Angling: Your Secret Weapon

Ice hockey is a physical sport where players must combine skill, strategy, and physicality to succeed. One of the most crucial techniques in a player's defensive arsenal is angling. Angling is the art of using body positioning to steer an opponent into a less advantageous area of the ice, making it easier to execute effective body contact and checking. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of angling in ice hockey and how it pertains to good body contact and checking.

What is Angling?

Angling involves using your body and stick to guide an opponent towards the boards or into a less threatening area of the ice. By doing so, you limit their options and create opportunities for turnovers. Effective angling requires anticipation, positioning, repetition, and timing. It's not just about skating fast; it's about thinking ahead and using your body to control the play.

The Role of Angling in Body Contact

Body contact in ice hockey is not just about brute force; it's about precision and control. Angling plays a significant role in setting up effective body contact. Here's how:

1. Positioning: By positioning yourself correctly, you can force the opponent to move in a direction that benefits your team. This often means steering them towards the boards where they have less space to maneuver.
2. Timing: Good angling allows you to time your body contact perfectly. Instead of lunging at the opponent, you can glide into them, using your body weight and momentum to make a clean, effective check.
3. Control: Angling helps you maintain control over the play. By guiding the opponent, you can ensure that your body contact is legal and effective, reducing the risk of penalties.

Angling and Checking

Checking is a fundamental aspect of ice hockey, and angling is essential for executing checks effectively. Here's how angling enhances checking:

1. Reducing Speed: By angling an opponent, you can reduce their speed before making contact. This makes it easier to deliver a solid check without risking injury to yourself or the opponent.
2. Creating Turnovers: Effective angling can lead to turnovers. By guiding the opponent into a less advantageous position, you increase the chances of them losing control of the puck, allowing your team to regain possession.
3. Maintaining Defensive Structure: Angling helps maintain your team's defensive structure. By steering opponents into specific areas, you can ensure that your team remains organized and ready to counterattack.

Angling in Offensive Play

While angling is often associated with defense, it is equally important for offensive play. Here's why:

1. Creating Space: Offensive players can use angling to create space for themselves and their teammates. By positioning their bodies to shield the puck and steer defenders away, they can open up passing and shooting lanes.
2. Maintaining Possession: Effective angling helps offensive players maintain possession of the puck. By using their bodies to protect the puck and guide defenders, they can keep control and make plays.
3. Setting Up Plays: Angling can be used to set up offensive plays. By steering defenders into less advantageous positions, offensive players can create opportunities for their teammates to get open and take shots on goal.
4. Drawing Penalties: Skilled angling can force defenders into making mistakes, such as tripping or hooking, leading to penalties and power-play opportunities for the offensive team.

Tips for Effective Angling

To master angling, players should focus on the following tips:

1. Anticipate the Play: Always be aware of the opponent's options and anticipate their next move. This will help you position yourself effectively.
2. Use Your Stick: Your stick is an extension of your body. Use it to guide the opponent and limit their options.
3. Stay Low and Balanced: Maintain a low center of gravity and stay balanced. This will help you control your movements and deliver effective body contact.
4. Communicate: Communication with your teammates is crucial. Let them know where you're guiding the opponent so they can be ready to support you.

Why Angling is a Learned Skill

Angling is not an innate ability; it is a learned skill that requires practice and experience. Here’s why:

1. Understanding the Game: To angle effectively, players must have a deep understanding of the game, including positioning, opponent tendencies, and team strategies. This knowledge comes from studying the game and gaining experience on the ice.
2. Developing Anticipation: Anticipation is key to angling. Players need to read the play and predict the opponent's moves. This skill develops over time through practice and game situations.
3. Improving Skating Skills: Effective angling requires strong skating skills, including edge work, balance, and agility. Players must work on their skating to ensure they can position themselves correctly and maintain control while angling.
4. Building Confidence: Confidence is crucial for executing angling techniques. Players need to trust their abilities and make quick decisions. This confidence is built through repetition and positive reinforcement from coaches and teammates.

Conclusion

Angling is a vital skill in ice hockey that enhances body contact and checking. By mastering angling, players can control the play, create turnovers, and maintain their team's defensive structure. It's not just about physicality; it's about strategy, anticipation, and precision. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting, focusing on angling will undoubtedly improve your defensive game and make you a more effective player on the ice. Remember, angling is a learned skill that requires dedication and practice, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Additionally, incorporating angling into offensive play can create space, maintain possession, set up plays, and draw penalties, making it an essential skill for all aspects of the game.