Looking back on my hockey career after transitioning from player to coach, you understand what your coaches were talking about all those times.
I could finally see through the eyes of my past coaches and all the frustrations they experienced with our teams. Twenty years later, we’re battling the same bad habits with a new set of kids.
Watching the same habits game after game would build so much frustration that I would find myself fighting the urge to lace up so I could help the kids;
- make that pass
- shoot the puck harder
- and skate faster to the loose pucks
Even though every coach will go through these growing pains when developing their team.
Yelling over again during the game isn’t going to fix the problem!
So how do we fix it?
Practicing the same drills throughout the season that relate to those game-changing opportunities will show a distinct separation between the teams that build a team atmosphere and take the most away from the season compared to focusing strictly on individual skills.
This is explained more on my post How To Structure A Practice – Individual VS Team Development!
That’s why you always hear “practice as you play”! I know practicing is never any fun for anyone involved. But the players with this mindset are the ones that see the most success.
Whether you are a coach or a parent, watching our kids struggling with bad habits isn’t the easiest. At RSF Performance, we want to help destroy these habits by the end of the season.
1. The Fly-By
Player FlyBy
There are two types of fly-by habits. The first one is the player fly-by.
I find myself repeating, “CLOSE THE GAP!”
Typically, this one-on-one is when the defensemen are so far back from the attacker that he’s defeating the purpose of supporting the goalie.
But instead, the defencemen’s creating a screen, making it more difficult for the goalie to see what’s coming.
However, gap control is not just limited to one zone. It’s a skilled tactic that should be practiced in all three zones.
The most annoying fly-by is when you see a player on your team skate with a 60% effort while reaching out and waving their stick by the puck carrier. Then tops it off by finishing the movement by making a HUGE circle taking themselves out of the play.
When the opposite team has puck control, I teach my kids to go to them like being shot out of a rocket.
While at the same time controlling the opposition’s next move by coming at them with an active stick and angling them to where your teammates are ready to apply the most pressure to cause a turnover.
Adding this pressure to the other team will force them to move the puck without time to think, causing them to make mistakes and reducing the chances of setting their team up for scoring opportunities.
Net Flyby
Getting into the habit of following your shot and driving the net at a young age will be one of the most beneficial tactics one can create.
The majority of the goals at the U11 and younger levels are from a breakdowns that create breakaway opportunites to score.
But once you begin to play at the rep teams and more competitive levels, goals are scored from driving the net and capitalizing on rebounds.
As coaches, we tell our team to drive the net. But do we include drills that support this healthy habit?
A simple yet effective drill for warm-up is the Three Man Drive.
I have three lines facing the goalie at the blue line, lines along the boards on each side, and one line in the middle of the ice. I pass to each line one at a time. During this drill, I make sure players use proper weight transfer and good shooting techniques from all three angles to warm up the goalie. Once the shot is released, I encourage each player to drive the net and position their body for the rebound coming from the next player.
As you enter the second half of the season, Three Man Drive is an easy drill to progress into a three on none so the players can learn how to understand what to do in each lane.
for example;
The first player would take the puck wide while the middle lane drives the net, as the third lane cuts across the top of the circles for the high man.
2. High Shots
A hard wrist shot along the ice is more effective than flicking the puck top corner.
Even though getting the puck in the air is a big deal for an 8-year-old. Players need to Learn how a hard shot with a rebound is a hundred times more beneficial during a game them a shot that misses the net.
Once the game reaches a higher pace age group, a hard top corner shot that misses that next can easily be redirected, causing a momentum swing that creates an odd-man rush the other way.
I remember the first time I experienced an up-close NHL game. That is the first time you realize how fast the game becomes as the player age. The chances of being allowed to release a quality shot up close are limited, making shooting for a rebound and driving the net the game-changing efforts that win games.
3. Standing Still
It shouldn’t matter if you are playing defensive or offensive positions during the game. The team that utilizes active motion will be the team that has the most advantage.
The benefits of skating with a purpose are;
- causing turnovers
- creating openings for teammates
- offensive pressure
- and much more
The biggest pet peeve I have while coaching is seeing one of your players standing still and watching the other team move the puck around effortlessly.
Hockey requires movement and flow!
The best breakouts are synced together at full speed with hard short passes.
As your team grows older, indirect passing (pass to an area where a teammate is skating) will reduce your team’s turnovers by a sufficient amount.
I fought all year to get my kids to buy in to always skate to the puck carry with meaning. FINALLY, on our last game of the year, I thought I’d bring back what an old coach once told me. “I WANT YOU TO JUMP ON THAT PUCK LIKE A FAT KID ON A SMARTIE.”
Appropriate or not, the kids laughed! I got the point across, and the kids started to do what I was asking from them all year.
4. Turn Overs At The Blue Line
Turnovers at both blue lines are the number one momentum swing in the sport of hockey.
Wingers must do whatever it takes when battling for the procession of the puck inside their own blue line.
These scoring opportunities for the other team are when players overcommit, thinking the puck is leaving the defensive zone. When in fact, the puck doesnt get out of the blueline but instead allows one pass to beat two players, creating a 4-3 in tight to your goalie.
On the flip side, not getting the puck in deep creates a turnover, quick transition for the opposition, and often a good scoring chance for the other team.
You’ve probably heard a coach screaming to get the puck deep after gaining the red line. Getting the puck deep will allow time for a line change or if you have a fast teammate skating without a clear passing lane to him. A quick dump and chase will lead to a good scoring opportunity and potential momentum swings.
5. Not Capitalizing On 2 ON 1’s
I’ve noticed not many kids in U11 ever fully understand how to optimize and two on one.
An odd-man rush towards the other team’s goalie should always result in a quality scoring opportunity.
Unfortunately, there are not many drills that help with what to do on a 2-on-1. I’ve had players trying to cut to the middle of the ice, taking any advantage they had with having a second player with them.
The same goes for teaching our defensemen to take away good scoring chances.
It’s the coach’s job to teach players how to become more aware of situations by practicing what to do in a game situation rather than improving just individual tactics.
I always convince myself I’m here to teach the game of hockey to these kids in our limited ice times. Skill development is something that can be developed on their own time. As parents, we need to step up and help with their homework by involving them in camps or power skating.
6. Shooting At The Logo
I was the worst for shooting the puck in the goalie’s chest!
I never worked on my shot the way I should have. Therefore, every time I had the puck, I would panic and become satisfied with the puck just finding the goalie.
Shooting with a purpose will create a scoring chances or find the back of the net, resulting in a goal.
We don’t need to go top corner every time. Teaching how to visualize what could happen by shooting the puck for a rebound is equally important as getting the goal.
Once players climb out of the U11 level, goals come from rebounds or a loose puck.
Conculson
The little things that make a difference in the results of a hockey game
The key to adding pressure to the other team will force them to move the puck and make mistakes virus, making the intentional plays that set their team up for opportunities.
The benefits of skating with a purpose are;
- causing turnovers
- creating openings for teammates
- offensive pressure
- and much more
Hockey requires movement and flow!
Turnovers at both blue lines are the number one momentum swing in the sport of hockey.
Wingers must do whatever it takes when battling for the procession of the puck inside their own blue line.
Shooting with a purpose will create a scoring chance or finish in the back of the net.
We don’t need to go top corner every time. Teaching how to visualize what could happen by shooting the puck for a rebound is equally important as getting the goal.
RESOURCES
https://www.ricktraugott.com/post/helping-correct-bad-hockey-habits
https://www.icehockeysystems.com/blog/coaching-tips/8-important-hockey-habits