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1. Improve Offensive "Support" with "Triangulation": Working on improving our Attack Triangle on offense and ice awareness when supporting the puck carrier AND know where your support is when carrying the puck. "Support" and "Triangulation" are important term to understand when learning hockey strategy and we will begin to make this a critical part of each player's hockey IQ. An appropriate attack provides triangulation where the forward establish WIDTH and DEPTH on the ice, where by the supporting players are available to assist the puck carrier.
2. Continue to improve Explosive Transitions: We need to improve transitions and support roles when transitioning. Continue to improve break-outs from defense to offense, with wings at the half boards and center providing transition support up the middle. Establish triangulation during the breakout and introduce the "weave" concept, with F1 breaking wide, F2 creating width, and F3 following to provide support depth (F=Forward).
3. Continue to Improve Defensive Positioning: We need to stop chasing the puck and improve supporting zones. NEVER should we have two defensemen in the same corner. When a defensemen is in the corner, the other is providing a support by defending the goal crease. When a defensemen is retreiving a dump pass to the corner, the other defenseman offers support as a pass outlet at the other corner behind the net. Here is a good video explaining defensive positioning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_moQg7usjXQ
4. Be the best team in the March Madness Tournament. Continue an individual commitment to improve and to improve as a team each week. If we continue to improve, we have the opportunity to be the best team at the end of the season, which is our ultimate goal!
5. Most Importantly HAVE FUN!!!!
The following highlighted video provides a good explanation of defensive positioning and the concept of "protecting the house". These are the basic concepts we are teaching. There is another video below that a Canadian coach developed to correct similar challenges we are having.
UPDATE (11/10): Check out the DEKES at the bottom of the page. Thought, I'd give this to you to tryout against Peter during practice.
Shooting Skills
We need to improve our shooting skills as a team. In particular, we need to improve taking quicker shots and improving our rebound opportunities. I have uploaded four (4) MP4 files to the "Videos" tab. These videos are from US Hockey to demonstrate Pee Wee level shooting techniques (Moving Snap Shot, Slap Shot, Moving Slap Shot, and Flip Shot with Pull when up close). Practice warm-up is a great time for players to practice this shots.
Let's see who can master the moving snap shot and who has the best slapper!
I found these videos to show the key moves a goalie uses to move around the crease....
The following 3 videos provide basic guidance for how to play Wing during a breakout (videos 1 and 2) and the last provides guidance on winning faceoffs.
Hockey is all about skating skills. The following 3 videos explain forward stride for improving speed, backward cross-overs and Backward Quick Starts. Skating backward is equally important for offense, as is demonstrated in the break-out videos to the left.
UPDATE (11/10): We added a video on transitions, which is an invaluable skill for playing hockey. This vides does a great break down of forward to backward pivots, while maintaining momentum. Watch how Patrick Kane uses his skating skills to creatively create a goal, WOW.
The following are some videos on break away 1on1 with the goalie and creative "dekes". The first video is a great break down of 1 pro's deke and how he sets up the goalie. Let's see who can be the most creative in practice.
1. Using Edges on Dekes (Forehand Fake, Backhand, and edges to Forehand)
2. Datsukyian Deke n Dangle (Awesome move, check it out and practice)