I’ve spent many weekends on the road – from the ‘6 to Niagara to parts unknown (WWE reference for all you wrestling fans out there). After talking to all of our coaches, here are 3 common trends that we are seeing amongst all of our travel teams this Spring (that we need to improve):
*** Warning this is not an article designed to be negative towards anyone. It is indirect feedback that can be used for development ***
Fix 1 = Changing
Not so great times to change…
a) On a 3v2 going towards your goalie
b) When the other team has complete control of the puck in the neutral zone
c) When the puck is in your own zone, unless you have complete control of the puck and the other team is also changing
d) At the same time as all of your line-mates, unless the puck is in deep and the other team is multiple strides away from getting the puck
Good times to change…
a) When our team has control of the puck in the offensive zone (encouraged)
b) When our team chips the puck deep into the other teams zone
c) When we are attacking the other team with complete control in the neutral zone, with plenty of space (turnover is unlikely)
d) When you are very close to the bench and the other team does not have the puck yet
Fix 2 = Hustling Away From The Puck, When Our Team Has It
If we win the face-off in the defensive zone, players have to leave their tie-up position and get to an area of the ice where the puck-carrier can make them a pass (direct or indirect). Get open! Hustle! Get your stick down, create a target, make it easy for the puck-carrier. It’s amazing how many times we win a face-off in our own zone, yet have no play because everyone takes so long to get to good areas of the ice for support. We often forget to tie-up on face-offs, especially in the neutral zone.
Fix 3 = Back-Checking + 1v1 Defending
Back-checking is – in theory – quite simple. When the other team has the puck, you track back between the neutral zone face-off dots and get a stick length away from a player on the opposing team (taking away a passing lane/being able to lift a stick and win a battle if the puck ends up in your space). Preferably, you’re in-between the puck carrier and the person on the other team who you are guarding (doesn’t always happen, but a great situation when it does). But to see a group of 5 players do the above is pretty rare. Often times, players a) backcheck outside the dots or to the wings, even though we do not have the puck b) change on the back-check or c) stop moving their feet at their own teams teams blue line, allowing the offensive team to get a step or two on them). How to fix this? See fix 1 (changes). We often change when we are tired vs when we need to stay on schedule. It’s also on coaches to reward good defensive behaviour/positioning/effort like offence is rewarded.
Honorable Mentions
*** Defensive zone coverage (overall). We often chase the puck above the tops of the circles when the pass goes to the point.
*** Winning net front battles. We are often outnumbered in net front situations (because we often have 3 forwards chasing the puck above the ringette line). When defending in the net front, you have to lift opponents sticks with your own and “box out” your opponent. If you aren’t in position to do that, you can front the shot (block it) with your body.
Until Next Time,
AP