hockey coaching
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Art of Puck Possession
In hockey, the team that demonstrates the greatest control and movement of the puck, typically is the most successful. This facet of the game is termed puck possession and can be defined as having control of the puck for as long as possible. With this in mind, the only time that would be acceptable to lose control of the puck, would be after a scoring chance. As a player and a fan, I know the difficulty in maintaining puck possession even for brief periods of time, let alone an entire shift. Yet, as a coach, I understand the need to teach, preach and support this aspect of the game.
How do you teach young players not to get rid of the puck needlessly?
How do you teach players to always pass to an open teammate?
How do you teach a player to get open?
If a coach can find a way to teach these facets of the game effectively, then he will be able to develop hockey players with an ability to take their game to the next level (AAA hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, and beyond). In order to begin implementing practice plans that address puck possession skills, we need to develop an understanding of three key concepts (regroup, support and flow). You cannot master a regroup system without a solid understanding of support and flow, as such, these three concepts must be taught with an integrated approach.
Regroup:
Regrouping is simply being able to maintain puck control when forward progression of the puck is impeded or transition from defense to offence when recovering the puck from a turnover. For example, as a puck carrier, your goal is to get the puck into the offensive zone and create a scoring opportunity. However, if forward progression is impossible because of tight coverage, the puck carrier must adapt. Rather than dump the puck or force a pass and risk creating a turnover, the puck carrier should look to pass the puck sideways, and if that option isn’t available, should turn around and pass the puck backward in order to maintain possession of the puck.
A very effective use of this tactic is when you get trapped along the boards in the neutral zone. Rather than shoot the puck up the boards, the puck carrier should execute a sharp turn, and pass to the defenseman. The defenseman should then look to pass the puck to his partner (using the ice) to create a quick up opportunity and gain the zone on the other side. This regroup, when executed properly, will allow a team to gain the offensive zone quickly and create a scoring chance. By demonstrating patience with the puck in the neutral zone (ie. moving the puck from side to side or by moving it backwards), you give your teammates the opportunity to generate speed through the neutral zone and allow them to create opportunities against a defense that may get caught standing still. Two simple rules that players should try to follow:
1. As a defenseman, you should always look to use your partner as a regrouping option. Do not haphazardly dump the puck up the boards or make a difficult cross-ice pass to a forward.
2. As a forward, whenever you find yourself with the puck on your stick facing one of your defensemen, give them the puck and look to regroup.
The ability to regroup on a turnover in the neutral zone should be a part of any successful team’s game plan.
Support:
For the regroup rule to be successful, the puckcarrier must be supported on all sides (ie. front, back, left and right) at all times. This rule has the support players (non-carriers) making themselves available as valid passing options both in front and back of the puck carrier. This means that the support player should be open and reasonably close to the puck carrier.
Puck support can then be defined as a team’s ability to maintain puck control while moving the puck into a scoring opportunity. Efficient puck support requires both a team and individual mentality. From a team perspective, it requires a collective effort to move the puck into the offensive zone and create a scoring opportunity. But, as an individual, it requires each support player to provide options to the puck carrier. To become an effective support player, you must learn to anticipate the puck carrier’s intentions, read the defensive pressure, and adjust your positioning with respect to that of the puck carrier. The ability to read and react by anticipating quickly and making adjustments is of paramount importance because it requires a unified effort (ie. movement of all players) to generate a great scoring chance.
An effective support player needs to be proficient at two key tasks: the ability to get open for a pass and the ability to create space for the puck carrier. When a teammate has the puck, there should be two support players (typically one defenseman and one forward) looking to get open for a pass. Support players need to read, not only, the movement of the puck carrier, but also the movement of the defenders and the open playing surface available and then, make the necessary adjustments to maneuver into an open position and create options for the puck carrier (ie. triangulate the attack).
As an example, when in tight quarters, a give-and-go play works well, providing the puck carrier an opportunity to quickly get past a defender. A second tactic learned from the Europeans is cycling and it is another great method of puck support that enables a team to maintain control of the puck in the offensive end.
The second method for players to support the puck carrier is to create space so that the puck carrier has room to skate with the puck. This method involves the support players spreading out and away from the puckcarrier, creating time and space for that player. By providing the puck carrier with various levels of support (passing, skating, shooting) players can individually contribute for a successful team effort.
Flow:
The final concept that we will explore is flow. Flow can be defined as the movement of players in the process of interacting and reacting to the movement of the puck. The speed in which a team reacts to the movement of the puck defensively (defensive flow) will determine what options are available upon receiving the puck (offensive flow). The way in which a team reacts or responds to defensive flow and pressure will determine how successful their regroup and tranisition game is. Ideally a team would like to hit the blue line with speed and enter the zone with puck possession and an opportunity to create an offensive attack. For this to happen, the offensive team must be able to move the puck away from pressure. Each player, must also keep manuever into passing lanes to provide the puck carrier with multiple options when it comes to moving the puck. This can be accomplished through quick puck movement, close and quick support, and by all four support players becoming passing options. The ability of a team to create space and options to the weak side (ie. away from the defensive flow) will correlate to a team’s success in its transition game.
For teams to be successful in incorporating the above concepts (regroup, support and flow) into their games, the players must develop the proper skills set and the coaches must implement appropriate practice plans. Stay tuned for the next two blog posts outlining 1) what you can do as a player to improve your puck possession ability and 2) what you can do as a coach to improve your team’s ability to maintain puck possession. These concepts can be taught and reinforced during summer hockey camps, specialty hockey clinics and private training.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Hockey Coaches
(The Role of the Coach in Player Development: Part 2 of a series of discussions on factors influencing player development)
Coaches also have the ability to significantly impact the development of their players in their chosen sport(s). As with parents, the role of the coach should be one of support and encouragement with the goal of creating a progressive (and enjoyable) learning environment that fosters continued growth and helps their athletes become better hockey players.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Hockey Coaches:
1. Be respectful: As a coach, you should lead by example. Respect your players, parents, other teams (coaches and players), officials, and most importantly, respect the game. The coach must treat everyone with respect – and they will respect him in return. The game is much bigger than you, and its your honesty and integrity that will get you much farther in life than sacrificing them in order to win games.
2. Be fair and compassionate: Remember that the game is about the players, not about you. As a coach, it is your duty to coach every player on team, not just the better players. Follow this simple rule and your players (and subsequently your team) will benefit greater in the long run. Every player on the team is important to success of the team and they will contribute at some point, if given the opportunity. Similarly, rules are rules and they should apply to everyone on the team.
3. Be patient and encouraging: Effective coaches learn to continually project a positive and upbeat attitude. If not, your players will eventually catch on and begin to losing their joy for the game. Part of becoming patient involves your ability to show tolerance, understanding, perseverance and consistence. Good coaches truly care for their players and enjoy seeing their progress.
4. Be a student of the game: As a coach, you are an educator. To become an effective educator, you should be passionate about the game and strive to immerse yourself in the game. Coaches should be willing to learn, to experiment and to make mistakes (and learn from them). Every time you step on the ice, you should be willing and able to learn something new from your players.
5. Be flexible: Great coaches demonstrate flexibility and an openness to change. Flexibility can be regarded as the ability to remain strong in your convictions while yielding to some lesser issues or points.
6. Be a positive role model: Coaches should model the behavior they expect out of their athletes — “walk your talk”. Show your players how to be humble, respectful, honest, secure, passionate and confident. You will be surprised at how well they will develop, not only as players, but as people if you create the appropriate environment for them to learn in.
7. Be a good communicator: In order to impart your knowledge and love for the game, you must be able to communicate effectively with your team. For this to happen, you need to understand that not all players will respond to criticism and praise in the same way, nor do all players learn in the same way. The development of an effective communication strategy begins with getting to know your players, understanding how each player learns, and then adapting your style/method of delivery to suit each player’s individual needs.
When you agree to become a hockey coach, you accept a responsibility to be true to the game and be true to the players you coach. It is your duty to create an environment that pushes every one of your players to strive to become the best that they can be. Think back to your childhood and remember all of the coaches and teachers who had, both positive and negative, influences on your growth and development (as a hockey player and as an individual), and utilize those experiences to help you become a better person, a better educator and a better coach.
Stay tuned for the next post looking at the Players Role in His/Her Own Development.
