Mr Jiggyfly
Registered User
- Jan 29, 2004
- 34,378
- 19,423
Very interesting, Jiggy. I didn't play hockey at a high enough level (and was a forward, at that) to have been coached to that degree, regarding those chips off the boards during an aggressive forecheck. While I know just what you are talking about, you are right -- that's a bit more subtle of a skill that I wouldn't immediately focus on or look for, when evaluating a young d-man. Thanks for pointing it out, and expanding my understanding of defensive subtleties that young players often struggle with...
I was a fwd as well, but I played defense when I was younger and would do it in a pinch when my teams needed me to.
You have to stay on your man, but you need to use your peripheral vision to see your outlets so you can quickly move the puck when it comes to you. If you wait to make that decision, you end up looking like DP does now.
There are just tons of little things you have to learn. If you are going to chase behind the net, always chase the man with the puck out on his backhand. Always focus on the chest, not the puck. Never show the entire length of your stick until you sucker the puck carrier in too close. The boards are your friend. Never give up the middle. Angle angle angle. If you have to go in transition when defending a rush, you are in trouble.
A lot of the game is played in your head like a chess match when you are on defense. You have to be thinking 2-3 steps ahead or you are going to get pissed on and look like a tool. It takes a supreme amount of confidence to play the position well, which is why DP looks to me like a guy who needs his swagger back.