Reading the Play Hockey

The Foundation of Defense Understanding Gap Control For a hockey defenseman, mastering the art of defense hinges on fundamental principles, and perhaps none is as critical as gap control. What exactly is gap control? Simply put, it's the distance maintained between the defenseman and the attacking player they are defending. This distance isn't static; it's a dynamic space that changes constantly based on factors like speed, ice conditions, and the situation of the game. Effective gap control allows a defenseman to dictate the play, limit the attacker's time and space, and ultimately prevent scoring chances. Without proper gap control, a [...]