Being Aggressive...

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[jeterplayer2]

My team had a big game the other day so I was trying to be aggressive. My coach told me I was  "overplaying the ball" I guess I was getting  too close to the person with the ball and you should be a stick and a step away.  I want the ball so I go for it but I don't want to do it the wrong way?  How do I be aggressive but play controlled and clean hockey? Jabbing?   

[ArchusXV]

shout

[floccinauci]

No idea if it is entirely legal, but when I play I don't get penalised for it... Go into the good old block tackle, having jabbed a couple of times delibarately around the ball, get the ball in the block and then stand up, straight into them if necessary.

[bucket]

When defending against a player with the ball, you're right that you should be a good distance away so you can channel. It is not your job to win the ball but to force the player into a position where your sweeper or another player can come in and make the block tackle. You can jab, but this should only be used to keep the attacker's head down and let him/her know you're there. Being too aggressive here can lead to you getting too close, or diving into a block tackle leaving yourself open to be beaten, so keep your discipline.

However when defending off the ball (marking) you can afford to be much more aggressive. Get close to and level with your attacker so that you can step in front to intercept, ideally releasing an early pass to spark a breakaway attack.

Aggression can be a good trait when defending but use it in the appropriate situations.

Happy hunting!

[ugals]

Hey mate,

Deffending is an art.. and to be an artist in it you must indeed be agressive. Being agressive means showing with your body language that the incoming attacker will not go past you. Use some japs and fake japs along with some nice feet movement to channel your opponent and to force him to make an attacking movement (make him "start" the dribbling movement) once its done you can get the ball with no harm. But in fact, since in a defending situation the more the time goes the better it goes for you (if you gain time it allows your teammates to go back and help you) the real defender will show agressive attitude along with patience, because with top skilled player what you have to do is wait for your opponents mistake to take profit from it.

I hope that helps you. Remember.. 1 vs 1 is all about patience.. force the other's error and wait for help to get a 1 vs 2 situation to gain the ball.