As a team, we have been working hard at defensive zone coverage and battling opponents for the puck. Since the beginning of the season, our players have heard us talk about how to win those battles, by taking away time and space. But what do we do once we get the puck? The answer is to give yourself time and space. While this is a simple concept, many players develop negative habits that prevent them from being an effective offensive player.
Negative Habits:
Instantly throwing the puck back to the opposition
Attempting to stick handle through every player on the ice (including their own teammates)
Tunnel vision:
Not seeing the open ice
Not seeing the play (passing to other teammates with the best scoring opportunity)
Shooting too late, or walking the puck into the goalie
These 4 habits destroy all the hard work the team puts into gaining control of the puck and trying to establish an offense. The good news is that they are easily solved by following these very basic guidelines:
PICK YOUR HEAD UP...AWARENESS
I can't stress this enough, not just to solve the issues above, but also for player safety.
This will single-handedly solve tunnel vision and throwing the puck away
Players who try to stick handle through everyone almost always have their heads down
Players will shoot more often when they see the net from a distance. Keeping your head up will help you determine WHERE TO SHOOT.
MOVE THE PUCK TO OPEN ICE
The instant a player gets the puck, they should be prepared to do one of two things:
Pass to a teammate; preferrably a teammate who is open and moving forward. DO NOT attempt a pass to a teammate if an opposing player is in the way
Skate with the puck, forward, to open ice. You need to do this IMMEDIATELY. This will allow you to control the puck, move it forward, see if there is a player that you want to pass to, or shoot on net.
MOVE YOUR FEET
Did we mention skate immediately? Standing still with the puck is the #1 way to lose it.
As in any sport, getting caught "flat foot" will negatively affect your offensive abilities.
Be in a "ready" position; knees bent and ready to spring into action
Once you get the puck, you want to move quickly with it. Keeping your feet in motion will help you be more agile and responsive to change in direction
MAKE QUICK DECISIONS
If you know where an open player will be, you need to pass the puck as soon as you get it
If every teammate is covered, you will need to start skating the puck to open ice immediately
If you get a pass or rebound in front of the other team's net, you need to shoot immediately
If you get the puck in the other team's face off circle areas, SHOOT IT!
DO NOT DEKE AS YOUR FIRST OPTION
This is a last resort play
Move to open ice FIRST
Don't be tempted to skate right into a defenseman
Experienced defensemen will stop you 90% of the time
USE THE BOARDS, LUKE!
Many times, it's easier to bounce the puck off the boards, ahead of you, allowing you to retrieve your own pass. This requires:
Picking your head up (Awareness)
Making quick decisions
Moving the puck to open ice
Moving your feet
All of our players have the basic skills to be able to follow these guidelines. Following these guidelines will help them further develop those skills, which in turn, will lead to more scoring opportunities.
Here are some video tutorials that ellaborate on the bullet points above: