Reply To: Clearing the defensive zone

[Tom Molloy]

I think there are a few things that can help. First of all like Dean says try to eliminate the rim as much as possible but sometimes it is the only option. When they do rim the winger has to try to pick it up as quickly as possible and if the pinching D is coming then you have to protect the puck with the body. the low forward has to come and give close support for a short pass and the strong side D should also be an option.

In minor hockey (my team included) the player tends to shoot the puck out of the scrum to the point, which essentially is a great pass for the opposition who will have a player standing there.

I like doing the Murdoch Breakout sequences but insisting the D skate hard before passing. I think designated Tasks are important before moving to Guided Discover Style instruction. So do the Murdoch and then play games such as;
1. you must take at least 3 hard strides before passing.
2. you must make an escape move before passing.
3. Play a game either full or half ice with the rule that the offense must dump the puck in and forecheck to put the defense in the situation of beating the first checker.

The defense going back must have the mind set to beat the first checker. This causes them to drive the back of the net, or make a quick turn.

The most common problem I see in minor hockey is that players skate when they are going to carry the puck and coast when they are going to pass it. So the habit we have to teach them with drills and games is to move to open ice as soon as they get the puck. Create contests and games where they do this and introduce it with drills to teach the techniques top players use.

If you look at the practice my team did last night, moving with the puck under pressure in a small space was a major theme.

I posted a video of our game last Sat. vs the top team in our league in the files section of this site. They have almost the whole team back while we have 7 returning players. Their D moves with the puck and makes good tape to tape passes and their forwards move into open areas. When we stand still and pass we get into a lot of trouble. I think that is what you are talking about. It is the most common problem in minor hockey.

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
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