Checking presentation. August 2014.

1. CHECKING SKILLS

2. Introduction
• Children learn best when expectations are explained, demonstrated
and practiced in a positive atmosphere
• Should be a logical progression
• Just like skating, passing , puck handling there is a logical progression
to checking

3. Object of Checking Clinic
• To provide logical progressions necessary for learning the skill of checking
• To enhance the safety of each player by ensuring that all those who play
the game learn to give and receive body checks properly
• To emphasize the importance of playing and staying within the rules of
the game
• To put a focus on players demonstrating respect for on another on the ice

4. Purpose of Checking?
 To regain possession of the puck
 Separate the puck from the puck carrier in a legal and safe manner
 Delay or contain your opponent to enable your back checkers to
assist

5. Definitions
–
• Contact Confidence:
A players ability to play physical while maintaining safety in play
• Body Contact:
Incidental contact of two opposing players in pursuit of the puck or
position on the ice in the same direction.
just watch a female Canadian vs US Olympic Team…very, very
physical

6. Body Contact

7. Definitions
Body Checking :
A player’s attempt at gaining the advantage on an opponent with the
use of the body. Checking results when two opposing players collide
while skating in opposite directions or when positioning and angling
allows the checker to use the force of the body to gain the advantage

8. Body Checking

9. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD CHECKER?
 Skating Ability (speed, strength, balance and agility)
 Anticipation
 Positional ability
 Read and React Skills
• Tenacity
• Desire

10. 5 Step to Checking
• STEP 1 Skating and Agility
• STEP 2 Angling and Positioning
• STEP 3 Stick Checks
• STEP 4 Contact Confidence & Body Contact
• STEP 5 Body Checking

12. SKATING & AGILITY
Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget
 Forward and Backwards Striding
 Lateral Crossovers
 Forward and Backwards Starts and Stops
 Forward and Backward pivots
 Edge Control
 Stance, Posture, Balance & Agility

13. ANGLING & POSITIONG
Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget
 Read and React / Stall and Contain
 Low Control vs. Full Control
 Shoulder Alignment – Inside / Outside
 Protect the middle of the ice
 Timing, Location, Gap Control
 Stance, Posture, Balance & Agility
 Puck Protection Skills
 Receiving a Check / Contact Confidence

14. STICK CHECKS
Initiation & Novice Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget
 Skating Skills, Posture & Balance
 Stick on the ice – stick to stick checks
 Poke Check
 Hook Check
 Sweep Check
 Stick Lift & Stick Press

15. BODY CONTACT
Atom Peewee Bantam/Midget
 Receiving a Check
 Know the “Danger Zone”
 Body Position
 Stick on Stick/ Shoulder to Shoulder
 Pinning
 Shoulder alignment (inside to outside)
 Do not push, shove, or change direction into the
opposition

16. BODY CHECKING
Bantam/Midget
 Block Check
 Shoulder Check
 Hip Check
 Pinning
 Blocking hips
 Receiving a Body Check

17. Position and Angling
• Angling can be considered the first line of defense for a player. Body and stick positions are
important in checking without making contact
•Angling is the ability to force your opponent to go in the direction that you want. This normally
would be towards the boards or outside of the checker
•Key Points of Angling
•Players should remain between puck carrier and the pass receiver, gradually reducing the puck
carrier’s speed
•Players should skate parallel to the opponent or in an arc or circular movement-not in a straight
line
•Players should skate slightly behind the opponent, thus not allowing the opponent to cut back
•Players need to control their skating so they can adjust speed as their opponents speed
changes
•A players stick should always be in a position to steer the opponent and to intercept passes

18. STICK CHECKS
• Stick checking may be considered the second line of defense as angling forces the opposition
to a position where contact can be made with the stick
•When a player stick checks, he/she must maintain control of both their stick and the opponents
stick.
•Five stick checking techniques include:
•Poke Check
•Sweep Check
•Tap Check
•Lift Check
•Press Check
•Stick checks are effective to:
•Delay the advancement of the opposition
•Force a loss of puck control by the opposition
•Control the puck yourself or gain position for one of your teammates

19. Contact Confidence & Body Contact
•The Do’s and Don’ts of Being Checked
•Don’t get caught in danger zone---stay close to the boards
•Know where your opponents are
•Use your hands and arms as a cushion
•Keep your head up
•Turn the body so shoulders hit first

20. BODY CHECKING
•Skills need for body checking are a combination of the first three steps that we have
reviewed
•The checker must be a strong skater with particularly good balance on their skates.
•The fundamental skills of body checking are:
•Skating
•Position & Angling
•Stick Checks
•Contact Confidence
•Body Contact
•Body Checking

22. Requirements for Clinic
• One hour of class room time
• One hour of ice time with players in protective gear
less skates
• 3 hours of on ice, which can be 3 one hour sessions
or 2 sessions at 1.5 hours.

23. Conclusion
• It is important that the checking skills pyramid be
implemented with minor hockey associations
• Reinforcement of skills so transition from contact to
checking is seamless
• Proper training for all coaches at all levels to
translate skills to checking

24. Contact Information
• HNS Office 902-454-9400
• www.hockeynovascotia.ca
• bshort@hockeynovascotia.ca
• Twitter @billshort7