RSG Defense First Hockey Camp

AGES: SQUIRTS & OLDER

Defense First Hockey Camp

In today's fast-paced game, forwards are quicker and more skilled than ever. To shut them down, the modern defender has to be just as agile, smart, and precise.

Led by Coach Ray Vallejo—a former instructor for renowned power skating expert Robby Glantz—the Defense First Camp is designed for both defensemen and forwards who want to master the defensive side of the puck.

Core Areas of Development:

 Elite Defensive Power Skating: Leveraging Coach Ray’s background to master explosive backward lateral movement, quick transitions, and flawless edge work.

 Tactical Gap Control & Angling: Learning how to take away time and space, dictate player movement, and force turnovers before the rush can develop.

 Defensive Zone Mastery: Improving body coordination, positioning, and physical play to win battles in front of the net and along the boards.

 Puck Retrievals & Breakouts: Mastering the art of absorbing a check, securing the puck under pressure, and making a clean, efficient first pass.

 Offensive Blue Line Skills: Training defensemen to walk the line, get shots through traffic, and safely activate into the play.

 Video Analysis & Hockey IQ: Breaking down real game tape and situational play to help athletes read the ice, anticipate the opposition, and make smarter decisions.

Defense wins games. Give your player the skating foundation and tactical hockey IQ they need to dominate the defensive zone.

Camp Structure

• 2 one-hour on-ice sessions
• 1 hour of dryland training to boost athletic performance
• 60–90 minutes of video review for tactical development

Daily Focus

• Day 1: Backward skating skills
• Day 2: Walking the line & offensive skills for defensemen
• Day 3: Angling & body contact
• Day 4: Battle drills & game situations