¶ Block 1 – Tackling and Contest Mechanics
This block teaches players the ability to win, protect, and recover the puck under pressure using legal, controlled contesting techniques.
This block is split into Individual Contest Mechanics and Team Contest Behaviours to clearly separate skill execution from game application.
- Strong body position, low to the ground
- Square shoulders to the puck
- Apply pressure without over-committing
- Think: the puck will not go through my body — it can go around, but not through
- Defender closes space using correct angle
- Contain first, do not dive in early
- Guide attacker into low-risk areas
- Recover into support after engagement
Linked Drills:
Breakaway Containment Rotation,
Chase and Redirect
Link: Applies contest control in high-risk situations.
- Apply contest skills in live play
- Combine individual technique with team behaviour
- Reinforce recovery into structure
Short Game Play
¶ Exit Standard
- Executes clean individual contest techniques
- Wins possession without fouling
- Maintains control under pressure
- Supports contests as a teammate
- Recovers immediately into team structure
- Play the puck, not the player
- Absorb and stay balanced
- Secure possession immediately
- Support the contest
- Stay connected
- Recover into structure
- Absorb, don’t collide
- Puck only
- Win it clean
- Support early
- Recover quickly
- Over-committing in contest – Control first
- Isolated play after win – Reconnect to team
- Late support – Move earlier
- Ensure safe contact at all times
- Reinforce technique before intensity
- Stop play when structure breaks
- Add pressure and speed
- Introduce multiple players in contest
- Reduce time and space
- Isolate individual mechanics
- Reduce pressure
- Increase spacing