This article by Justin Sather is a great primer for playing effective defense. It happens fast. The offense will fake with his head, drop his shoulder, or look like he’s made the mistake of hanging the puck just inside your reach. A millisecond later you’re in the dust. Everyone on the bench saw it coming. Why didn’t you? It’s the deke, and although it comes in a million shapes and sizes there is one chance to catch it, and the solution starts with that group that “saw it coming”.
Here, Justin Sather explains why you lost your man, and the puck. Why did the fans and the bench see you miss that move, when you had no idea it was coming? The answer is simple. They were further away then you. When playing in a one on one situation, chances are you are right up in each others business. Where are you looking? Are you watching his eyes, the puck, or his chest?
Sather says that what you should be watching is his hips. The hips don’t lie as they say, and it is very true. Don’t be distracted by the puck. Yes, it is your goal to get control of it and yes, it is your job to clear it from your own defensive side, but it will only do what he tells it to do. Watch him!
In this case it’s all about the center of gravity. Missed on a head fake? There’s not much way he can lose his balance there. He’s not invested any of his body mass for that. Watch his chest? He will have to commit pretty hard to beat you there, but all it takes is a toe drag and you’re playing catch up. His hips are his center of gravity. He can’t fake or move without them or he will be on his butt on the ice. The nice thing is, you’ll probably also still be able to pick up the puck in your peripheral vision.