Summary
Would body checking make girls hockey better? My short answer is yesif we introduce it thoughtfully and prepare players properly. In this episode, I share my perspective as a former pro player and longtime coach on how more physicality could change our game, from scanning and decision-making to confidence and contact readiness.In this 25 minute episode, we dive into:The history of body checking in womens hockey and what we can learn from the PWHL.Why anticipating contact could change how players see the ice, protect the puck and support their teammates.My experience playing through rule changesand what Ive noticed as a coach.The question of safety, injury risk and whether better preparation is the biggest missing piece.What introducing checking could mean for different ages and levelsand why physicality belongs in player development right now.Whatever the rules allow, we need to prepare girls for the physical game they already play.SHARE: Share this episode with a teammate, parent or coachand let me know where you stand on body checking in girls hockey! Want me as your personal Hockey IQ coach all season long?Join The Orange Machine for weekly video breakdowns featuring the best female players in the world. Ill show you what to look for, why it matters and how to apply it to your own gameso you can make smarter decisions and become more of a threat with and without the puck. Join The Orange Machine