Reply To: Diary of a Season 10-11

[hockeygod]

In my mixed junior high class (grades 7-9), we have been playing one of Tom's continuous games. With our numbers and wide disparity in skills (overall – not very skilled – only 1 bantam AA skater, 1 midget 1 skater and a couple of bantam division 2 players – the rest are bantam division 3 or lower – several beginners and a couple of ringette girls too), we are having good results by putting similar skill levels in groups of three and setting up the rotations such that equally skilled groups compete against each other. Typically, this results in 3 or 4 'lines' of three players per 'team' (18 – 24 skaters) but sometimes when we have an odd number, we use them as a joker or two (they wear a different jersey / third colour and are always on offense, helping whatever team has the puck) to create an odd-man situation) so we utilize everyone.

This particular game is a 3 vs 3 in one end zone with 3 supporting players (defensive) waiting on the blue line for an outlet pass from the defenders. Upon the outlet pass, all 3 support players (breakaway) attack the opposite end… the 3 attacking players have to backcheck; the 3 original defending players support the rush until it crosses the far blue line, then hustle to the bench and get off the ice. Our "rules of engagement" stated that the 3 breakaway players had to make two passes once they enter the offensive zone (onside) before they can try to score. This demands some passing skill execution and slows them up a bit so the 3 backcheckers have a chance to apply some backpressure (to increase the intensity / urgency.) It has gone very well. This continuous drill is fun, challenging and has allowed for many teachable moments.

When the last of the three attacking players cross the offensive blue line, three more supporting players (defensive) enter the play; lining up on the blue line to wait for an outlet pass from the defenders, and the game repeats.

The next stage in the evolution is to have the breakaway players touch the puck once each as they attack through the neutral zone before (smart) dumping the puck once they cross the red line. They will be encouraged to dump to an area they feel they have a good chance(>50%) to recover, using a chip, x-ice, rim, or aerial. (We will have a coach 'playing' D against the rush – forcing them to dump.) This will require decision-making; reading the pressure and support. Then we will work on OZ puck recovery. One above, one below and one on the puck… then spread out, perhaps change the point of attack (if warranted) and try to score. This will again provide backpressure and the backchecking players can start to read how to set up a defensive triangle / rudimentary DZ coverage principles.

[Further options for a 'team' setting: one could progress to explain the concepts of 5-man DZ coverage, using the #1 – #5 'numbering' system in Tom's book and outline various forecheck schemes and principles.]

Since we are a skill academy, we don't teach systems; our focus is on individual skills, individual and team tactics.

Overall, we feel quite impressed that this group of kids has shown they are capable of performing this game fairly well. They understand the rotation / adapt to our "rules of engagement" and are learning principles of play about transition, offense and defense. The Game is the Best Teacher! We coaches are merely the facilitators!

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