Objective: Teach players to win possession legally and recover into team structure immediately after a contest.
Delivery: This block may take 1–3 sessions depending on group ability. Emphasize technical control and legality before increasing speed. Progress by clean execution and immediate recovery into structure, not by physical intensity.
By the end of this block, players should be able to:
- Absorb pressure and maintain control.
- Execute stick-hand side and free-hand side tackles legally.
- Perform back-picks without fouling.
- Execute controlled knock-downs.
- Chase and contain breakaways competitively.
- Redirect opponent movement to structured zones.
- Absorbing forward momentum and redirecting pressure.
- Stick-hand side tackle mechanics.
- Free-hand side reverse curl tackle.
- Back-pick timing.
- Knock-downs and controlled interception.
- Immediate structural recovery after contest.
- Half court divided into 10–15 meter contest lanes.
- Middle channel clearly marked for recovery drills.
- Wall zone marked for containment reps.
- Small target zones for redirect and breakaway containment.
- Minimum 1 puck per 2–3 players.
¶ 1. Absorb and Stabilise
Purpose: When the puck is pushed toward you, reduce the force and redirect it rather than colliding with it. Controlling the angle and absorbing pressure makes the puck easier to secure than attempting to smash against forward momentum.
- Allow the opponent’s forward momentum to come toward you.
- Bend the arm to reduce force instead of pushing back.
- Guide the puck in the direction it is already travelling.
- Redirect momentum into a tackle going with the flow, not against it.
- Use the opponent’s pressure to gain positional advantage.
Drills:
- 1v1 absorb challenge: defender applies light pressure; carrier maintains control.
- Stationary absorb: hold position while light push or nudge occurs.
¶ 2. Tackle Mechanics – Stick-Hand Side and Free-Hand Side
Purpose: Deliver effective tackles without fouling and recover quickly.
Tackles (Player’s Stick-Hand Side)
- Both players facing the same direction.
- Defender approaches the attacker from his stick-hand sideRight-hand defender is on the left of the attacker.
- Defender positions slightly ahead of the attacker.
- Turn hook upward (bottom side of stick) toward the puck.
- Make contact with the puck only.
- Initiate tackle with a standard curl.
- Drop shoulder to protect the puck after contact.
- Transition smoothly into controlled possession.
Tackles (Player’s Free-Hand Side)
- Both players facing the same direction.
- Defender approaches the attacker from his free-hand sideRight-hand defender is on the right of the attacker.
- Defender positions slightly behind the attacker.
- Use inside edge of the stick with elbow high for better angle.
- Make contact with the puck only.
- Initiate tackle with a reverse curl.
- Drop shoulder to protect the puck after contact.
- Secure puck and regain balance before advancing.
Drills:
- Controlled Stick-Hand Side Tackle.
- Controlled Free-Hand Side Tackle
- Combo tackle sequence: carrier changes direction; defender tackles then resets.
Purpose: Intercept or regain possession from behind (back-pick) within legal contest boundaries.
- Back-pick: trail close, angle to defend behind movement, wait for attacker to curl, steal or back pick attacker from behind.
Drills:
- Back-pick chase drill: trailing defender times contact without over committing.
Purpose: Stop a flicked puck or intercepted pass and bring it under control. The objective is not simply to block the puck, but to drop it into a space where you have positional advantage and the attacker cannot immediately reapply pressure.
- Track the trajectory of a flicked puck or pass early.
- Position body between attacker and landing space.
- Use stick or body angle to stop the puck cleanly.
- Allow puck to fall into controllable space.
- Secure possession before attacker can apply pressure.
Drills:
- Static Flick Interception
- Controlled Landing Zone Drill
- Intercept the Pass Drill
- Knock Down Under Light Pressure
Purpose: Chase breakaways effectively while maintaining structure and redirect play into controlled zones.
- Approach angle to reduce scoring opportunity.
- Redirect opponent path toward support defenders or away from midline.
- Recover position immediately after engagement.
Drills:
- Breakaway containment rep with continuous rotation.
- Chase and redirect drill with target zones for recovery.
Assessment is observational in live and conditioned play. Coach watches for:
- Clean contest engagements without preventable fouls.
- Immediate recovery into defensive shape after contest.
- Effective tackles that create structured outcomes.
- Controlled redirect and breakaway containment.
This block supports the consolidated Level 2 Exit Standard.