These words are straight from the D1 playbook:

"Backchecking demonstrates committment to the team!"

"SHOW YOU ARE COMMITTED!"

"Good backchecking starts with proper forecheck positioning and rotation."

Objectives (or the commandments of back-checking)

1. Never allow an odd man attack

2. Leave first 2 attackers for defense if there are trailers

3. ELIMINATE the trailers

4. Identify your defensive zone responsibility on entry to the zone: remember the first forward back protects the high slot, then the other two get the points (unless the points pinch in, then play man-to-man).

GENERAL TASKS

1. ALWAYS have one forward high in the offensive zone. This has the following benefits:

a. allows defense to safely pinch

b. man is prime scoring position

c. man is in good backchecking position

2. Any time we have an offensive zone turnover, think defense and backcheck hard!

3. Eliminate opposing defense early - beat them up the ice to your zone.

KEY TACTICS on backcheck

-Establish position inside relative to opponent: CONTROL the middle of the ice

-Break attacker stride with some contact (short of getting called for interference)

-If your man goes behind the defense, follow him (man to man)

-If your man tries has the puck, and is trying to go around teh defense, cut off his "real-estate" by taking away his cut to the middle