Tips for Defensemen

Note: This was written for NHL 09 so some things are outdated, but all of the general tips are still very valid. Just take your position's tips into account and use the attribute guides (1st/2nd posts) when you choose your role and attributes.

Defensemen

Recommended player style:

1) Defensive Defenseman (if you want to be able to rip slap shots from the point)

2) Grinder (if you just want to be an enforcer)

It’s strange that most people avoid the defensive positions at all costs (often to the detriment of their own team), because playing defenseman is actually the easiest way to earn high grades from the Be a Pro grading system.

And as we all know, if there’s anything the "Me First And The Gimmie Gimmies" who frequent the community lobbies enjoy, it’s padding their stats.

That’s why I’m surprised these people haven’t figured out that you have to play horribly to not get at least two "A" grades every time you suit up as a defenseman. In fact, you can pull off an "A" grade across the board if you just follow some simple guidelines.

There’s a time and place for a hard body check. It just isn’t:

A) On odd-man rushes (which often lead to breakaways, even if the initial check is successful)

B) Anytime you’re checking a guy without the puck who isn’t hanging around your slot/crease (which often leads to penalties)

So if you want to make opposing skaters "do the twist," you’re going to have to use a little discipline and pick your spots instead of running around knocking out anyone who gets in your way.

A good poke/deflection is better than a check for several reasons:

• It moves the puck out of danger (checks often send the puck squirting out slowly for nearby enemies to pickup)
• It keeps you in the play, even after the puck comes loose
• If you miss a poke, you’re still in position to make a play (missed checks leave you completely out of position)

If you're looking to stock up on deflection/interception stats, note that you can often break up passes simply by standing in the way of the puck's path.

Also try to use the "vision control" while skating to keep your skater's shoulders squared to the puck, which makes deflections/interceptions even easier to come by.

When it comes to deflecting shots, however, you’ll want to lay down on the ice (defaults to left bumper + right bumper on the Xbox 360) instead of standing straight up, which will keep you from screening your goalie during the shot.

This simple rule should override all other moves you make as a defenseman:

Keep the other team’s furthest skater in front of you at all times.

As a defenseman, the easiest way to lose the game for your team is to give up breakaway opportunities; keep them from happening, however, and you dramatically increase your team’s odds of pulling out a victory.

Also, defensemen are mostly passers who clear the puck safely out of the zone and help to set breakouts in motion.

This means that defensemen on the attack should never skate with the puck for any extended period of time -- instead, they should be looking to pass the puck up to a forward, allowing him to bring the puck into the offensive zone.

However, once the other team has been pressured into its own zone by your forwards, feel free to push up to the blue line and settle in at the point.

From the point, defensemen can:

• Provide outlet passes to forwards in trouble spots
• Chase down loose pucks and keep them in the zone
• Cycle the puck around
• Fire off one-timers and slap shots

Again, never hold the puck for too long at the point, and above all else, do not turn the puck over!

Turnovers that come from defensemen mishandling the puck at the point almost always end up in the net off a breakaway at the other end of the ice.