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Defense in hockey is a player position with a primary responsibility to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice. A goal in Ice hockey provides a team with one point A goal is scored when a puck completely crosses the goal line within the goal frame Method of scoring Defense players are often referred to as defensemen, D, or "Blueliners". In many team Sports defense or defence (see spelling differences) is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring

In regular play there are two defense players and three forwards on the ice along with the goaltender. This article is about the goaltender in Ice hockey. For the similar position in other sports see Goalkeeper.

Bobby Orr, the first defenseman to win the NHL's scoring title, is generally regarded as one of the top defenseman in league history. Robert Gordon "Bobby" Orr OC (born March 20 1948 in Parry Sound, Ontario) is a retired Canadian Ice hockey defenseman Each year the NHL presents the James Norris Memorial Trophy to the best defenseman in the league. The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League 's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round

Nicklas Lidstrom, the first European-born Captain to win the Stanley Cup, is now generally regarded as one of the best NHL defenseman if not the best in the league with five James Norris Memorial Trophy wins and many nominations. Nicklas Erik Lidström (born April 28, 1970 in Västerås) is a Swedish professional Ice hockey defenceman who has The Stanley Cup (La Coupe Stanley is an Ice hockey club championship Trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL playoffs champion The National Hockey League ( NHL) is a professional Ice hockey league composed of 30 teams in North America The James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League 's top " defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round

Contents

'Stay-at-home' and 'Offensive defense'

Defense players are often described by the amount they participate in the offense. The extreme of non-participation in offence is a Stay-at-home defender, who takes few risks and does not score much, instead focusing on defending against the opposing team. The extreme of participation is an offensive defensemen, who gets aggressively involved in the team's offense. To accomplish this, the offensive defense player often goes deep into the opposing team's zone to get closer to its net. This makes it difficult for the defender to protect his or her own net from being scored on if the other team gains control of the puck. A puck is a disk used in various types of games serving the same functions as a ball in ball games This can lead to more odd man rushes and breakaway opportunities for the opposing team. A breakaway is a situation in Ice hockey in which a player with the puck has no defending players except for the Goaltender, between himself and the opposing

Defensive zone play

When in the defensive zone, the defense player 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 offense is putting pressure on the defense's team, the defense skater 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 defense hangs back towards his or her own blue line, usually playing the puck up to other teammates. According to Jay Leach, who writes for NHL. com's "learn to play hockey" section, the defense must "Move the puck hard and quick to the open man. Join the rush, [but] do not lead it. "

Offensive zone play

In the offensive zone, the defense skaters "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. Defense players 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 defense must also be able to skate quickly to cut off any breakaways, moving themselves back into the defensive zone ahead of the onrushing opponent. Occasionally, a defenceman will skate away from the blue line and deeper into the offensive zone, either to put more pressure on the opposing team's defence or create a scoring chance. This is called "pinching" or "pinching in. " This is usually done only when a team is trailing and in desperate need of a goal; pinching increases the likelihood that if the defending team breaks out, it will create a breakaway or an odd-man rush.

Essentially in all three zones of the rink, the defense is the backstop for the puck. It should never go behind the defense, unless the player lets it. The defense keeps the momentum of play squarely directed towards the opposing goal

Backchecking

The backcheck is a play in hockey where a non-defense skater moves back to play defense by keeping an opposing player out of a play through means of checking, stick control, and/or body positioning. Checking in Ice hockey is the act of physically keeping an opposing player in check.

Faceoffs

During faceoffs in the defensive zone, most teams have their defense players 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. A faceoff is the method used to begin play in Ice hockey. The two teams line up in opposition to each other and the opposing centres attempt to gain control of the In the offensive zone, the defense player acts in his or her usual role, keeping control of the puck as the forwards fight for position.

In the first organized hockey, (see Amateur Hockey Association of Canada), defensemen used to line up in an "I" formation behind the rover(defunct) as point and coverpoint. The Amateur Hockey Association of Canada (AHAC was an amateur men's Ice hockey league founded in 1886 in existence until 1898 Defense is still referred to as "playing the point".

See also

External links

Positions on the Hockey Rink
Forwards:
Left winger | Centre | Right winger
Defencemen:
Left defenceman | Right defenceman
Goaltender:
Goaltender
Power forward | Enforcer | Captain | Head coach | Referee & linesman
In many team Sports defense or defence (see spelling differences) is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring Centre ( center in the USA) in Ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area A Forward is a hockey player position on the Ice whose responsibility is primarily offensive. This article is about the goaltender in Ice hockey. For the similar position in other sports see Goalkeeper. The list of National Hockey League (NHL players is divided into the following lists By specific groups List of NHL players by name A Forward is a hockey player position on the Ice whose responsibility is primarily offensive. Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area Centre ( center in the USA) in Ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice Winger in hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area This article is about the goaltender in Ice hockey. For the similar position in other sports see Goalkeeper. This article is about the goaltender in Ice hockey. For the similar position in other sports see Goalkeeper. In Ice hockey, a power forward is a forward who possesses above average offensive skills and plays a tough physical game Enforcer is an unofficial role in Ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with " fighter " " tough guy " or " goon In Ice hockey, each team has a designated captain, who normally wears a "C" on his or her jersey. Coach in Ice hockey refers to a Head coach or an assistant coach given the responsibility of organizing player offense and defense. In Ice hockey, an official is a person who has some responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game
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