Reply To: Breaking down the game

[Tom Molloy]

Tim here is what I do.

In the first few weeks I put all of the team play in place. We usually have 75 minute practices so I use about 30 minutes every time to introduce offensive and defensive team play. 45 minutes on skating and skills to develop the tools along with the 'Toolbox'.

– the forecheck in each zone.
– back check
– defensive zone coverage.
– break out
– penalty killing
– power play

After these Big Ideas are in place we work on the details the rest of the year.

I have used this comparison before.

It is like loading a truck.

– First you put in the big rocks – team play
– Next you put in the gravel that seeps between the big rocks – things like face-offs, support.
– Lastly you pour in the sand that filters throught the boulders and the gravel – details like angles, stick on the puck, pass and go etc.

Your team needs a basic structure. Mine are built on the idea of playing Total Hockey reading where you are 1-2-3-4-5 and in which zone, which situation (loose puck, offense, defense) and in what role (puck carrier, offensive support, checking puck carrier of covering away from the puck)

There is a lot to cover but I think it important that you have a structure (like the steel frame of a building) at the start and then build the walls.

It is important to have 'Clarity' about Why you are doing the drills and games.

To accomplish this our practices always consist of at least 50-75% games, transition games, tournaments and contests.

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'