Pet Peeve – Offsides

May 7, 2013 Leave a comment

Is there anything more controllable for a team on the ice than staying onside? Smart, simple plays at the offensive blue line will ensure that a team never goes offsides and is able to attack the opponent effectively.

Teams and players with high hockey IQ rarely, if ever, go offside. They read and recognize plays as they develop and they make the appropriate move with or without the puck to prevent an offside call and maintain their attacking momentum.

Plays that I frequently see resulting in an offside call include the following:

  • Not headmanning the puck – a player may be open up ice but a player doesn’t see or refuses to pass
  • Overhandling the puck – players will try to make an extra move at or near the blue line, not realizing that their teammates are attempting to judge their speed and hit the line at the same time
  • Flat passes – rather than placing a pass up ice, players will make a lateral pass to their teammate at the blue line and their resulting momentum will carry them offside
  • Refusal to chip into space – often, defensemen will attempt to use the blue line to their advantage and hold a tight gap. Forwards need to recognize this and chip the puck into space behind them, rather than trying to stickhandle or skate past the defenseman

Staying onside allows you to attack your opponent with speed – the momentum you have gathered moving up ice can be continued into the offensive zone. Getting the puck over the blue line with smart, effective plays can create a good forechecking opportunity or a great offensive chance off the rush.

 

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The Time is Near…

October 22, 2012 Leave a comment

As a NESCAC Hockey Coach, one of the challenges of my job is the limited amount of time we have with our players. November 1 is the first allowable day of practice for Winter Sports in the NESCAC. It is a day that has seemed to be far off but now we are down to 10 days until liftoff. With such a limited timeline, preparation and execution are key, both for the coaching staff and the players.

As a coach working within a limited schedule, it is imperative that you make the most of your time with the team. Understanding how to convey your message and best reach your team is critical to your success. The question is, How?

One of the best parts of the extended time period prior to the season has been the opportunity to ask questions and learn from other coaches. Calling around and asking questions about processes and systems, as well as teaching methods has been an integral part of my development and learning. Not only has this made me a better coach, but it will make my team better this season. With every coach, I always ask about the nuances of what they are trying to do, as well as how it is taught and delivered to the team.

As we have formulated our systems and methodology for this season, another important process has been asking questions about every thought or idea. The key ones being: Why? What are we trying to accomplish? and How will this help us win? This way, our explanations can be well thought out and sincere, as well as pointed towards our long term goals.

Overall, this period before the season starts has a tendency to drag on and feel extremely long. However, when used correctly by the coaches and players alike, it can set in motion critical learning and preparation for a great season.

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Real Hockey

August 31, 2012 Leave a comment

Out on the road recruiting, you watch a lot of hockey. In a span of 48 hours this week, I saw approximately 13 hockey games. While the sport of hockey is fundamentally the same in all of these games, there are many different types of hockey being played. The type usually depends on the relative ability level of the two teams.

When they are far apart, the game often appears like the ice is tilted strongly in one direction. The puck is in one end for most of the game, and one team has a superior talent level and is able to showcase their offensive abilities. While this can be entertaining to watch, it is not a great game to scout players from.

Teams that are close together and have a high skill threshold tend to play a game that goes end to end, up and down the ice. There will be some physicality but it generally consists of grinding along the boards or rubbing guys out along the wall. This is a game that is good to watch to identify high skill level players.

Two teams that have a similar skating ability but slightly different puck skill levels will typically play a more physical type of game. One team will be the aggressor and finish all of their checks, while the other team will begin to do that to stay in the physical game.

When looking for college hockey players, I like to watch games with a physical component. It closely mirrors the college game and it forces teams and players to work for their ice. It requires patience, intelligence and poise with the puck, as well as skating and communicating without the puck. The mental toughness needed to succeed in these games translates well to the college level.

For me, grinding hockey is real hockey. It is a game played between two relatively evenly matched opponents who force the other to work and grind for every inch of ice and every opportunity. If you can succeed in a game like this, you may be well on your way to a career in college hockey.

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The Importance of the First 20 Minutes

June 13, 2012 Leave a comment

I recently completed a study on the 2011-2012 NCAA hockey season and the situational records of every team. I looked at the records for every team in Division 1 and their wins and losses in home/away games, after each period, after the first goal, and in games of certain scoring margins. I also broke it down by conference and by teams that made the NCAA Tournament. All of these yielded interesting results, but two in particular jumped out at me.

The first number that caught my eye was team records after the first goal. Everyone in hockey wants to score the first goal, but I know that I was unaware as to the impact of that goal on the result of the hockey game. In 2011-2012, teams that scored first won 66.94% of their games. If you just look at teams that made the NCAA Tournament, that number jumps to 78.02%.

The second (and much more striking) number is winning percentage after the first period. Teams that had a lead after the first period won 77.09% of the time. Once again, this number jumps among teams in the Tournament, up to 84.75%.

An old adage in hockey is to “Use statistics like a drunkard uses a lamp post – for support, not illumination.” I do not disagree with this statement and in this case these numbers support the importance of scoring first and having a lead after the first period. Naturally, every team wants to score first and maintain a lead, but I was unaware as to the amount that this influenced a game. Now that I am aware, the process moves to how am I going to use these numbers to make myself a better coach and my team more successful.

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How the Kings Won Game One

May 31, 2012 1 Comment

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Scott Sandelin on the Power Play

May 3, 2012 Leave a comment

Minnesota Duluth had the 16th best Power Play in NCAA DI Hockey this season, converting at a 20.5% clip. The head coach at UMD, Scott Sandelin, took some time to talk at the convention about the Power Play and how they teach and coach it.

  • Every player and every line will get a chance on the power play at some point during the season. They believe that you never know who might help or fill a role on the PP so they give every player an opportunity.
  • Duluth uses two PP units and each has a slightly different system/look. This is to generate different types of pressure and force their opponent to prepare for different threats.
  • UMD practices the PP twice per week but at different times during practice. This is an attempt to vary the timing and approach to practicing special teams.
  • Practice style will vary, working inzone, full ice, vs pressure, vs no pressure (5v0), players with their sticks turned over, etc. Practicing vs no pressure gives players the opportunity to have success and build confidence, while adding pressure helps players to understand what they will be facing going into the weekend.
  • They will work with a mock PK until once per week to simulate their opponent’s PK.
  • Overall, Duluth establishes a basic framework for their PP and then lets their players creativity take over from there. They establish options and then look to attack certain areas on the ice. They believe in keeping things simple, making the easy play, and allowing players to use their skills.

One of the biggest challenges of coaching the Power Play is finding a balance between overcoaching and undercoaching. They struggle with it just like any other coaching staff in the country. The Power Play is a big part of any team’s ability to generate offense and when it struggles it is easy to feed into those struggles with more coaching and more pressure. When UMD struggles, they will make sure that the players are relaxed and confident, allowing their abilities to take over. The success of their Power Play last year and in past seasons speaks to the success of their methods.

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Scott Owens on Season Planning

May 2, 2012 1 Comment

The blog has been a little light for the last week – I’ve been down in Naples, FL at the AHCA Coaches Convention. I thought I would share some of the things that I learned.

Scott Owens (Head Coach at Colorado College) spoke about season planning:

He breaks the season up into phases, strategically aligning how he and his staff interacts with the players.

  • Before the season starts, he and his staff do not interact with the players, giving them space and time.
  • Phase One is October through December. The staff is very hands on with the players: teaching, going to lifting sessions, attending study halls, etc
  • Phase Two is the “Dog Days” – they let the captains take control with more team activities and some practice planning
  • Phase Three is the “Home Stretch” – coaches jump back in and really drive the ship through the end of the season

He thought it was important to give every player a chance to play early in the season – “fall on a grenade” and play a player even if it means you lose a game. This way all players are given an opportunity and experience for when they might be needed.

They hold meetings with their captains on a regular basis and with individuals once a month. CC will use meetings as a way to help get players to buy-in (sitting in on decision making process, understanding what goes on behind closed doors) with players who need it. The constant and consistent individual feedback helps players understand where they fit and where they excel and where they need to improve.

Throughout the season they will do things to break up the monotony of the year. They will have relays and games, bring in non-hockey related speakers, have non-hockey trivia sessions, etc. The importance of bonding over non-hockey events was emphasized.

Overall, it was clear that Colorado College puts a lot of thought into the things they do throughout the year. Every “Phase” of the season has a plan and there is solid reasoning behind the plan. Frequent communication with the players helps them to learn and develop.

On a personal level, I love learning about the approaches that other coaches and programs take to their season. While there is not necessarily a right or a wrong way, the different methods are good to see. There may be one thing that is a great idea, or something that triggers a thought process that will help improve the way I work and function in the future. I’d love to know what you think – leave a comment about your season planning or what you think of CC.

I’ll have more posts from the Convention in the next few days. There was a lot of good information and lots to share. Stay Tuned!

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Transition Hockey

April 19, 2012 Leave a comment

These days, the sport of hockey is all about Transition. Offensive Transition, Defensive Transition, Transition Transition. OK, I’m kidding about that last one, but winning hockey games often comes down to winning the transition game.

Offensive Transition is the action of moving from defense to offense. It involves quickly changing directions and attacking off of a loose puck or a turnover. Players must recognize the opportunity to generate a quick attack or an odd-man rush. Offensive Transition often involves a quick first step and explosive speed, as well as defensemen jumping into the play and players using open ice. Head-manning the puck, area passes, indirect passes, slant support, and middle lane drive are all important concepts to master in Offensive Transition. Teams that are good in Offensive Transition attempt to catch their opponents moving the wrong direction and take advantage of players caught up ice.

Just as O-Transition involves moving to offense, so does D-Transition involve the process of moving from Offense to Defense. Similar to O-Transition, Transition to Defense involves a quick first step and explosive speed. D-Transition also involves effort and will power. Communication, awareness, play recognition, stick skills and tie-ups are crucial to successful Defensive Transition. Teams that excel in defensive transition play with a sense of urgency and are effective at reading the play and taking away the most dangerous option for their opponents. In D-Transition, it is often not the first or second man back that makes the difference, but the third or the fourth player making an effort or failing to pick up their player on the backcheck that is the difference between a harmless rush and a goal against.

Why is Transition hockey becoming so critical in hockey today? Players are getting faster, stronger, and more explosive and the game is moving up and down the ice at a quicker pace. This has forced teams to be better at defending the rush, which has resulted in more opportunities to transition to offense. The transition game is similar to the chicken/egg argument – does good D-Transition lead to O-Transition or is it the other way around? Either way, it is imperative that teams excel in both areas and have great first step quickness and explosive speed.

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The Fourth Line

April 11, 2012 Leave a comment

In my opinion, there is no more important part of a successful team than a strong and confident fourth line. Take a look at the best teams in college hockey over the past few years – they all have fourth lines that make an impact. The players in these positions may not be the most glamorous or well known, but I believe that they are often the most vital to winning championships.

Every team in hockey is going to have a first line. The high end skill players that can make an impact on the scoresheet. The most talented offensive players that can be relied upon to help score goals on a regular basis. What every team doesn’t have and that often sets the best apart from the rest is a good fourth line.

What constitutes a good fourth line? A good fourth line is a line that can play smart, responsible hockey in both ends of the rink. These players have a physical presence and an engine that never quits. They are flexible, adaptable and always ready to give their all for the team. Fourth lines take care of their roles and responsibilities first and are able to contribute to the scoresheet whenever possible. A valuable fourth line is a coach’s dream, as coaches can use these players in a variety of scenarios – from the first line out after special teams to valuable  minutes against any group.

This season at Amherst College, we had a fourth line that score 12% of our goals on the season. They were also relied upon to play important minutes after special teams situations and trusted to play at any point during the game. One player said about his teammates, “They were a major reason for our success – they gave us important shifts throughout the season and helped my line by giving us the rest we needed to be successful.” Our team was often referred to as “relentless” by opposing coaches. Being able to put out four lines that would give 100% and push the other team every shift was a major part of that “relentlessness”.

The best teams in hockey are complete teams. They rely on each other at different points throughout the season to be successful. Complete teams win championships.

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Puck Management

April 4, 2012 Leave a comment

I’ve read that in an average NHL game, the puck changes possession between 200 and 400 times. Thus the question becomes not if you are going to turn the puck over or lose possession, but when or where. No matter what sport you play you want to limit the number of turnovers you have, however hockey is just like real estate – location, location, location.

For the rest of this post, keep in mind that I am not advocating turning the puck over, merely discussing best case scenarios for changes of possession.

Generally speaking, the closer you get to the middle of the ice, the more dangerous a turnover becomes. Turnovers also become more dangerous the closer they occur to your net. Dumping a puck into the corner of the offensive zone away from your opponent is one of the least threatening changes of possession. It is away from the middle of the ice and far away from your own net.

Why do cross-ice passes in the defensive zone have a tendency to drive coaches crazy? Why do most coaches advocate for “glass and out”? Why do practices include drill activities such as “chip and flood” and “post-up”? Because plays on the walls in the defensive and neutral zone have the lowest chance of resulting in an immediate threat.

In the offensive zone, it is extremely rare to have a turnover behind the net to directly result in a chance against. However, how often do you see a D-man turn the puck over at the point and then see your opponent celebrating a goal? Losing the puck low in the zone gives your team an opportunity to recover and play cohesive defense. Giving the puck away at the point gives your opponent a huge transition opportunity.

Puck management in an offensive sense is all about putting the puck is a place that your teammate anticipates and can easily retrieve the puck. This includes concepts such as cycling, net front releases, high rolls, D-D plays and releases, posting in the neutral zone, smart dumps, hard rims, and many other plays. The prevailing principle is maintaining possession by playing the puck to space. Reading the play and anticipating your teammates is a major part of offensive puck management.

Puck management is a principle that is both a defensive and an offensive concept. Hockey is a flow sport. This means that everything that happens is simultaneously offensive and defensive in nature. Puck management is all about putting you and your teammates in the best position to maintain possession, regain possession, or play effective defensive hockey.

Watching the Blues and Red Wings game tonight, the Wings were struggling with their puck management decisions at the beginning of the first period. Early on, they were putting the puck in risky places and giving the puck away in places that represented a direct threat against their net. As they have improved their puck decisions, they have begun to play much better – limiting the chances of the Blues and beginning to control the play on the offensive end.

Improving your puck management is on of the surest ways to improve your game and improve your chances of winning. Puck management will allow you to control the game through possession and limit the chances of your opponent, giving you a great opportunity to win the game.

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