Get Into Position

Last week we worked on our power play - It worked well in our game, but we were out of position too often when playing 5 on 5. We left our own goal wide open, and we missed too many opportunities in front of the other team's goal. Too often no one was there to receive a pass and take a shot. This week we worked on a basic 1-4 fore-checking and basic 2-1-2 positioning for both Defense and Offensive play. Some other points we also went over are:
Defensemen on the point – get open for a pass (move!) and get a shot through the play in front of the net. If you don't have a clear shot – then get the shot up in the air. Put the shot on net near the short side – the side you are shooting from. A miss on the far side could come back out the other side with a little help from the other team's defensemen. Be ready for this.
All players: PLAY YOUR POSITIONS! – don't bunch up - get open, If you get the puck on your stick and don't know what to do with it then take a shot quickly – but look up find your target. “Shooting on net is never a bad play.” The puck may not always go in, but you may create another scoring opportunity. If you do get a chance for a rebound try to get the puck up over the goalie. Goalies often go down on the first shot. - Not our goalies though!
Always take the puck to the net. Be ready to receive a pass and shoot, or pass to your team mate who can get a shot on net. Don't hog the puck and hold onto it too long. Don't stay out on the ice too long. A few runs up and down the ice is enough. Dump the puck and get a change to get some fresh legs on the ice. Keep the tempo up. Keep the pressure on the puck. Don't skate with your head down and your back bent. Bend your knees get low and get your back straight- head up to see what's going on around you. Communicate! With looks and talk.

Simple 2-1-2 defense and offensive positioning. (We use 2-1-2 fore-checking in the neutral zone - to set up counter attacks from the neutral zone, and in the offensive zone along with 1-4 fore-checking)

Center: If you come in and our team has the puck deep in the offensive zone and you don't have the puck – then drive hard and fast to the net and stop. Don't peel off towards the corners especially after you shoot. Stop and look for opportunity for a rebound.

In our defensive zone – Wingers on the points, stay above the hash marks. Be ready to break out. Don't allow the other team's defense to shoot from the point.

Center stay in the middle – only go to the corners to help a defensemen if he needs the help. - be ready to break out – but also defend the slot NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO GET THE PUCK OUT OF OUR ZONE

Defensemen : Always one defensive player in front of our net – do not allow another team's player in between you and your goalie. Protect the open side of the net.

In the offensive zone:
Wingers work deep in the corners and in front of the net. Look to get the puck to someone who can get a shot on goal. Use your defensemen on the points. Try to pass or walk the puck out of the corner to the net if you have an open path - if not then find someone who is open. Look for rebounds and work the posts. Move the puck – cycle the puck – use the boards behind the net to relay the puck to your team mate - bounce the puck around the net and around their defenseman.
Defensemen : Keep the puck in on the points and on the boards. Take shots from the points. One defensemen always backs up and supports the other.
Centers: Work the area in front of the net. Get open – look for rebounds – look for opportunities for tip ins and deflections.
NO BLIND PASSES OR SLAPS AT THE PUCK
NO HESITATION - MAKE THINGS HAPPEN – DON”T WAIT FOR THEM TO HAPPEN
DON”T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF – TEAMWORK !