Defence vs Offence Hockey: Understanding the Basics for New Fans

If you're new to the sport, the phrase “defence vs offence hockey” can feel a little like learning a new language. I get it! Because when I started watching hockey about two years ago, I’d never really watched sports before. So, every term felt foreign.

But at Best Chirps Hockey, we’re not just here to share clean-but-savage chirps. We also want to help you understand the game itself. So let’s break down the difference between offence and defence in hockey.

What Offence Really Means in Hockey

The offensive side is the part of the team that’s actively trying to score a goal. Their job is straightforward: create plays, move the puck up the ice, find openings, and get the puck past the opposing goalie.

When your team is “on offence,” they’re pushing the play forward. Think:

• Passing

• Setting up shots

• Creating pressure around the net

If you’re brand new, just look for which team is moving the puck toward the goal you want to see them score on. That’s your offence in motion.

Understanding Defence: Protecting the Net

On the flip side of defence vs offence hockey, the defensive side is focused on preventing the other team from scoring. They work to block shots, break up plays, protect their goalie, and keep the puck out of danger zones.

A team on defence is usually:

• Backing into their zone

• Blocking shooting lanes

• Interrupting passes

• Clearing the puck away from the net

If the puck is near your team’s goalie and everyone suddenly looks very serious… you’re watching the defence at work.

In the Simplest Terms: Score vs. Stop the Score

Hockey can get wonderfully complex the deeper you go, but it all comes back to this:

• Offence = trying to score

• Defence = trying to stop the score

Once you understand who’s doing what and why, the entire game starts to make more sense!