Don’t Wait for the Lane

A shooting lane isn't always there when a defenseman receives the puck — sometimes you have to create it.

This video looks at several ways defensemen can use movement to create space and get pucks through offensively. Changing the angle of the puck can be the simplest way to move it around a defender, while movement before receiving the puck can help create a lane before you even have possession. Once you have the puck, lateral movement can force a defender to move, creating new opportunities to shoot. If the defender overcommits or anticipates the shot, recognizing their positioning allows the defenseman to move the puck in the opposite direction and create the lane again.

Finally, sometimes the best way to create that space starts with moving toward the puck before you ever receive it.

Good offensive defensemen don't just have these movement patterns in their toolbox — they recognize when, where, and which one to use based on the space, the defender, and the situation.

The common thread: don't wait for the lane. Create it.