What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Yes, “What’s Wrong with this Picture?“, because that’s exactly what I’ve been asking of my fellow hockey folks for several months…

This photo happens to show one of my all-time best students.  And, while he was always one of the best at protecting the puck in these types of plays, he’s making one glaring mistake — at least at the moment this photo was taken.

Thankfully, a number of members have weighed-in, or offered their opinions or guesses, and I applaud the bulk of them for coming fairly close to what I’ll be suggesting down below...

Now, so let me make an adjustment to the above snapshot, by removing the enemy checker from the original scene…

Let me suggest that the original snapshot looks as though our puckcarrier is leaning on the checker, when in fact, he is. And, as my memory serves me well, my guy fell as the checker gave way slightly, and actually took a penalty for his efforts. (I honestly don’t believe he deserved that penalty, but I can’t blame the on-ice official for his call, either.)

Okay, I’ll often needle my players for assuming the above posture, suggesting that a slight breeze would cause them to fall if they remained that way for very long.

So, how can a player gain strength in such a confrontation? Take a look at the following…

Now, pardoning my artwork a bit, let me assure every observe that placing the inside leg under the player’s body accomplishes two things:

• first, it’s going to supply the same support against a checker as would leaning towards him, and
• secondly, it’s going to make him far more stable with that inside leg under his body.

Hopefully I’ve explained myself well enough, while I’m willing to take more time should anyone ask for a clarification.