position for a pass.

Breakdown

• When making a pass, skate in the direction you are looking.
• Don't be afraid to lead the rush.
• Don't force a pass.
• Remember the Gretzky rule.
• Call the name of the player you want to pass to.
• Use the boards when you can.
• Skate towards the slot if you're making a cross-ice pass.
• Skate hard after a pass; don't stare.
• Flex your stick when you pass; don't pass like a baby.
• It's beneficial to change the point of release before making a pass.
• Look for the open spaces, not just the open players.
• Receive a pass, don't stop it.
• Force other players where you want them to go, even if you don't have the puck (Dictate the play.)
• Be aware of your surroundings while receiving a pass.