How can a defender defend against a reverse stick hit?

Hockey CoachCoach

Not easily! It risks taking a hit if not done quickly enough though! I found the answer on either here or youtube a few years ago... probably here. As the defender, you need to realise that the attacker is very unlikely to hit themselves with their stick when reverse-striking. Therefore, if you get close enough to their body, you're least likely to be hit yourself. Hold your stick in your right hand and get as close as possible face-to-face with the attacker (almost standing on their toes), then use the stick in your right hand to block/tackle the ball. You basically mirror what they are doing. Don't go in with stick in left hand, as this requires you to drop your head towards the path of the stick- not a good idea unless you're wearing a helmet!! Think about it and walk it through with a team-mate in training. It does make sense and does work. I just hope my explanation is straightforward enough...

Hockey CoachCoach

Thank you Mark... your reply is grately appreciated!

Adnan ZakirCoach, England

Well its very easy if defender maintain the required dictance with the attacker if defender take a stick on his right hand and attacker show that he is doin reverse shot and suddenly he take a ball on his forhand or between the legs of the diffender.But last year i was working on that and its work when defender close the center channle and allow to defender to take reverse shot and get close down very quickly with diagnol stick position and put his boday wait on attacker's body to make his self save from the attacker stick and diffender stick become a shiled .The foot work and the distance is very importent.Its difficult to explain here but l try to explain my concept or i will try to make a movie clip for this situation to make more comfortable for you. cheers.