How to Play 3 on 3 Defense in Ice Hockey

In ice hockey the most balanced situations are 3 on 3 plays. A 3 on 3 defense is sometimes difficult. For a 3 on 3 defense to work well all players must have the same objective in mind and must communicate. With a lot of teamwork and practice, 3 on 3 defense become an effective way to play and win ice hockey games.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get the players into a small group. Have them skate together as tight as possible, especially through the neutral zone. The neutral zone is the space between the two blue lines in the middle of the ice rink.

    • 2

      Communicate to each other as to who is defending who by the time everyone gets to the red line. This is an important step in this process. Without this communication the players do not know who to defend.

    • 3

      Check the offensive players as need be. If you're back checking the puck carrier, attack the trailer first to move them out of play then proceed toward the puck. Try to stay in between the puck and the person you are defending so they are not passed to.

    • 4

      Make a strong defensive area with no weak side. This requires the three defenders to spread evenly across the rink to cover off sides.

    • 5

      Keep the offensive players from the net as much as possible. Get in close to the players so that you control their sticks and keep them from making a goal.