CHECKING SKILLS

Introduction

• Children learn best when expectations are explained, demonstrated and practiced in a positive atmosphere

• Should be a logical progression

• Just like skating, passing , puck handling there is a logical progression to checking

Object of Checking Clinic• To provide logical progressions necessary for learning the skill of checking

• To enhance the safety of each player by ensuring that all those who play the game learn to give and receive body checks properly

• To emphasize the importance of playing and staying within the rules of the game

• To put a focus on players demonstrating respect for on another on the ice

Purpose of Checking?

To regain possession of the puck

Separate the puck from the puck carrier in a legal and safe manner

Delay or contain your opponent to enable your back checkers to

assist

Definitions–

• Contact Confidence: A players ability to play physical while maintaining safety in play

• Body Contact:Incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck or position on the ice in the same direction. just watch a female Canadian vs US Olympic Team…very, very physical

Body Contact

DefinitionsBody Checking :

A player’s attempt at gaining the advantage on an opponent with the use of the body. Checking results when two opposing players collide while skating in opposite directions or when positioning and angling allows the checker to use the force of the body to gain the advantage

Body Checking

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD CHECKER?

Skating Ability (speed, strength, balance and agility)

Anticipation

Positional ability

Read and React Skills

• Tenacity

• Desire

5 Step to Checking

• STEP 1 Skating and Agility

• STEP 2 Angling and Positioning

• STEP 3 Stick Checks

• STEP 4 Contact Confidence & Body Contact

• STEP 5 Body Checking

SKATING & AGILITY

Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget

Forward and Backwards Striding

Lateral Crossovers

Forward and Backwards Starts and Stops

Forward and Backward pivots

Edge Control

Stance, Posture, Balance & Agility

ANGLING & POSITIONG

Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget

Read and React / Stall and Contain

Low Control vs. Full Control

Shoulder Alignment – Inside / Outside

Protect the middle of the ice

Timing, Location, Gap Control

Stance, Posture, Balance & Agility

Puck Protection Skills

Receiving a Check / Contact Confidence

STICK CHECKS

Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget

Skating Skills, Posture & Balance

Stick on the ice – stick to stick checks

Poke Check

Hook Check

Sweep Check

Stick Lift & Stick Press

BODY CONTACT

Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget

Receiving a Check

Know the “Danger Zone”

Body Position

Stick on Stick/ Shoulder to Shoulder

Pinning

Shoulder alignment (inside to outside)

Do not push, shove, or change direction into the

opposition

BODY CHECKING

Bantam/Midget

Block Check

Shoulder Check

Hip Check

Pinning

Blocking hips

Receiving a Body Check

Position and Angling • Angling can be considered the first line of defense for a player. Body and stick positions are important in checking without making contact

•Angling is the ability to force your opponent to go in the direction that you want. This normally would be towards the boards or outside of the checker

•Key Points of Angling

•Players should remain between puck carrier and the pass receiver, gradually reducing the puck carrier’s speed•Players should skate parallel to the opponent or in an arc or circular movement-not in a straight line•Players should skate slightly behind the opponent, thus not allowing the opponent to cut back•Players need to control their skating so they can adjust speed as their opponents speed changes•A players stick should always be in a position to steer the opponent and to intercept passes

STICK CHECKS• Stick checking may be considered the second line of defense as angling forces the opposition to a position where contact can be made with the stick

•When a player stick checks, he/she must maintain control of both their stick and the opponents stick.

•Five stick checking techniques include:•Poke Check•Sweep Check•Tap Check•Lift Check•Press Check

•Stick checks are effective to:•Delay the advancement of the opposition•Force a loss of puck control by the opposition•Control the puck yourself or gain position for one of your teammates

Contact Confidence & Body Contact

•The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Checked

•Don’t get caught in danger zone---stay close to the boards

•Know where your opponents are

•Use your hands and arms as a cushion

•Keep your head up

•Turn the body so shoulders hit first

BODY CHECKING•Skills need for body checking are a combination of the first three steps that we have reviewed

•The checker must be a strong skater with particularly good balance on their skates.

•The fundamental skills of body checking are:•Skating•Position & Angling•Stick Checks•Contact Confidence•Body Contact•Body Checking

Requirements for Clinic

• One hour of class room time

• One hour of ice time with players in protective gear less skates

• 3 hours of on ice, which can be 3 one hour sessions or 2 sessions at 1.5 hours.

Conclusion

• It is important that the checking skills pyramid be implemented with minor hockey associations

• Reinforcement of skills so transition from contact to checking is seamless

• Proper training for all coaches at all levels to translate skills to checking

Contact Information

• HNS Office 902-454-9400

• www.hockeynovascotia.ca

• bshort@hockeynovascotia.ca

• Twitter @billshort7