Reply To: Cougars Pounce – Clarification

[hockeygod]

RK,

I agree with Tom. I prefer trying to get a strong D pairing out against someone like this; along with placing emphasis on strong backpressure. This way, you can keep your 'team integrity' so far as systems go.

Everyone needs to be aware when this person is on the ice and work that much harder to prevent scoring chances against. You might not eliminate all their chances (then again, you might…!) but you need to manage them as best as possible.

If your team is running three lines and their team is running two, it also involves a philosophical debate for the coach – does he 'shorten his bench' or double-shift his best D pairing and hardest back checkers (still trying to get all three lines out there in some form of rotation)?

This debate must also factor in the age and skill level of the players. Obviously, Tom is operating at a Midget AAA level and this type of decision is expected at this highest level of minor hockey. It has probably already happened thoughout the year – no 'surprises' at the end of the year.

However, if this is an Novice to PeeWee team (house to AA), perspective must be kept… will these kids remember they 'almost' beat a better player / team in the playoffs at the expense of #6 through #17's ice time? Or they win? Or they get blown out – even though the coach double-shifted his top 5? I know I don't remember much about minor hockey outcomes; just the people and the highlights and lowlights.

At the end of the day, how will this decision impact the kids NOW (if it works and if it doesn't – you must consider both outcomes) and their memories about this year in the FUTURE?

These comments come from the voice of experience. I know I had ice time taken away from me in the playoffs as a minor hockey player, and I still have a sour taste in my mouth towards that coach and the entire year because of it. It came out of nowhere in the finals – so nothing like this had occured to anybody on the team during the season – and I really started to dislike hockey because of that incident.

Many times, the adults make adult decisions based on their age and logic and the philosophy it is all about winning. I think they should try to put on the 'kid's hat' more often and consider that perspective…

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."