Here or some of the things I didn't have time to cover during the practice please watch the following videos.
During a one on one as a forward you need to move the defenseman side to side opening the ice. As a defenseman you need to eliminate the ice and move the forward to the out side. Winning the one on one battles will give use control of the puck.
Two on one is a game situation that gives us the advantage and the best opportunity to score a goal. The forwards have an advantage and the defence is at a disadvantage but, with out good communication and planning this advantage will not result in a goal.
Three on one these don't happen that often in a game but knowing what to do will give us a high possibility of scoring a goal. Keep the attack triangle and take decisive action will give use the best chance to capitalize on the advantage.
Power Play Part 2This is part 2 of the power play System. The system I want us to use is the wings play the off side this system focuses on the alignment of the players. The wings see more of the ice, have better passing angles and can "one-touch" shoot the puck with this alignment. The positioning has the wings spread wide, with the center down deep in the zone. The first option is to move the puck to the wings, who shoot. The Center's role is primarily that of a playmaker. Last time I focused on the Basic alignment and this play please review Power Play Part one before reading the rest of this. |
 This is the Play we
focused on last time. Moving X 3 is out of position is best done with the
LD passes quickly to the RW or the RD, who, in turn, passes to the LW. The
LW moves to the slot area before X3 can get back to cover. |
 A second Play is
to have the RW shift to the hash marks if the Penalty killer X4 is out of position. X4's bad
position ( crowding the RD too closely) allows the RW to move to the slot
and receive a pass from the LD, the LW or the Center. |
 A third possible play is to have a defenseman (LD) move into a position to
shoot. Then if X3 checks the LD too closely or if X4 checks the RW too
closely, the defenseman (RD) is able to move to a high percentage shooting
area. |
Shooting to ScoreShooting to Score. You need to be able to SKATE TO PLAY! You need
to be able to SCORE TO WIN! Everyone loves to score goals, after all
that is why we do all the skating, passing, back checking, stick
handling and sacrificing... To score a goal! There are a couple of
things you can do to increase your chances of scoring that goal. |
 Scoring is a game of
numbers...The more you shoot the greater the chances of scoring. Studies have demonstrated that the average player gets 2-3 shots in a game. Work to goalie weakness: low (6-12") to the corners of the net from the hash marks out. Best percentage is to the goalie stick side. Shooting from the hash marks in... Think top shelf (top of the net). With a lot of goalies dropping to take away the bottom of the net... in close to the net: upstairs is usually the best percentage shot. |
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Increase your odds of 'finishing' the play with a goal: 1. Watch the puck... Take a quick look at the net and find the goalie and net... Then find the puck on your stick... Your stick follow-through determines the path of your shoot. 2. Train your self to focus on the visible net and not the goalie. If you look at the goalie then you will shot at the goalie. 3. Studies have shown that 80% of goals are after the initial shot... Don't watch the shooter... get to the net for a rebound, deflection or screen. 4. Rebounds are a player’s best chance to score. Get to the net, the goalie is usually off balance and not prepared for the second attempt. Pretty goals don't win games... UGLY goals through 'mucking around the net' are the hallmark of a hard working, winning team. 5. Speaking of rebounds... It is hard to get a rebound if the shot misses the net! Players have to get their shot on the net. There is nothing more frustrating than working your way down the ice for a shot and watching the attempted shot sail wide, go around the boards and end up back in the neutral zone or your end! 6. Know where to shoot to optimize the rebound opportunity... if you want a rebound to go to a player breaking in from the opposite side of the net. Shoot low to the far side of the net and not the short side. Use the goalie, like you would the boards, to create a rebound pass to your 'crashing' player. 7. After your shot don't go for the ‘SKATE’ into the corner or turning your back on the goalie, net and puck... STOP! Be ready and looking for the rebound. 8. Your scoring attempt does not stop with the initial shot... until you hear the whistle the play is 'live'. Don't stand there expecting the goalie to hand you the puck for a 2nd shot... keep after that puck... but stop immediately when you hear the whistle. 9. Be prepared... if you are in front of the net after the puck… you need to expect to be roughed up. Don't stand there with locked knees in an upright position. Keep your stick on the ice with your knees bent in a power position. |
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Additional ideas to help increase your Scoring... Screens – Shoot through traffic in front of the net, keep the puck down... Making it harder to see the puck and easier to bounce off shin pads, skates and sticks. Tip-ins – Stand in line with the shot between the puck and the goalie. Try to deflect the puck as it goes by you rather than waving at it in front of you. Shoot Often – There is no such thing as a bad shot. You need to shoot to score goals. Don't worry about the angle however you must 'hit' the net! You may need to shoot an average of 4-10 shots per goal you score. Rebounds – Always head to the net when a team-mate is about to shoot. Don't wait until the shot is taken, get to the net first! Don't be 'proud'... be a ‘garbage goal collector’. Most goals are scored on rebounds, always expect a rebound, even from your own shot. Shoot Quickly – A quick release often catches a goalkeeper before he can get feet set, challenge the shot and establish their angle. Don't forget the 5-Hole – Always it is best to get your shot on net and the 5-Hole is a great location. If your aim is bad, you’ll probably' hit’ the corner and always crash the net for any rebound. Odd Player Rushes – Should always end with a shot on goal. Unless your team-mate is wide open, look to shoot, every pass you make is an opportunity to lose the puck (this really applies the younger the players). A shot and rebound usually results in a better scoring opportunity than a pass. Some coaches of younger players tell their defence to always take the puck carrier and force the pass... Know the Goalies Strengths and Weaknesses - Know the opposing goalkeeper’s weaknesses. Example: stick side, high blocker, big rebounds, etc. Shots from the Point - Shots need to be about a foot high. This gives the forwards the best opportunity to screen, redirect or get a rebound. Bottom-line - Good goal scorers are hungry for goals. Skill is important but often guts, heart, grit, 'can do attitude' and hockey smarts can get you that goal! |
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You work so hard to get the puck into scoring position. Increase your
chances of 'finishing' the play with a goal. 1. Seeing the net and not the goalie. If you look at the goalie and not the open net ... Chances are you will shoot where you are looking...Right at the goalie. 2. Make sure the you 'find' the puck on your stick to start the shot. As you finish the shot the stick follow-through will determine the direction of your shot. All to often a player lift their heads to early and miss the shot. 3. Play the percentages...
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Reading pressure and controlling the puck behind our net This weeks topic is using the net to avoided pressure and
start the break with control. In the last few games I had a
number of questions on controlling the puck behind the net and we have
been having problems with the breakout. When the defence has control
of the puck and is being pressured by a fore checker. The forwards
must read the play and anticipate the defensemen's move to break free
of the check. Reading this early will allow you to setup for the
breakout early and move with speed into the prime reception zones. |
 When the
defence is under pressure and retreating behind the net. The defence needs
to read the pressure that is pursing. If the fore checker follows you
behind the net cut up ice as soon as you round the net. This way the net
will block the fore checker and you will be able to accelerate away from
the pressure to open ice. The fore checker is now behind the play and you
are effectively a five on four. The forwards need to read this and make
them self's a good passing option for the defence man who is now moving up
center ice with speed. |
 If the fore
checker cut in front of the net to cut of the defence. The Defence man
should stop and reverse behind the net. Timing here is critical you must
wait until the checker is committed to go around the front of the net
before you change directions. This buy you time. If the fore checker tries
to come around the net you can use the net again to block the forward and
accelerate into open ice. The net affectively interferes with the fore
checker. Now you are once again five on four form deep in your zone. |
 The third option is
that the fore checker stops in front of the net to see what you will do.
The defence stops behind the net. Now you have time to read the forwards
and setup a good breakout. The forwards will have time to come back to
receive a break out pass and setup for a controlled break out. |
| As a forward reading the pressure the defence is under will help you react to the play and get into proper position to receive the breakout pass. You need to be ahead of the play to anticipate and be in the right place to breakout quickly. Practice reading these plays when you are on the bench that way you will learn how your defence will react to these situations. Next time I will detail the Break out. |
Breakouts General PrincipalsTeam work. The Systems for breakouts are not complicated. They are deliberately kept simple, because in your own end, it is execution that counts. Each player must know what everyone else's responsibility is as well as her own. Breakout plays succeed when everyone is in sync with everyone else. Breakouts call for Teamwork. Gain control of the puck. The players must not move to their breakout positions until the team has absolute control of the puck. All players need to read, anticipate, and react to know when to drop their defensive coverage and get into position for a breakout. If players move prematurely, they may be leaving their opponents open for a quick scoring opportunity if the opposition gains control of the puck. Create space. Space is needed for the breakout play to develop, and players have to create that space. Although many breakouts appear to involve only one or two players in the execution of the play, all players need to assume a role to enhance the likelihood of success. The perfect pass to an open forward seems most evident—however, the players away from the puck also play a significant role. This point reflects the necessity for team play during a breakout. By creating space as a team, you create options for the team. Maintain puck control. No turnover is more dangerous than one that occurs in your defensive zone. The first pass must be accurate. If it isn’t, the receiver should do whatever possible to gain control of the puck. It is essential that all receivers control the puck after receiving a pass. |
The system I want us to use is the positional system it is a conservative
system with basic principles.
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 Once
the defence has control of the puck the forwards need to move form their
defensive coverage to the breakout locations. The forward need to move
into these zones as soon as they recognize that the defence is moving form
the strong side coverage to the weak side. Use good timing to fill the
passing lanes. Wingers need to come deep into the zone notice that
the wingers come down as low as the hash marks. Be prepared for a pass at
any time do not turn away form the play always pivot so you can maintain
good eye contact with the defence. |
 As
the defence rounds the net all the forwards need to make them self's
support options for a short quick pass by skating with speed in to the
open passing zones. The defence controls the puck up ice this action
forces the opponents defence back making space for the forwards to fill
the reception zones . |
 Each
Forward needs to fill their zone so that the defence has 3 passing
options. This skating pattern gives the defence many option for
moving the puck out of the zone.
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| As a forward reading the pressure the defence is under will help you react to the play and get into proper position to receive the breakout pass. You need to be ahead of the play to anticipate and be in the right place to breakout quickly. Practice reading these plays when you are on the bench that way you will learn how your defence will react to these situations. Next time I will detail more break out options. |
Here a drill that we can try next time we have a practice. The principals are the same for game play the objective is to create 2 on 1 in the corner and confuse the defenders
Scoring chances off the cycle
Basic cycle in the
offensive zone
Purpose: Teaches players to use the cycle to create a 2-on-1
situation from the offensive corner.
Basic
Alignment. The three forwards form a triangle in the offensive zone.
Either the puck-side wing (LW) or the first forward in the zone attacks
the puck. The Center backs up the LW, and the third forward (RW) is in the
slot. The defenseman take up normal positions on the blue line.
The objective is to
pressure the puck carrier. The LW moves on X1. The center positions
herself either to move in and help the LW or to stay with X3.
If the LW has two
players to contend with (X1 and X5) the center moves in to help. the Ld
must be in position to check X3
If the puck is passed
behind the net (X1 to X2) the RW moves in to pressure X2. the Center then
moves across to backup the RW, and the LW moves to the slot, and the
triangle is re-established.
If the puck is passed
around the boards to x4, the RD must move in on X4, the LD moves
across to cover the RD's position, and the Center pulls back to the LD's
position.
This diagram
illustrates the triangular positioning of the forwards
This diagram
illustrates the triangular configuration with the center's position
backing up the wing. Remember that this is a moving triangle with the
point always pressuring the puck and forcing a turn over. Once we have the
puck control the play if you don't have the puck make sure that you have
an open option for the puck carrier and be ready to change back to the for
check if we loss control.
Basic Alignment. The
defensive zone is divided into five zones. There is some overlapping of
the zones. The wings cover the two points, the center covers the slot
area, and the defenseman cover from the front of the net to the corners.
In addition to the
zone each player is responsible for one opponent. The wings cover the
opposition's defensemen , the center covers the opposition's center, and
the defenseman cover the opposition's wings. The man-to-man coverage
encourages more overlapping of the zones than in a strict zone defence.
The objective is
to prevent the opposition form creating any 2-on-1, 3-0n-1 or 3-on-2
situations. when the opposition overloads one zone, a defensive player
leaves his zone to cover his check. When this happens, the other players
increase their zone area. for example, if the center goes to the corner to
help the LD and to cover his check, the Centers zone (slot area) is
vacated. The RW and the LW become responsible for the high slot, and the
RD for the Deep slot. Read and react to the loss of coverage this new area
becomes your responsibility. Stay with your checks.
When the play
moves into the defensive zone, the wings normally go deep with their
checks until the defensemen are able to assume their man to man
responsibility. The Center normally moves to the slot area and covers the
trailer, or if one of his wings has gone deep back checking the Center
picks up the wings responsibilities at the point.
Basic Alignment.
The wings (LW and RW) are spread apart. The Center is deep in the zone,
and the defensemen (RD and LD) play normal positions
The Alignment of
the players permits a number of different passing avenues. Keep moving to
maintain open passing lanes.
Player movements
on the weak side (LW and LD), coupled with puck movement on the strong
side (RW, C, RD), is the key to creating an open forward for a shot.
The primary play
is to get the LW open for a shot. Normally, this is done with a pass form
the strong side (RW, C, or RD).
In order for the
LW to be open, the penalty killer (X3) has to be forced out of position.
Basic Alignment.
One forward (P1) is deep, and the second forward (P2) stays back toward
the blue line. The defensemen play their normal positions on the
opponents' blue line.
The forwards each cover
one side of the ice. If P1 goes with the puck, P2 moves to the side away
form the puck. the reverse can be used, with P2 moving to the puck and P1
moving to the opposite side. The positioning of P2 should discourage the
power play unit form coming up the middle.
In the neutral zone
option A, the forwards cover the outside lanes. The defensemen are
responsible for the middle and should stand-up and force the play.
In the neutral zone
option B. P2 clogs up the middle with the objective of forcing the play
toward the boards. P1, if she can gets back, has the choice of moving to
one side or the other. The defensemen play wide and are responsible for
the outside lanes. A variation of this is to have P2 pressure the puck
when it is in the middle of the ice.
