Justin Selman's full presentation at TCS Live 2023 focused on a crucial skill-set for modern defencemen: the ability to create time and space with the puck on the offensive blue line. While defending remains a core responsibility, today's top blueliners are expected to drive play, escape pressure, and contribute offensively throughout all three zones.
Rather than relying on flashy puckhandling moves, Selman emphasized the importance of using skating, body positioning, deception, and efficient puck movement to create time and space. By incorporating subtle weight shifts, cutbacks, head fakes, and changes of direction, defencemen can manipulate opponents and create better options for themselves and their teammates.
In this drill the goal is to teach defencemen to evade pressure with confidence in a dangerous area of the ice. This will help them extend possessions in the o-zone, which is a big key towards eventually scoring goals.
Watch Selman's entire presentation here.
Description
- Players line up on the blue line with a second defenceman positioned in the corner with a puck.
- The player on the blue line skates down and exchanges passes with the player in the corner.
- Progression 1: Receive the puck, skate backward along the blue line, transition to a lateral walk, attack downhill toward the net, push the puck into space, and shoot.
- Progression 2: Receive the puck, walk the blue line laterally to create a new lane, and shoot from the point.
- Progression 3: Walk the blue line with speed, make a D-to-D pass, skate out of the zone to create time and space, receive a return pass, and attack for a shot.
Key Points
- Keep the head up and scan the ice while moving laterally along the blue line.
- Change angles to improve shooting and passing lanes.
- Move the feet before moving the puck whenever possible.
- Minimize puck touches while maintaining control and possession.
