I am coaching a U16 boys team and our forwards are very good, fast and skilled. But our defensemen are our achilles heal. Bless them all, but we are slow, get beat often on the 1-1 and the D-men also panic during the forecheck, any suggestions would be appreciated.
1. Have the D focus on staying D side and angle the attack to the boards and into the corner.
2. F1 gives back pressure to create a defensive 2-1.
3. Practice the Murdoch breakout sequences.
4. Play the Continuous 1-1 and 2-1 transition game but have the attacker dump the puck in and forecheck and your D practice working together under pressure.
5.Tell your D you want them to beat the first forechecker. When they try this they are moving automatically. Then they can decide if they can tight turn up ice or do D to D etc. The key is those first 3 strides and then get the puck between the dots and not skate at the winger and then pass to him into the forecheck pressure.
Have you looked at the Minnesota Hockey resources mentioned on the home page? They have a video there titled "Developing Defenseman" which is great. Check it out here:
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