Get your own Free Home PageKnowing how to gain control of the puck is essential in creating scoring opportunities. Executing the proper check is key when you're looking for a win.
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By Greg Siller |
Roller hockey, like other team sports, is a game of control. A roller hockey team must be able to control possession of the puck effectively, or own the puck, if it is going to score. When a team has control of the puck, it can pass it, skate with it and shoot it; all factors that provide that team with scoring opportunities. One of the fundamental principles associated with the puck control is the 3PO Principle: Puck Possession Provides Opportunities. What should a team do when it loses control of the puck? When the role of a team is defensive (does not have control of the puck) or transitional (neither team has control of the puck — such as during a face-off or when the puck is loose in the corner), its only objective should be to gain control of the puck. Use the stick as an effective tool to strip opponents of the puck and prevent them from scoring. Stick checking is a technique whereby a player (legally) uses his stick to prevent an opponent from maintaining or acquiring control of the puck. This technique is not limited to only the forwards or defense; the goaltender can also play a pivotal role in regaining control of the puck using a stick check. Five stick checking techniques — the poke check, sweep check, diving poke/sweep check, stick lift and stick press — are presented below as tools to regain control of the puck. As with all stick checking techniques, the poke check is used in a one-on-one situation when an opponent is in close proximity (within about 6 feet). A player can use the poke check when in front, to the side, or behind an opponent.
In executing the front poke check, the defender slows to allow the attacker to close-the-gap. As the gap is closed, the defender quickly pokes his stick toward the puck in an attempt to move it off the opponent’s stick. The side poke check and the poke check from behind are executed in a similar manner except the defender is at the side or behind the attacker. If the poke check is successful, the defender or a teammate gains control of the puck and begins an offensive attack. If the poke check is unsuccessful, the defender should still continue to pursue the attacker. Perhaps the biggest mistake in performing the poke check is holding the stick too far out in front of the body just prior to execution. This does not allow the defender to get a good poke at the puck due to the limited range the stick can travel. The goaltender poke check can be used either when the attacker cuts across the front of the net or moves straight in on the goaltender. This stick check requires the goaltender to let the shaft of the stick slide through his or her extended blocker hand until it reaches the knob. When the attacker cuts across the front of the net, the goaltender executes the poke check as the puck carrier draws even to the net. When the attacker comes straight in, the goaltender has a couple of choices: to wait until the attacker reaches within an extended stick length or to be aggressive and move toward the attacker in surprise attack. It is best to be aggressive when the attacker has his or her head down, making the element of surprise that much more effective. Timing and the element of surprise are very important. If the poke check is done too soon, the attacking player can draw the puck back out of the goaltender’s reach and move around the committed goaltender.
The sweep check is similar to the poke check. As the attacker closes-the-gap, the defender moves the arm holding the stick in a sweeping motion across his or her body so that the blade of the stick moves in a half-circle toward the puck carrier. If executed properly, the defender’s stick blade should come in contact with the puck or the attacker’s stick, knocking the puck free. The main advantage of the sweep check is that it covers a lot of playing surface and, if the stick moves quickly, the puck carrier has difficulty avoiding it. The main disadvantage is that, even when the puck is contacted, it can be knocked some distance away from the play, or onto another opponent’s stick. The goaltender sweep check is executed by extending the blocker up the shaft of the stick, as with the poke check. The glove hand grasps the stick just below the blocker and the entire length of the stick is pressed down onto the playing surface. The goaltender should drop down onto the glove-side leg pad to assist the stick in meeting the playing surface. The stick is then swept across the front of the goaltender into the path of the oncoming puck. This check can clear an area of the puck and any opposing players quickly. As with the poke check, the goaltender must make sure that the puck is in range before he executes the sweep check. A defender (usually a defenseman) can use the diving sweep/poke check as a last resort when an opponent has gotten past the defender and is on a breakaway. This stick check is dependent on the playing surface that you are on and should not be used on asphalt because of safety considerations. Once the defender realizes that he has been beaten, he should skate hard to position himself just off to the side of the opponent. When the defender has the puck in sight, he can leave his skates in a diving motion, extending the arms and putting the stick flat on the playing surface. Aim the stick a little ahead of the opponent’s stick and attempt to knock the puck away. If at all possible, do not knock the opponent’s feet out from under him, since this could be grounds for a tripping penalty or even a penalty shot. Often, players who have been beaten in a one-on-one situation just stand around and spectate. Even though the defender may have the best seat in the house to watch the breakaway, this is no time to give up on the play. There are basically four outcomes in a breakaway situation like this: 1) the opponent could lose the puck or over-skate the net, 2) the goaltender could make the big save while the defender is hustling back to pick up any rebound, 3) the defender could hustle back to catch the opponent by making a diving sweep check, or 4) the opponent could score.
I would definitely rather hustle back and get involved in the first three outcomes rather than just speculate as the opponent moves in alone on my goaltender. The point: Never stop hustling! Stay involved! It works! The stick lift is a good technique to use anywhere on the playing surface when the opponent you are covering is about to receive a pass. Execute the stick lift by placing the blade of your stick under the lower portion of the shaft of the opponent’s stick and quickly lift the opponent’s stick about a foot off the playing surface. Once the opponent’s stick has been lifted, retrieve the puck and set up an offensive attack. Even if the check doesn’t work the first time, the defender is in a good position to execute it again. Every player should practice this technique because opportunities to use it always occur. Upper body strength and timing are important when using this technique. The stick press is similar to the stick lift except that the lower portion of the stick blade or shaft is pressed down onto the opponent’s stick to keep the opponent from gaining possession or at least controlling the puck. Again, upper body strength and timing are important when using this technique. Executing a timely stick check will give your team the opportunity to regain control of the puck, move into a scoring position, and put it where it belongs ... in the net.
Stick Check Glossary
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