When five players step onto the ice (not including the goalie), all five need to give 100% effort and work as a team. Each of the five has a position to play and a role to perform. If one doesn’t pull his/her weight, then you are playing one man down. The player, who doesn’t work with you, can in fact become a factor that works against you. You can go from a situation that should be 5 on 5 and now feels like 6 on 4 – your disadvantage. All players need to be on the same page, working as a unit. If one player is playing his own game, not the team’s game, then you cannot function as a unit. A well structured and disciplined team that plays smart and works together can often defeat a team full of individuals who do not work together.
There are players who may just float on their shift, who only react to what happens around them, yet do not add to the play. These players can become tripping hazards to their own team, creating opportunities through chaos to the opposing team. This is why it is necessary for coaches to make sure that each player understands their role and understands how to work as a team member. This should be done at practice and at team meetings. Players should feel free from pressure to ask questions, or make mistakes while attempting to carry out their role in game situations. Players will make mistakes, and hopefully will learn from them. To me, a player who tries and fails is more of a team player than one who avoids tough situations. It is up to the individual player and coach to work towards improving and understanding the player’s role in game situations. Players also need to learn how to work with their teammates. They learn other player’s unique styles of play, and learn to read each other on the ice as they learn to work together as a team. Getting a team to gel can sometimes be a difficult task, but often results in a better working team. Being able to work with others is a skill set that is valuable on the ice and off. There will always be non-contributors who float and rely on the productivity of others. Hopefully they are only on the opposing team.
Coach Heldt's Notes
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Teams Do Not Float
Posted by Coach Heldt at 11:15 p.m.
Labels: No Floaters
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