Another example of how you can use the same drill or game and expand it to practice more situations, team play concepts or game understanding is a drill that has been around for a long time and most coaches use for 1-1 or 2-1 situations with the D joining the play and the F backchecking.
Options:
- 1-1 to 2-2. You need at least 4 D and 4 F to do these situations. The D joins the play and F backchecks and they both fight for inside position while the attacker has a passing option and original D must read if he has a 1-1 or a 2-1.
- 2-1 to a 3-3 requires at least 8 F and 4 D. Now you have added communication between the defending D and the backchecking F. Who picks up the F and who covers the D on the back check.
- 2-2 to a 4-4 requires at least 8 F and 8 D. Now the 2 D can stay with the 2 attacking F's and the backchecking F should cover one D joining the play each. There is now a 4-4 in the zone and the coach should let the situation play out for about 10 seconds or when a goal is scored, puck is frozen or possession lost before starting the 2-2 at the other end.
- 3-2 to a 5-5 requires at least 12 F and 8 D. The defending D must again communicate who the first backchecker should pick up and the other two backcheckers should funnel into the slot and identify which D to cover. Play out the 5-5 situation before blowing the whistle to start the 3-2 at the other end.
- Dump ins - Change the situation to practice the forecheck and the D going back for the dump in to beat the forecheck and identify low coverage.
- Uneven Situations - 1-1 one way and a 2-1 the other way would create a 2 on 3 double team situation. A 3-1 then a 3-2 creates a 5-4 power play. This could be followed by a 1-3 to have a pp at the other end.
So changing the number of players at each end can create whatever situation the coach wants. It would even be possible to add a regroup with the D joining the play.
After using this drill to instruct then move on to a one puck transition game with passive support and then active support.
The drill with backchecking and the D joining I refer to is below.
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C3 1-1 to 2-2 - D Join F Backcheck
Key Points:
D join the attack on the whistle and attacking forwards back check. It is a fight for inside position. No penalties. Important that the forwards touch the red line so F1-D1 are close enough to join the play.
Description:
1. Blue D1 pass to Red F1 who skates to the red line and turns back attacking 1-1 vs. D1.
2. On the whistle Red D2 passes to Blue F2 at the other end of the rink.
3. Blue F2 skates to the red line and turns back attacking 1-1 vs Red D2. while Red D1 Joins Red F1 on the attack and White F1 backchecks making it a 2-2.
4. Repeat with Blue D3 passing to Red F3 at original end.
*Situations up to a 3-2 can be practiced. You need at least 8 D and 12 F to practice 3-2 with a 5-5 at each end. With larger number the lineup needs to move into the neutral zone to leave inside the blueline free.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20120718110748616
Season planning and practice planning has started. I have used TCWhiteboard to draw my diagrams with the international symbols. The link below has about 500 diagrams coded in the ABC method so they are easier to find. The TCWhiteboard template uses Word and the coach can copy and paste the diagrams over the blank rinks.
You can use any picture file that Word recognizes.The coding explanation is attached and the TCW Practice Outline is a word document included with the files. I can't attach Word documents in this site. The files are listed alphabetically or I guess you could click on Type. It is the only word file.
I paste the diagrams over the blank rink and put the description beside it. I then save as a title for the practice and this leaves the blank template for the next time.
Coaches feel free to use any of the material.
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ABC Drill and Game Diagrams: This is a quick way to scan the diagrams as they are organized in the ABCDEFG, DT, T coding system.
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=bd6fa116988317e9&resid=BD6FA116988317E9!3274&parid=BD6FA116988317E9!111&authkey=!AOgs6KyWsmPjpZI
The way I do it is to find the pdf file and then copy and paste the diagram and then I copy and paste the description. Here is the link to the pdf files.
Drill and Game PDF's: All of the drills and game practice PDF's are organized with the ABC coding system along with an explanation of the codes. I update the folder with the new material:
https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=bd6fa116988317e9&resid=BD6FA116988317E9!3014&parid=BD6FA116988317E9!111&authkey=!AEx0OA9DMEE18FY
I will also attach a sample practice plan that I saved as a PDF.
'Enjoy the Game'