Information AboutDefenceman (hockey) |
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In regular play there are two defencemen and three forwards on the ice along with the Goaltender . Defencemen are generally divided into two rough groups. A "stay at home" defenceman is primarily a defender who takes few risks but does not score much, preferring to focus on defending against the opposing team. An offensive defenceman is one who does get aggressively involved in his or her team's offence and scores more often as a result. The drawback to this strategy is that it tends to lead to more breakaways by the other team as the defenceman is more likely to be too deep in the other team's zone to get back in time to help on defence if the other team gains control of the puck. These players are usually big and burly, like Chris Pronger . Most defence players are 6'0" to 6' 7" and 200-250 pounds. Ottawa Senators defenseman Zdeno Chára , who as of 2006 is the tallest player in National Hockey League (NHL) history, stood 6'9" and weighed 260 pounds. The greatest defenceman in NHL history is often considered to be Bobby Orr who surprisingly managed to win scoring titles while playing defence. Each year the NHL presents the Norris Trophy to the best defenceman. Defensive Zone Play When in the defensive zone, the defenceman is responsible for keeping the opposing forwards' opportunities to a minimum when they are on a rush, forcing them to the corners and blocking both passing and shooting lanes. When the opposing offence is putting pressure on the defenceman's team, the defenceman usually plays closer to the goal, attempting again to block shooting lanes but also ensure that the goalie is not screened (prevented from being able to see the puck at all times). Neutral Zone Play In the neutral zone, the defenceman hangs back towards his own blue line, usually playing the puck up to his teammates. According to Jay Leach, who writes for NHL.com's "learn to play hockey" section, the defenceman must "Move the puck hard and quick to the open man. Join the rush, Offensive Zone Play In the offensive zone, the defenceman "play the blue line." It is their duty to keep the puck in the offensive zone by stopping it from crossing the blue line that demarcates where the offensive zone begins. Defencemen must be quick to pass the puck around, helping their forwards to open up shooting lanes, or taking open shots themselves when they become available. The defencemen must also be able to skate quickly to cut off any breakaways, moving themselves back into the defensive zone ahead of the onrushing opponent. Essentially in all three zones of the rink, the defenceman is the backstop for the puck. It should never go behind him unless he lets it. He keeps the momentum of play squarely directed towards the opposing goal. Backchecking The backcheck is a play in hockey where a non-defenceman moves back to play defence by keeping an opposing player out of a play through means of stick control and body positioning. Faceoff s During faceoffs in the defensive zone, most teams have their defencemen pair up with opposing forwards to tie them up while leaving the team's forwards open to move the puck, though this is at the discretion of the individual coach. In the offensive zone, the defenceman acts in his usual role, keeping control of the puck as the forwards fight for position. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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