#gap control

[gaynhl]

He and Sekera have a nice, tight gap.

Canes v Rangers commentary, 31 Jan 2015

[fmcicesports]

The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: Gap Control

While not as flashy as its offensive counterpart, defense is an integral part of any successful hockey team. "Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships." This should be taken to heart, as even the best offenses can be rendered moot by poor defensive play (just take a look at the last 4 Washington Capitals Post-seasons).

As a former defenseman myself, this is my knowledge wheelhouse. So throughout the course of my Locker Room articles, I will try my best to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned in my youth hockey career. Today’s defensive subject: Gap Control.

The Gap This is the very bare-bones basics of defending. The “gap” is the space between the backwards-moving defender and the puck carrier. This space needs to be controlled by the defender in order to successfully play an attacker. If the gap is too large, opponents will find it easier to deke or overpower the defenseman. If the gap is too small, the defenseman be too close, and will be outskated. The proper gap length is loosely a stick-length away, which provides perfect positioning for the defenseman to take control of the play. When a defenseman has good gap position, he can square up and manipulate the offenseman’s movement with their body position. For example, leaning or putting your stick towards the offenseman’s dominant side will force them to their backhand, which is great because in most cases it’s like trading an M-16 for a water gun. The goaltender will be relieved. One of the trickier elements of gap control is when to close in, in the defensive zone. How long do good defensemen stay the stick-length away? The answer The defenseman must maintain proper gap length in order to successfully lure the puck carrier to their backhand.

Great defensemen force the puck carrier wide as they shorten up their gap. This keeps the puck carrier from having good shooting position. is simple. In the offensive/neutral zone stay with stick-length, but when the defenseman hits their blue line, he should start slowing down. By the time both skaters hit the top of the circle, the defenseman should have closed the gap and started attacking the puck carrier.

The best tip I can give for upstart defensemen, look at the body. Don’t look at the puck. Don’t look at the puck carrier’s head. Look at the body. That way, when Stud McDangles from the opposing team tries to pull a quick move, the defense won’t be fooled by fancy stick work.

Focusing on the puck carrier’s chest will reduce the chance that they’ll stickhandle around the defenseman. It also provides a solid target for the defenseman to step up and play the body.

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