Lesson 4: Defensive Positioning & "The Crease"

1. Why is "stick-on-stick" defense more effective than "body-on-body" in floor hockey? 2. How do you force an offensive player to their "weak side"?

Hockey stick, puck, stick on stick, defensive triangle

2.12.1 Demonstrates knowledge of tactics and strategies within lifetime sports & activities.

(DOK 2) Illustrate the "defensive triangle" used to protect the high-scoring area (the slot).
(DOK 3) Formulate a plan to defend against an opponent who is significantly faster than you.

Collaborative Delegation: "Passing the puck" is a direct metaphor for delegating tasks in a professional environment—trusting others to execute their role so the group succeeds.

Pattern Recognition: Learning to see "triangles" and "lanes" on the court trains the brain to recognize patterns in data, social structures, and logistics.

Emotional Regulation: Managing the high-intensity environment of a game while adhering to safety rules (like "no high-sticking") builds the emotional intelligence required for high-stress careers and personal relationships.

Hockey defense is just standing and waiting for the offense to shoot.

Teams will be divided equally by skill
Multiple games - different skill levels
Use balls and pucks

Students will demonstrate the proper technique in a 3 vs 3 defensive drill.

Students will explain the defensive positioning to properly defend your own goal.

• Sticks: 30–35 floor hockey sticks (variety of left/right blades).

• Pucks/Balls: 30 plastic pucks and 30 low-bounce floor hockey balls.

• Goals: 2 full-sized nets and 4–6 "pop-up" or mini-nets for small-sided games.

• Safety Gear: Goalie masks and gloves (for goalies); Scrimmage Vests.

• Markers: 24 high-visibility cones and poly-spots.

• Assessment Tools: Whistle, clipboards, and iPads/Chromebooks for video peer-review.