Backchecking is a crucial aspect of ice hockey that often separates good teams from great ones. It involves players hustling back to their defensive zone to prevent the opposing team from scoring during a transition.

Think of it as a race back to our blue line. Winning the backchecking race can be the difference between a goal against and a successful defensive play. Here’s why backchecking is so important and how you can master it.

In this race, it’s okay to “CHEAT”

This is one race where it is okay to jump the gun and get a head start. If you’re not directly in the play, be sure to be on the defensive side of the play. Anticipating and getting a head start is the easiest way to win the backchecking race.

Why Backchecking is Important

1. Prevents Scoring Opportunities: By quickly transitioning from offense to defense, players can disrupt the opposing team’s rush and prevent high-quality scoring chances.
2. Supports Defensemen: Backchecking forwards help defensemen by covering trailing opponents, allowing defensemen to focus on the puck carrier. This allows them to angle off rushes before they reach the red line (where they can dump the puck in) and at our blue line (where we can force the other team offside).
3. Creates Turnovers: Effective backchecking can lead to turnovers, giving your team a chance to regain possession and counter-attack.
4. Builds Team Morale: Demonstrating a strong work ethic and commitment to defense can inspire teammates and create a culture of accountability and effort.

Tips for Effective Backchecking

1. Anticipate the play: Always be aware of the puck’s location and anticipate potential turnovers. This allows you to react quickly and start backchecking immediately. Remember, it’s always to cheat to win this race.
2. Be URGENT and EXPLOSIVE with your first several strides.
3. Backcheck through the middle of the ice: When backchecking, work your way back through the middle of the ice to cut off passing options and force the puck carrier to the outside.
4. Find and STICK to a man: Don’t just be in the area. Get between them and our goal and take away their hands. If necessary, follow them all the way down to our net.
5. Keep your stick on the ice and in the passing lanes: Use your stick to disrupt passes and poke-check the puck away from opponents.
6. Communicate: Talk to your teammates, especially defensemen, to ensure everyone knows their assignments and can cover the most dangerous players.
7. Conditioning: Good conditioning is essential for effective backchecking. Ensure you have the stamina to maintain high effort throughout the game.

Situational Examples

1. Odd-Man Rush: Imagine your team loses the puck in the offensive zone, and the opposing team starts a 3-on-2 rush. As a forward, your immediate reaction should be to sprint back and cover the trailing opponent. By doing so, you force the puck carrier to make a quicker decision, increasing the chances of a mistake or a less dangerous shot.
2. Neutral Zone Turnover: Your team turns the puck over in the neutral zone, and the opposing team quickly transitions to offense. In this situation, backchecking hard can disrupt their flow and force them to dump the puck in rather than entering the zone with control. This gives your defensemen a better chance to retrieve the puck and start a breakout.
3. Power Play Defense: Even when your team is on the power play, backchecking is vital. If the opposing team clears the puck and starts a shorthanded rush, forwards need to hustle back to prevent a scoring chance. Effective backchecking in this scenario can prevent a momentum-shifting shorthanded goal.
4. End of a Shift: Late in a shift, players are often tired and tempted to take shortcuts. However, maintaining discipline and backchecking hard even when fatigued can prevent late-period goals, which are often momentum killers.

Winning the backchecking race requires effort, awareness, and teamwork. By mastering this skill, you can significantly improve your team’s defensive capabilities and contribute to overall success on the ice. It’s just another way to be relentlessly competitive.