- Reduce the puck carrier’s choices/options by putting a player between them and any potential pass receiver.
- Skate parallel to the opponent or in an arc-shaped movement, but never straight.
- Remain a little behind the carrier, preventing a sharp turn to cut inside.
- Adjust to the opponent’s speed.
- Keep the stick on the ice, ready to intercept a pass or force the opponent in the desired direction.

- Stay between the puck carrier and the player you are covering.
- Make getting the puck to the covered player difficult in the goal crease, the dangerous zone in front of the goal.
- In the defensive zone, position yourself between the opponent and the goal.
- Remain alert in order to anticipate and counter all maneuvers by attackers, using quick and appropriate movements.
- Constantly watch the puck carrier and the non-carrier being covered (head on a swivel).

There are many possibilities for using dekes. What is important is to teach the children to convey information to the opponent and then change it so that the opponent is compromised. A deke is generally followed by puck protection and acceleration.

Pay special attention to two types of dekes we suggest as part of this program: going around and putting the puck through.

Although these names are not used for these moves in the publications referred to above, they describe two possible situations. In the first case, the player in possession of the puck, after having deked, goes around the opponent. In the second case, the player in possession of the puck between the skates of the defensive player or between their stick and their skate. Use of these two terms will help the children learn the technique.

a) Skating dekes

Change of speed
The carrier chages attacking speed by changing the rate (i.e. slowing down or speeding up) and can thereby fool defensive players or force them to change their speed and position very quickly.

Outside/Inside
A player skating toward the outside of the rink forces defenders to modify their position to the outside. As soon as the carrier is out of reach of a check, a quick lateral move inside is executed, passing the defensive player and moving into scoring position.

Inside/Outside
The carrier skates in a direction that forces the defenders to modify their position to the outside, then skates and moves the puck quickly and laterally outside, accelerating passed the defensive player.

b) Body dekes

Among body dekes are movements of the head and upper or lower body to deceive defensive players and cause them to change position or to lean in the wrong direction. In this case, the carrier accelerates quickly in the opposite direction before the defensive player has time to regain control. These dekes are normally done outside the reach of the opponent’s checking. This way, the puck can cross the defensive triangle formed by the defensive player’s skates and stick.

c) Fake shots or passes

The attacker who begins a shot can force defensive players to momentarily become immobilized in the appropriate position to block the shot. At this point, the carrier can pass the defensive player and attack the net.

d) Fake looks

The carrier who looks or glances at the teammate and signals an intention to execute a pass can momentarily oblige the defensive player to change position in the direction of the receiver. This situation creates space or gives the carrier an opportunity to attack the net.

- A change of speed and/or direction is often a good way of shaking off coverage, especially if the other players have turned their backs or are pressing very closely. Sharp turns, stops, accelerating and dekes are used to accomplish this.
- Create a passing lane by keeping the stick blade on the ice.
- Get in between the covering player and the puck carrier. Than take the puck and go as far as possible away from the opponent on the opposite side.
- Cut behind a teammate to whom you have just passed the puck. Avoid letting the opponent slip between you and the new carrier.
- Cut towards the center and move towards an open space if the opponent is following the player along the boards.
- Go back if the play is not progressing quickly enough or if a defenseman is in trouble.
- A moving player is always harder to cover and can break free easier, especially if they are moving very fast.
- When being covered by an opponent, the player should never be moving at full speed, if they want to be able to accelerate at the right time. The most important thing about getting open (shaking off coverage), is selecting the right moment.

- Watch the player while keeping the puck within peripheral vision.
- Skate facing the puck carrier.
- Hold the stick with one hand with the forearm slightly bent and the elbow close to the body.
Quickly extend the forearm to jab the puck.
- Maintain the basic backward skating position.
- Keep skating when necessary.
- Always remain balanced.

- Use skates and stick to hold onto the puck.
- Use the body by putting it between the opponent and the puck, keeping the opponent away from the puck.
- Maintain the basic stance to improve balance when making abrupt changes of direction.
- Protect the puck until a teammate is available to help.

Hitting the stick
- Skate parallel to the puck carrier.
- When the puck is on the blade of the opponent’s stick, hit their stick to cause them to lose the puck.
- To be effective, hit the stick hard near the heel of the heel of the blade.

Lifting the stick
- Approach the puck carrier from behind.
- When the player is close enough, lift the opponent’s stick near the heel and take possession of the puck.
- If the player is close to the puck carrier, they move in front of him/her. The stick can be raised when you approach the opponent from an angle. Surprise and strength are necessary for this skill to succeed.