Horseshoe Defensive Gap Progression

By: Marty Wilford

The Horseshoe Defensive Gap Progression by Marty Wilford helps defensemen practice their gaps, timing, influence on pucks, and skating forward to defend. Coaches can start the drill without defenders using sticks, and after a few reps, they can introduce sticks to help players understand the importance of proper stick positioning in defense.

Setup

• Forwards and defensemen start in opposite corners at each end of the ice.
• Important: If both ends are running simultaneously, establish a rule that forwards cannot skate to the middle of the ice until they cross the center ice line. This prevents collisions in the neutral zone.

Progression #1

• On the whistle, a forward and a defenseman skate down the ice.
• The forward receives a pass from a teammate positioned at the opposite end.
• The defenseman skates forward alongside the forward, working to keep them to the outside.

Progression #2

• The setup remains the same, but the defender’s route changes.
• The defenseman skates up the boards, then pivots to the inside before angling the forward to the outside.

After a few reps of each progression without using a stick, defenders can begin using their sticks. This will reinforce the importance of proper stick positioning for effective defense.

Coaching Points

• Forwards should aim to gain access to the middle of the ice but must not cross the center line until they pass the red line (if both ends are running simultaneously).
• Forwards should avoid skating directly alongside the defender at the same speed. Instead, they should vary their speed and avoid straight-line skating, which is easier to defend.
• Defenders should match the forward’s speed and angle them toward the outside of the ice.

Variations

• Start by having defenders skate without using their sticks.
• After a few reps, allow them to use their sticks, reinforcing how critical proper stick positioning is for effective defense.