Backchecking is a defensive transition play in ice hockey that is made primarily in the neutral zone. It is a type of checking that aims to limit the opponents options as they head up the ice towards the backchecking teams end zone. Backchecking is usually initiated by situations such as losing the puck in the opponents half of the ice, the opponents having played through the first line of pressure in their own end zone, or losing a faceoff in the neutral zone.

An important aspect of backchecking is counting the opponents players to ensure that the opponents are not gaining any significant numerical advantages on the ice during transition. Failure to count numbers, particularly in the neutral zone, by the backchecking team can lead to numerical advantages by the opponent when entering the backchecking teams end zone. A proper backcheck leads to significantly less time and space for the opponents during transition, which may cause them to turn the puck over, effectively avoiding an end zone entry altogether. If not, then the defensive team will still be well-organized following a zone entry by the opponent, and thus a proper backcheck also helps in limiting scoring chances in subsequent play on the ice.

In summary, backchecking is a defensive play made by the team without the puck to limit the opponents options as they head up the ice towards the backchecking teams end zone. It is initiated by situations such as losing the puck in the opponents half of the ice, the opponents having played through the first line of pressure in their own end zone, or losing a faceoff in the neutral zone. A proper backcheck leads to less time and space for the opponents during transition, which may cause them to turn the puck over, effectively avoiding an end zone entry altogether.