Angling and gap control

Setup

1. Full equipment for everyone: helmet with full cage, mouthguard, neck guard, gloves, elbow and shoulder pads, pants, shin guards and skates. The goaltender is in full goalie gear.
2. Attackers (P) line up with pucks on the top side, just inside the neutral zone. Defenders (X) line up at the bottom boards between the red line and the far blue line. The goaltender is in the far net.
3. Contact level: body contact, not body checking. Angling, stick on puck and shoulder-to-shoulder rubbing along the boards are allowed. No hits, nothing from behind, nothing to the head, no pushing anyone into the boards.

How it runs

1. The attacker carries up the top side. The defender skates across and turns to skate backwards in front of them, inside the attacker's line.
2. The defender matches the attacker's speed and closes the gap to about a stick's length as they reach the blue line.
3. Inside the zone the defender angles: skating on the inside shoulder, stick on the puck, steering the attacker towards the boards and away from the net.
4. The defender finishes by rubbing out along the boards shoulder to shoulder and taking the puck. If the attacker gets inside, they can shoot on a ready goaltender.
5. Reps last about 10–15 seconds. Swap roles each time, and rest with water between rounds.

Coaching points

• Gap: close it as the attacker comes in; a big gap gives them time and room.
• Stay inside: defender's body between the attacker and the net.
• Lead with the stick on the puck, then bring the body; the stick takes away the inside lane.
• Finish with the shoulder and hip alongside the attacker, both players facing the same way, never from behind.

Common mistakes

• Backing off to the net and giving up the blue line.
• Charging straight at the puck so the attacker cuts back inside.
• Turning a rub-out into a hit, or contacting the attacker from behind or along the numbers.
• Reaching with the stick and swinging it up or across the attacker's hands.