Checking is a skill that takes years to develop just like skating, shooting, stickhandling and passing. In today’s hockey culture, the common perception is that we should shield players from contact until they are older and have developed the rest of their skills. This thinking is flawed. Future players must be prepared to check well in advance of playing in their first checking game. The risk of injury only increases without proper preparation for a more physical game. Although most of our players at IHI will not be playing at a level with contact involved for several years, we will teach them the proper techniques for body contact and checking. This preparation will increase their effectiveness when the time comes to step into a checking environment.
Progression
- We will follow a specific progression of teaching players the correct way to make contact and effectively separate the opponent from the puck.
- Playing through the hands – applicable to all levels, players are taught the correct way to separate opponents from the puck playing though opponents hands
- Shoulder to Shoulder – players learn to make contact with opponent’s body travelling in the same direction going shoulder to shoulder
- Full checking - after mastering the first two levels, we will then instruct players on how to safely and effectively make contact with opponents in all situations, both open ice and along the boards.
Skills
- Angling – learning how to match opponent’s speed and successfully deliver check and limiting their ability to cut back
- Point of contact – teaching where to make contact on opponent for successful separation from puck
- Keys to contact – knee bend, staying balanced while delivering check, stepping into opponent correctly with power, stick placement, not putting yourself in a vulnerable position to get sustain injury, learning proper attack side body technique
- Receiving a check – a very overlooked skill, players will learn how to safely take hits to reduce the risk of injury
Checking Techniques
- Shoulder
- Body Block
- Pins
- Hip Checks
- Transition Checks
- Elbow locks
- Angling
