Checking is a fundamental part of hockey that, when executed properly, is a legal and essential defensive skill. Whether you're delivering or receiving checks, understanding the techniques helps you play physical hockey safely and effectively. This guide covers proper checking technique, body contact skills, and how to protect yourself when an opponent comes calling.
Understanding Checking in Hockey
The Role of Checking
Checking is how we regain possession of the puck.
Key Principles:
- Separate opponent from puck
- Win battles for loose pucks
- Create turnovers
- Finish checks legally and safely
- Protects teammates and yourself
Legal vs. Illegal Checking
Know the rules to play physical but safe hockey.
Legal Checks:
- Shoulder contact to chest/shoulder area
- Hip checks
- Stick lifts and stick checks
- Poke checks
- Angling
Illegal Checks:
- Hits from behind
- Hits to the head
- Charging (too much distance)
- Boarding
- Elbowing
Body Contact Fundamentals
Stance for Checking
Proper body position enables effective checking.
Defensive Stance:
- Feet shoulder-width apart
- Knees bent, low center of gravity
- Stick on ice, ready to engage
- Shoulders square to opponent
- Head up, watching opponent
angling
The foundation of all checking—using body position to direct opponents.
Technique:
- Get body between opponent and net
- Use speed to cut off lanes
- Guide opponent to boards or away from danger
- Maintain inside position
- Let them run into you
When to Use:
- Every defensive situation
- Protecting net front
- Neutral zone play
- Corner battles
Shoulder Check
The Primary Body Check
The shoulder check is the most common and effective body check.
Setup:
- Get set in athletic stance
- Identify opportunity
- Time your approach
- Stay on feet
Execution:
- Drive with legs, not arms
- Contact with shoulder to chest/shoulder
- Arms wrap slightly on contact
- Drive through opponent
- Keep feet moving
Key Points:
- Hit through, not at
- Shoulder drives into body
- Head up on contact
- Finish the check
Target Zones:
- Chest to shoulder area
- Never contact to head
- Avoid back and blind side
- Take away space
Shoulder Check Drills
- Shadow skating with contact
- Angling with body position
- 1v1 board battles
- Controlled collision drills
Hip Check
The Lateral Check
Using your hip and buttock area to stop an opponent's momentum.
Technique:
- Turn hip perpendicular to opponent
- Drive hip into opponent's path
- Absorb contact with leg strength
- Keep feet moving
- Stay low throughout
When to Use:
- Opponent going along boards
- Quick lateral movements
- Angle pursuit situations
- Stopping cycle plays
Common Mistakes:
- Standing upright
- Waiting for contact
- Not driving through
- Cross-checking motion
Stick Checking
Non-Body Ways to Disrupt
Stick checks separate opponent from puck without physical contact.
Poke Check
Quick stick thrust to knock puck loose.
Technique:
- Stick extended toward puck
- Quick jab motion
- Stick returns to ready position
- Don't overextend
- Go for puck, not player
When to Use:
- Close body position
- Puck carrier
- Passing lanes
- Loose puck situations
Stick Lift
Lift opponent's stick to gain puck possession.
Technique:
- Approach from side or behind
- Place stick under opponent's stick
- Lift upward with both hands
- Keep hands close together
- Time lift to their handle
When to Use:
- Setter-up plays
- Net-front battles
- Face-off draws
- Loose puck races
Stick-on-Stick Battle
- Contact with opponent's stick
- Angle away from puck
- Prevent clean handling
- Body position wins
Batting the Puck
- Knock puck out of air
- Bat to teammate or safe area
- Deflection control
- Offensive and defensive uses
Board Battles
Corner and Wall Play
Physical play along the boards wins possession.
Defensive Positioning:
- Body between opponent and puck
- Shoulder to boards
- Stick on ice
- Legs driving
Establishing Position:
- First step wins
- Get there first
- Establish inside lane
- Protect your space
Finishing the Battle:
- Extend body over puck
- Secure with stick
- Clear or pass out
- Don't get tied up
Net-Front Checking
Clearing opponents from the crease area.
Technique:
- Use body position
- Stick positioning
- Leg strength to seal
- Be physical but legal
- Work with goaltender
Tips:
- Know where goaltender is
- Don't interfere with play
- Establish early
- Use reach
Receiving Checks
How to Take a Hit
Proper technique prevents injury and maintains possession.
Body Position:
- Stay low
- Keep feet moving
- Brace for contact
- Protect head
On the Boards:
- Present shoulder to boards
- Absorb with body
- Don't turn away
- Finish getting up
Along Ice:
- Drive through if possible
- Don't get tied up
- Use arms to protect
- Stay on feet
Protecting the Puck
- Shield with body
- Know where contact coming
- Puck to outside
- Be ready to give and go
Angling and Containment
Directing Opponents
Use positioning to control the play.
Angling Technique:
- Get inside position
- Angle toward boards or away from net
- Use speed to stay in front
- Let opponent run into you
- Force into less dangerous areas
Containment:
- Control without hitting
- Maintain defensive position
- Wait for help
- Pressure at right time
Checking Safety
Injury Prevention
- Always keep head up
- Know where opponents are
- Don't lead with head
- Use proper technique
- Report injuries
Fair Play Principles
- No hits to head
- Avoid blind-side hits
- No hits from behind
- Respect opponents
- Play within rules
When Not to Check
- Will injure yourself
- Will injure opponent
- Better play available
- Risk of penalty
- Late in blowout
Checking Drills
Beginner Drills
- Angling progressions
- Stick placement drills
- Angling with contact
- Board battle fundamentals
Intermediate Drills
- 1v1 angling games
- Shoulder check approach
- Hip check situations
- Stick lift timing
Advanced Drills
- 1v1 to goal
- Small area physical play
- Board battle games
- Net-front clearing
Developing Checking IQ
Reading the Play
- Anticipate puck movement
- Know opponent tendencies
- See developing plays
- Time checks properly
Knowing When to Hit
- Opportunity presents itself
- Will gain possession
- Win battle for puck
- Create turnover
- Finish body checks
Knowing When Not to Hit
- Risk of penalty
- Better defensive option
- Put team at disadvantage
- Opponent expecting it
Conclusion
Checking is a legal and essential part of hockey when executed properly. The key is using correct technique—body position, timing, and proper contact—to win puck battles and create turnovers. Focus on angling and body position before attempting big hits.
Whether you're delivering or receiving checks, safety should always be the priority. Play physical but within the rules, respect your opponents, and use checking to create offensive opportunities for your team. When done right, good checking is one of the most satisfying aspects of hockey.