When To Step Up As A Defenseman In Hockey

A defenseman's primary job in hockey is to prevent the opponent from getting scoring opportunities. With body-checking, stick checking, blocking shots and getting in the middle of the passing and shooting lanes, a defenseman can break up scoring opportunities. However, defensemen also have the opportunity to contribute to their team on the offensive end. A defenseman has to know the right opportunity to step up and become a key contributor on offense.

Open Lane

The defenseman is often the first player to have possession of the puck after an opponent's possession has ended. He might start off with the puck behind his own net, pass to a teammate and then take a return pass before he gets to the center red line. As he crosses that line with speed, he notices that the opposing defense is falling back into its defensive zone, giving him easy access to the zone. He should continue to go forward until an opponent tries to stand him up with a body check or take the puck away. As he gets into the offensive zone, he can either shoot or pass to a teammate with a better scoring opportunity.

Power Play

In a standard power play setup, three forwards will attack the net and two defensemen will man the points, looking to fire shots on net. However, defenseman will sometimes step up deep into the offensive zone and use his size and strength to create a scoring opportunity within 10 to 15 feet of the goal.

Late Game Pressure

When your team trails by a goal or two in the final 10 minutes of the game, a good defenseman will look to step up and become an offensive player whenever he senses an opportunity to pressure the defense. Goals can be difficult to come by so defensemen have to create pressure by moving into a scoring position. This may ultimately create an opening for the opponent because the defenseman has gambled by stepping away from his primary responsibility, but when you trail by a goal or more you must take a chance.

Top Offensive Defensemen

The game of hockey changed dramatically when Bobby Orr joined the Boston Bruins in 1966-67. Before Orr, defensemen rarely joined the rush and got involved on the offensive end. Orr did it regularly and was virtually unstoppable. Hockey experts often rate Orr as the best hockey player ever or perhaps the second-best player in hockey history behind Wayne Gretzky. Orr's sensational offensive play led to generations of defensemen who would rush the puck and step up into the play. Those defensemen include Larry Robinson, Paul Coffey, Ray Bourque, Brian Leetch and Nicklas Lidstrom.