Reply To: What Happens in a Hockey Shift

[Tom Molloy]

Bjorn Kinding a well known Swedish coach gave at talk at one of the HC symposiums and stated that hockey is very similar to 'tennis' because there is constant change of possession. So if each team gets possession of the puck about 180 times in an average game that means that the puck changes possession 360 times or about 6 times per minute.

That is why good habits like face the puck, stick on the ice are so important. So we have to practice these things. Giving close support to the puck carrier and creating 2-1's both on offense and on defense also must be practiced. Constant changes of possession mean you are always going from offense to defense to racing for loose pucks and from puck carrier to getting open to checking the puck carrier to covering an opponent.

Practices have to reflect this reality.

Drills where players go through pylons carrying the puck in front of them instead of in the triple threat position are ok for beginners but they must progress into more complex situations that are game like if we want players to be effective in games.

Most hockey cultures outside of North America play cross ice games until the players are 9 years old. These cross ice games create tight situations and the average player gets 6 times more touches because of this.

There is nothing wrong with effective drills to learn technique when young and for warm up when the players are older. We can't keep using beginning drills all practice at every level and expect players to be successful in game situtations.

With the average drills practice a player moves between 7-11 minutes and stands around 49-53 minutes. It would be better to just eliminate practices and play only games. With 3 lines in a 75 min. ice time with a 5 min. warm up each player would get the 5 min. warm up and 23 minutes of playing time.

Just some thoughts in what should be considered when planning a practice. If it is just drills then the coach has forgotten the nature of the game. Instead do the drills but also do transition games, games, contests, shootouts.

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