Body Contact

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Planet Hockey, Inc.

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When you graduate to the peewee level and beyond, hockey takes on an entirely different attitude.  Hockey parents begin getting strange looks from non-hockey playing friends.  You become labeled as a bit strange, perhaps even barbaric.  You appear to display admirable parenting skills and seem to be a loving provider, then proceed to grant other young hockey players permission to "crash" into your child.  As if to soften the anticipated blows, you dress your kid(s), the same kids that are proudly displayed on the living room wall, in protective equipment then encourage them to proceed into battle.  It is a little crazy.

Body contact is an element of hockey that we love and we hate.  It is the same component that has a history of simultaneously gaining respect from hockey players while tarnishing the game's image.  Body contact and physical play are important elements of hockey, they always have been, and always will be.

The introduction of "checking" is rightfully an uncomfortable time for parents and players alike.  It is a strange new world where, each year, thousands of young hockey players are injured, sometimes seriously.  Thankfully, many of these injuries can be prevented.

Balance and confidence on the ice are huge components of hockey and are the main ingredients to successful body contact.  A player lacking these skills (which stem exclusively from skating proficiency) is at considerably higher risk of injury.  Also, not mastering these fundamental skills can both harm the individual physically and can hurt their team by taking themselves out of the play.  The real problems with checking at any level stem from insufficient skating skills instruction and a violent image of checking. 

The collective efforts to restructure hockey's image by hockey leagues worldwide is beginning to pay off.  Hockey is once again moving toward flow and skilled play.  More and more seats in hockey venues are being filled by fans demanding finesse and endurance rather than blood-filled, overly aggressive play where the emphasis is on bone-crushing collisions.

There is a right and a wrong way to check.  Developmental skating and body contact technique training can do a great deal to eliminate unnecessary injuries.  We need to teach young players the fundamentals and philosophies of body contact, just as we do puck control and team play.  Did you know that for every player who is injured receiving a body check, two are injured giving a body check.  Here are a few body contact pointers:

OBJECTIVE OF BODY CONTACT 

The primary objective of body contact is to tie up your opponent and separate them from the puck, allowing your team to gain control of the puck.  Here are four key points to safe and effective body contact.

GAUGE AND ADJUST YOUR SPEED                                                          

At the time of contact, your speed should be equal to or slightly greater than that of your opponent.  As "contact" speed increases, the likelihood of injury and the difficulty of quickly returning to the play increase. 

DECREASE YOUR SPACING - ANGLE YOUR OPPONENT

During a one on one situation near the boards, your angle of attack is critical.  As you angle toward your opponent (decrease the space between you) they should feel as if an octopus is closing in on them leaving no possibility of escape.  Imagine placing pylons on the ice that directs your opponent into your trap. Create a path that forces your opponent right to you.

 
Avoid approaching and making contact head-on.  You will take yourself out of the play and often times out of the game due to an injury.  "Locking onto your opponent" and telegraphing your exact course of travel will give your opponent several options to skate past you.  Stay neutral until you have made your decision to administer a "check".  Never over commit.   

CONTAIN YOUR OPPONENT

Once you have made contact, tie up your opponent, then play the puck if possible.  A few helpful hints:

1.         Drive through them using your legs with deep knee bend

2.         Keep your hands down - at chest level to avoid penalties

3.         Pin them to the boards - place your arm(s)  and stick in front, one leg between their legs, and the other leg behind them.  

4.         Do not waste energy trying to crush your opponent

5.         Use your feet to kick the puck to a teammate.

RETURN TO THE PLAY

A check is not complete until you return to the play.  We loose track of time and loose sight of the play during body contact.  As you battle with an opponent, the game continues to be played behind you, so remember two things:   One, if you get knocked down, get up immediately and return to the play.  Two, if you give a great body check, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back!".  Never take yourself out of the play when playing the body.

Lastly, in a contact situation, think safety first.  The Danger Zone is 2-4 feet (or a stick length) from the boards.  If at all possible, position yourself against the boards (one shoulder touching) to decrease head, neck, shoulder and back injury.  Establish a strong base with deep knee bend  while keeping your hands free for leverage against the boards.  Lastly, practice using your feet to direct (kick) the puck to your stick, or to the stick of your teammate.  Your body position along the boards is the difference between injury and success!                   

The best preparation is to ensure that you are as proficient on your skates as possible.  Checking is 95% skating and balance, so a technically sound skater is less likely to be injured while giving or receiving a check.  Good Luck!

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This article was written by Shawn Killian, Director of Planet Hockey Skills Camps, the Planet Hockey Ranch in Salida, Colorado and TEAM Planet Hockey European Tours.  For more information on all Planet Hockey Programs including Training Videos and coordinating a Planet Hockey Skills Camp for your Association or Group contact Planet Hockey at 720-304-3880 / 1-800-320-7545 / www.planethockey.com