I was hoping someone would 'bite' and post a new topic about this! Thanks Eric!
I too found it interesting that Wilson taught the 'two hands on' approach to his D-men as the rule rather than the exception.
I have always been far more of a 'one hand guy' in open space; then felt was up to the player to decide to maintain one hand or switch to two hands as the gap decreases into a small space (more below).
You can really 'make yourself big' with one hand on the stick while playing a man defensively vs. the rush (1 vs. 1 or more) and while playing in contained spaces. One hand is far more effective covering passing lanes / taking up space. This puts mental pressure on the puck carrier and might discourage the puck carrier from attempting a pass. (George Kingston used to call using your body and stick position "influencing" the opponent.) The critical moment of indecision that generates may result in more help (for you) arriving!
Tom posted a couple of informative videos on here earlier this season with former NHL D-man Terry Johnson instructing Tom's midget AAA girls team. He passed along some of his wisdom on how to play a 1 vs 1 to 3 vs 2 and this would be a good chance for us to review it. I do remember nodding in agreement to what Terry said about stick / hand / body position while playing a 1 vs. 1. (This in itself is worth watching the video for!)
How to Play a Defensive 1-1 with a former NHL Defenseman
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=67
How to defend a 2 v 1, 3 v 1, 3 v 2, etc.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=68
One might consider using two hands when making contact (for more strength) as long as they keep the stick down and don't get it caught horizontal to the opponent; although you can certainly still make a check successfully with one hand (again, as mentioned in the article - 'stick on stick' or 'blade on blade' and use the free hand to push / steer / control the opponents hips without grabbing or holding or wrapping.) Personally, this is where it comes down to technique (IE: one's ability - is the checking player skillful enough to execute either?) and the particular situation (direction of travel, proximity of player and boards, dominant hand of the opponent and of the checker, etc.)
The game is all about time and space. You want to create it on offense and deny it on defense!
This leads me to the ageless question of what does a defender do on a 1 vs. 1 when he gets beat outside to: (a) his forehand (strong) side; (b) his backhand (weak) side? Does he turn towards the MAN beating him; or inside towards the NET? What if the puck carrier is: (1) a right hand shot or (2) a left hand shot in each of these instances (beating the defender on the strong or weak side? How do all these situations influence the defenders choice of what direction to turn and / or to use one or two hands on the stick?)
I have had hours of debates over this one with many pro players and coaches... and would love to hear other people's opinions... and justifications!
Thanks!
One Hand or Two on Defense:
It all depends on the situation.
- If you need to reach farther then one hand on the stick allows you to do this.
- When playing defense you can have one hand on the stick to block a passing lane.
- If you are in a crowded area two hands on the stick is important to have and power and if you need to pass or shoot then two hands enables this.
- If you watch the defenders in the NHL now fight along the boards you see then have the stick on the inside jamming at the puck and the free hand on the players back.
This is a video of Detroits coach Mike B. talking about the pk and leading with the stick on the puck.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20080719161205559 Mike Babcoxk
This video is of Gene Reilly who was a skills coach in the American League and now is in Austria having players practice the stick on the puck and always on the ice.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20090817105910820 Reilly
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If you get beat to the outside when skating backwards defending a 1-1.
It is a simple case of taking a shortcut. There is no use turning toward the player and chasing if you are caught flat footed. Instead the defender should turn to the inside and race to the near post to cut the attacker off.
The reason is that turning inside only requires a 90 degree turn and then you skate a straight line to the near post. If you turn outside you must make a 270 degree turn which takes longer, before skating to the near post. There is no secret to where the attacker is going (if he goes to the corner then who cares because you are on dside now).
So it is a simple calculation of time and space.
This is from the Boston Globe article posted in the Analytic post....''
One hand or two?
Under former coach Ron Wilson, Toronto defensemen were encouraged to keep both hands on the stick. That way, they could be stronger on pucks and more forceful at swatting away opponents? sticks. The Bruins coaches teach their defensemen to lead with their sticks with one hand and aim for the puck. With their other hand, they can lean on the puck carrier. For example, if a forward is trying to swing wide, the defensemen are taught to reach with their sticks with one hand, which gives them better reach. If the forward then tries to pass, the defensemen has a hand free to attempt to swat the puck away. In tight, the one-hand approach also works. ?You use one hand with stick on puck, then push the puck,?? Johnny Boychuk explained. ?Then you can push him at the same time with your other hand.??
Just curious what others teach and if there are some that teach the two hands on the stick approach. I'd be interested to hear everyone's thoughts.