A back-pick is a steal where the player sets up behind an opponent and takes the puck when the opponent curls. Back-picks are common among forwards who are regularly set up behind (on the offensive side of) the opponents.
What to think about when back-picking an opponent:
Back-picks are essentially the same kind of steal as tackles from the player's free hand side or stick hand side, just often start with slightly different body position.
Demo video coming soon!
Players in the forward position are set up to do back-picks the most often.The best time to set up for a back pick is if the forward sees an opponent with the puck approaching a back. Opponents will often curl when faced with a back, and that is when the forwards should be set up for a back-pick. Back-picks are effective anywhere in the playing area.
When the play is in the defensive end of the court, it is very important for the forwards to help the backs defensively. This means the forwards should actively go into the play, rather than only waiting ahead for passes, and attempt to get the puck. A back-pick is an ideal method for playing defensively as a forward.
Players should not set up to back-pick an opponent if their team has the puck. If this is the case, players should be setting up to receive passes from their teammates.
In this example wite player #2 sets up facing backwards and pulls the puck out of a scrum.
In this example the black team player #1 is chasing the play and picks the puck off the opponent when they turn to look for help.
The black team forward comes from the side of the player with the puck and very quickly grabs the puck, curling as she does it to protect the puck.
BACK-PICKS