7 Principles for Coaches: Angling

Angling is a critical defensive technique that can limit an opponent’s options and help you regain the puck.

Angling is a critical defensive technique in hockey that involves positioning yourself to force an opponent into a less advantageous area of the ice, typically towards the boards or away from the net. This tactic helps limit the opponent’s options, slow down their speed, create opportunities to regain control of the puck and stop their advance.

Limiting Opponent Options

By effectively using angling, a player can reduce the space and time an opponent has to make a play. Forcing the opponent into a confined area of the ice not only disrupts their momentum, but also limits their passing and shooting options. This technique is a key defensive strategy for preventing scoring chances and containing offensive players.

Anticipation & Body Positioning

Successful angling requires anticipation, strong body positioning and stick control. By reading the opponent’s movements and positioning your body properly, a player can control the direction of the play without committing a penalty. The ability to angle well allows players to remain disciplined while still applying pressure and disrupting the opponent’s flow.

Practicing Angling Skills

Incorporating angling drills into practice is essential for mastering this skill. While it’s difficult to replicate the exact game situations players will face, regular practice and repetition are key to becoming proficient. Each angling scenario varies in terms of pace, ice position and the size of the opposing players. Practicing under different conditions helps players to adapt and improve.

Crucial for All Players

Angling is an important skill for both defence and forwards. By mastering angling, players can become more effective in shutting down opponents and regaining puck possession for their team.

Here are three drills that can be used at all ages to teach angling:

Drill #1 – 1-Up/1-Down – Gap Angling Drill

Spilt players into four groups using each corner of the ice. Alternate sides.
Coach starts the play with “GO.”
The defensive player must touch goal line, and the forward with puck must touch the blue line.
The defensive player’s goal is to clear puck or skate the puck past the ringette line if they steal it.
The forward’s goal is to try to score—one shot/one rebound is allowed per pair.

Drill #2 – Puck Steal Angling Warm-up

Line up players at centre ice.
Coach in the corner with pucks.
The first player in line (Player 1) skates in and takes a shot on net.
Player 1 then proceeds to the corner to retrieve a new puck.
Player 2 follows Player 1 in for their shot, then steers the player up the boards.
Ensure Player 2 executes good stick-on puck and hips-to-glove technique to separate the puck from Player 1.
Player 2 goes in for a shot on net.
Player 3 follows Player 2 in to repeat the drill.

Drill #3 – Checking Skills – Forecheck Progression

Defender 1 and Forward 1 head out to the pylon together.
Forward 1 dumps the puck in on Defender 1.
Forward 1 attempts to steer Defender 1 out of the play.
A second forward can join the forecheck and support Forward 1.
Forward 1 and Forward 2 take puck to the net after a change of possession.

The Hockey Canada Network gives coaches and players the tools to succeed with drills, skills, videos, practice plans and articles on their tablet or phone. There are over 1,500 drills and more than 100 lesson plans available.

Looking for more skills and drills? Hockey Canada frequently posts skill videos on its social channels that can be incorporated into practice plans. Search the #HCSkillsCoach and #HCGoalieCoach on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to find more drill videos to utilize on the ice.