Having just posted two videos of the Rangers PP, I thought I would do a Bruins themed drill this week. This one is a simple shooting drill out of both ends called the Bruins High/Low drill. Three skaters go at a time (or two if you’re short on bodies).

The first skater leaves, goes around the circle and takes a shot. Second skater leaves from the same corner, gets above the blue line, exchanges with a coach on the far side, and then goes in and takes a shot. The third skater leaves from the opposite end, skates to the far blue, exchanges with a coach and then goes in and takes a third shot. Skaters need to focus on keeping their feet moving, skating with their head up, getting a good release off, and stopping at the net. The drill goes out of both ends simultaneously, with coaches constantly exchanging with skaters from both sides.

For the first two months, I left it on my bedside table with the intention of writing in it every night before I went to sleep. While this worked out well in the beginning, soon my recruiting schedule interrupted me. My observations became intermittent and I would write when I could – not the most productive use of my notebook.

For the last month, I have brought my notebook to my office. It sits right next to my mousepad and I write in it every night before I leave the office. As a way to direct my writing more effectively, I have taped a small piece of paper under my mousepad with three questions on it. These questions were pulled from an article about what the top CEO’s do to find continued success.

1. What three things did I do well today? 2. What is my number one most needed improvement for tomorrow? 3. What is the one thing I can do differently to help make the needed improvement?

After I answer these three questions, I write down general thoughts about my day. Finally, on the other side of the page I write down a phrase that I found to be inspiring or pointed towards my area of improvement. A quote, a word, a message, whatever I feel is something I need to remember.

My diligence in keeping this notebook has made me a better coach and a more effective recruiter. It has helped me to understand my strengths and weaknesses and evaluate them every day. The self-discipline and self-accountability it fosters will help me to continue to improve throughout my career.

This drill is a simple 3v3 Drill using one end of the ice. Everyone starts stationary. Offensive team starts with two forwards on the goal line and one in the high slot. Defensive team starts with two defensemen on top of the crease, one forward in the mid slot. The drill starts with a coach rimming a puck to either forward, and then plays out 3v3 from that point.

Why do 3v3 this way? It isolates position specific skills for teaching. First, it allows the forwards to retrieve the puck first, forcing them to work on playing the puck off the runner and working with a defender on their back. Second, it helps forwards to understand spacing, support options and release points when the puck is below the goal line. One the defensive side, it helps defenders work on closing down on attackers, taking away time and space, and anticipating the offensive play. As a team, the quicker you can anticipate what the offensive team will do, the quicker you can shut it down.

As a coach, you can work on individual skills this way, as well as basic down low defensive zone and offensive zone play.

Forwards start at the blue lines, opposite ends go at the same time. One forward leaves with a puck, skates to the red line and passes it to a defenseman. Puck moves D to D, while the opposite forward posts up at the far blue line. After the D to D pass, a quick hitter is made to the posted forward who then passes it to the supporting forward and they attack the net 2v0. The drill then starts again from the other direction.

While the drill itself is simple, there are some nuances that can be added and/or emphasized to increase the degree of difficulty and work on specific skills. For example, the D can do an escape upon receiving the first pass, and the pass up to the forward can be required to be direct or indirect. The forwards can be required to chip the puck or place a good area pass. On the 2v0, the D can be required to follow the play up ice and the forwards can be required to utilize a 2v0 move such as a cross and drop, net drive/far pad shot, etc. The simplicity of the drill allows for players to focus on refining specific skill sets.

How do you succeed in a world of imperfect information? Gather as much information from as many people as possible. Ask great questions and dig at the root of what you are trying to discover. Don’t be afraid to be direct – people don’t often volunteer valuable information. Talk to as many people as you can, try to get the bigger picture. The more sources you have, the better. I was taught in middle school to triple check every historical source to ensure its accuracy. Whether you’re researching a paper on the Civil War or trying to formulate a business contract, the lesson holds true.

In a world of imperfect information, the more information you have, the better your chances are of success.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/05/avoiding-fear.html

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.

http://nba.si.com/2013/04/25/gregg-popovich-spurs-sports-illustrated/