Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

SHHHHH

Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

West End Ice Hawks

Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

Terms

Defense – When we don’t have the puck

Offence – When we have the puck

Forechecking – Preventing opponents from leaving their end when they have the puck

Backchecking – Preventing opponents from entering our end when they have the puck

Weak Side – The side of the rink furthest from the puck

Strong Side – The side of the rink closest to the puck

Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

Great Teams and Players…

• Keep your Shifts to 45 seconds – Come off when it’s safe• Always face the puck• Keep the puck moving forward – carry, pass, dump it in / out• Jump on every loose puck• Win every race• Don’t call for a pass unless open. • Pass to where the player is going – not where they are.• Do not slow down when receiving a pass• Do not stop skating after making a pass.• Use the give and go (since the person receiving can see the passer better than any

of his/her other teammates).• Keep their sticks on the ice as they skate for the net• Do not turn the puck over at either blueline – If you don’t have a play - dump it out /

dump it in.• Be a threat with or without the puck• Shoot to score. Most goals are scored along the ice. Don’t aim for the goalie’s

chest!• Go for rebounds until you hear the whistle.• Stop and skate hard on all turnovers (no big circles).• Force the opposition to “bad ice” (away from slot into corners).• Prevent good quality shots.• Don’t pass into our house (slot)• Outnumber the opposition all over the ice• Give 100% at all times Forecheck, Backcheck…• On backcheck skate between the dots all the way back to the net.• Get your body between the opposition puckcarrier and the puck.• Understand that hockey is a passing game.• Don’t rely on one player to do it all. We all have to do our parts.

…and finally…

• Have Fun – Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. The best players are creative.

Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

Do You Want to be on a Great Team?

Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

CENTERAlways/Everywhere:• Be between the puck and our goalie – always.• GET THE PUCK. Don't wait for it or their player to come to you.

Our End (Opponent has possession): ALWAYS keep the puck outside of the Defensive Triangle (the house).Support strongside defenceman or cover for the strongside defenceman.Communicate with your teammates to make sure that they know what you are doing.When the puck is high, pick up the loose player in front of the net, or tightly cover strongside defenceman.If you get the puck and don’t have a safe play dump it out.Breakout: D passes to Strongside Wing (LW in diagram)Wing passes to Centre – Angle towards board when receiving passIf weakside Wing is open, Centre passes, or else Centre skates puck out of zoneIf there is too much pressure dump it out.Do not turn the puck over at the blueline because everyone is skating out of the zone – a turnover will

result in a breakaway.Neutral Zone (with the puck) Try to stay in the middle of the iceNeutral Zone (without the puck) Try to stay on the goal-side of the puckTheir End (with puck) – Playmaker - Always SEE who is open. CHOOSE to pass, shoot, or stickhandle

toward the net.Their End (without puck) – Skate hard to catch up to the puck carrier all the way to the net, if you have

to.

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Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

WINGPositions in our end (LW – Reverse for RW): Green ZoneALWAYS keep the puck outside of the DEFENSIVE TRIANGLE.Communicate with your teammates so they know what you are doing.BreakoutStrong side – Position yourself against the boards on the hash marks to receive a

breakout pass, pass to CentreWeak side – Move to top of faceoff circle Move out of zone along seamNeutral Zone (Rush) – Stay in your lanesTheir End – 1. Puck Carrier

– Quickly penetrate zone (top of circle)– Options – Go to net and shoot, pass back to trailer, pass to weakside wing in front of net

2. Weak Side Wing– Stay wide when coming into the zone.– Skate to faceoff dot and drive to the net– Get in a triangle– Face the puck.– Keep your stick on the ice– Know where the net is.

When puck is on your side, you and the Center have to GET THE PUCK. Don't wait for it or their player to come to you.

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Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

DEFENCEPositions in Our End RD in diagram): Green ZoneALWAYS keep the puck outside of the DEFENSIVE TRIANGLE.Communicate with your teammates so they know what you are doing.When puck is in the opposite side, be near the front of our goalie’s crease. Stay between our goalie and

their players.When puck is anywhere in your zone, you and the Center have to GET THE PUCK. If you get the puck and don’t have a play, JUST GET IT OUT of our end (always keep it out of the

DEFENSIVE TRIANGLE). Shoot the puck as hard as you can around and out.BreakoutDecide which side to go to. You have 3 options, pass behind your net to your partner, pass to Wing, pass

directly to Centre or carry it out of the zone. If you have a teammate open between you and the goal PASS THE PUCK.

Strongside defenceman, after passing, follow the play up the ice. Join the rush!Weakside Defenceman is the last player to leave the defensive zone. Cover for your partnerVariation: Weakside Defence calls “REVERSE” and Strongside D passes behind the net and break out on

the weakside.Their EndStrongside D joins rush to faceoff dot (not below). Stick on the ice, wait for a pass, Face the puck, Keep

your stick on the ice, Know where the net is. Keep your shot low. If a player is between you and the net, dump it into the corner hard, or pass to a winger beside the net (for a tip-in).

Strongside D – You must keep the puck in the zone. Use your foot to back up your stick. If you pinch – don’t change your mind.

Weakside Defenceman covers for strongside (outside blueline between to dots) – anticipate a turnover and be ready to skate hard coming back.

Teeter-Totter – if your partner is up (joining the rush or pinching) – you are down (covering at or outside the blueline), if you are up your partner is down.

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Shhh ... Secrets of World Class Hockey Players

GOALTENDERAlways/Everywhere:• Know where the puck is.Our End (Opponent has possession): Follow the puck. Move to make sure that you can see it at all times.Communicate with your teammates to let them know if there is an open player in the slot.Anticipate the shotPlay at the top of your crease whenever possible. Cut down the angle to give the shooter less options.Watch the puck leave the stickGet in your butterfly / half butterfly for all low shots.Follow the puck until it hits you.If in danger cover the puck up.Never dive headfirst across the crease. Always maintain your butterlfy and slide on your pads.If not in danger angle the puck into the corner for a teammate to pick it up.

Breakaways – Come out directly towards the skater to the hashmarks to cut down the angle and slowly backup to the goalline. If the skater’s stick is in front, he wants to deke. If his stick is on the side he wants to shoot. Make the skater make the first move and then quickly react. Watch the puck all the way in and look for the rebound. Nice save!

If they score – shake it off. The next shot is always the most important one.

On Icings, confirm that the linesman’s arm is up, cover the net and watch the puck cross the goalline.

Delayed Penalty (when the opponent has a penalty and we have possession of the puck) – Make sure that we have the puck and the referee’s arm is up. Skate to the bench as hard as you can. You must be inside the door before another skater can get on the ice.

Always know the score and regularly check the time remaining (take peeks when the play is out of the zone). If we are down by a goal or two, the coach might want to pull you for an extra attacker. If so, wait for the signal (from the bench) then skate as fast as you can to the bench. You must be off the ice before the attacker can go on.