1v1 Rush: Steer It Wide

Objective: Defend the rush the percentage way: surrender the outside, own the middle, and close at the top of the circle. Setup: Attackers start at center with a puck; D picks them up at the blue line with a proper gap. Live to the net. Execution: Attacker builds speed through the neutral zone and attacks 1v1. D holds inside position on the dot line, giving only the outside lane. At the top of the circle the D closes: stick on puck, hip through the hands, kill the play to the corner. Coaching points: Inside shoulder on the dot line — the middle of the ice is never for sale. Don't reach early: a missed poke at the blue line is a breakaway. Close when HIS options shrink — the top of the circle is the kill zone.