Wally Kozak – Defensive Skating
Wally Kozak worked with elite Bantam and Midget players at the Edge School for Athletes. I came along and took video for him. He has prepared these videos.
T1 – Skating Mechanics – Wally Kozak – Edge Boy’s
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/t1-skating-mechanics-wally-kozak-edge-boys/
Wally reviews principles of efficient forward and backward skating.
Edge Prep – Backward Stride Progressions
Highly Skilled players focus on Progressive drills to master their back ward stride. Progressive Deliberate practice focuses on proper technique. Players learn as they progress from slow to game speed. Developing Individual Tactical Skills is a primary focus for a Hockey Academy. This ice session will provide coaches and players some ideas that will translate into improved game execution.
Edge Prep Practicing Pivots
Skating the game requires deliberate practice of specific tactical skills essential to playing 1 on 1 situations. The Backward stride and Mohawk pivots are essential when playing a rush. Teaching these skills in youth hockey would benefit execution and enjoyment at any level.
T1 – Efficient Skating to Maintain the Defensive Side
The 2 foot stop and cross over start are good conditioning exercises that have little value during the game. When a player has to put the brakes on at full speed they likely over skated the situation. To Skate the game defensively the player has to control their inside edges to control their speed and direction according to the game situation. Practicing snowplow stops and using a front foot stop and T start will improve game skating, helping players to always face the puck carrier and maintain D side. Dave King's Teaching cue was "toe caps square " to the puck carrier.
Edge Prep – Handicap Horseshoe Progressions
One of he best drills to teach Defensive players how to SKATE the 1 on 1 RUSH. Initially the D play an attacker with their hands behind their back keeping them outside the dots. Maintain a good gap. The D progress to hands free, Stick Turned over to Stick Normal o master "skating" the 1 on 1. Progressive deliberate practice for Transition skating, Back Ward Striding and Pivoting is necessary to master those skills that will improve game performance.
Edge Prep – Rush Race Drill
The Edge school Prep team learns from a Rush Race Drill. Coaches learn how to explain the drill so it can be executed to accomplish it's purpose. This National Team drill reveals the need to spend more time on Backwards Starts and striding. When the 1988 National team began this drill the defensemen started on the Dot and struggled. In the last half of the season all D could start at the bottom of the circle and keep the defender on the outside not allowing a dangerous shot.
Edge Prep – D Zone Scrimmage 1vs 1> 2 vs 2
Game Like Practice practice is an opportunity to test one's Individual Skills and Hockey Sense. The foundation to performance is Individual skills. The importance of maintaining D side and the tactical skills required are revealed in this video.
College players and U18 Girl’s working on the same concepts.
BU D Monday's
Boston University develop Defensive tactical skills with deliberate practice. Time well spent. At younger age players need to taught these special skills in a progressive fashion.
Defensive Tactical Skating U18 F
The importance of Defensive tactical skating is demonstrated by a number of breakdowns i Defensive 1 on 1 play. Progressive Deliberate practice in this video will help coaches of ALL levels to develop Tactical Skating Skills important in Defensive hockey.
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Wally Kozak – (More of Wally's videos on technique and game analysis at this link. Really good stuff from a highly regarded international coach.)
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=wkozak2009&view=videos
Wally Kozak hockey coaching videos.
https://www.youtube.com/user/wkozak2009/videos
'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'