Defending against down-low style teams

Question
We missed my son's practice this morning - coach is understandably not impressed. The defense practised pinning and taking away the puck from the opposing team, who apparently plays a "down-low" style of offense. What is a "down-low" style, and what things can I teach my son (he is 10) this week to help prepare/defend against such a team in our own zone, esp. against the boards.

Thanks
Cam

Answer
Hello Cam!

Great question!  Thank you!

Down low - refers to the location in an opponent's zone.  Typically it's along and below the red (goal) line.   So in your defensive zone the wingers would play 'low' in the corners helping the defense by supporting them to "take away" the puck from whoever they "pin" into the boards.  While the general rule is defense take the body and forward take the puck - as they get older - it will be first man in takes body and 2nd takes puck... Of course once the puck is retrieved it is equally important to make the right decision with it.  The center should be covering the side nearest the puck so he can protect against a pass to the opponent's defense AND be an outlet for whichever team mate retrieves the puck.  The puck should be played along the boards as much as possible to avoid giving it back to the opponent team!

The weak side wing (the winger away from the puck) should be playing in the low slot area - covering the area between opponent's winger/center and defense... and ready to speed up and out to support the center if/when he gets the puck!  The weak side defense is just above crease canceling out any forward that attempts to get open and close to the net.

This is a general description ... of course decisions need to be made as the puck moves about and the coach should go over this several more times to make sure the boys have a good understanding and ability to execute.

Hope this helps!  Feel free to follow up anytime!

Thank you!

Martial