Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[Tom Molloy]

Dave I have searched the site and my files and can't find it. It was about the transition between the 4 game playing roles. I did find two really good presentations. One by Erkka Westerlund who coached the silver medal Finns in 2006 and one by Perry Pearn on Dzon play. He was the sacrificial lamb for Montreal yesterday and got gassed because the players weren't scoring on the pp. I will attach them again here.

Attachments

• Erkka team play.pdf (987 KB)
• perry pearn dzone in new nhl.pdf (7 MB)

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

[Kai K]

Here Dave,
Game situations

Kai

[DaveM]

That's the one……Thanks Kai!

[Paulie]

Spent an hour and a half composing a preface and explaning my evolution as a coach. Then the computer crashed and I lost it all.

Where's a Ref when you want to scream?

So this is a streamlined version of a work in progress developed with input from Tom, Kai, and the many users of this forum.

Love to hear your thoughts. Glad to answer questions. And wouldn't it be great if we coaches could come up with a two-four(six) page summary of how to play the game!

Six Game Situation Roles

These game situation roles will allow us to work better as a team. When our Puck carrier knows the roles of his closest and furthest teammates and vice versa, then our reading and reacting skills are that much easier. Likewise, when our defender closest to their puck carrier pressures immediately, then everyone else knows his job; there is no confusion. Being hesitant or unsure leaves the team vulnerable.

Understanding the following six roles, and then recognizing which one you are presently involved in, will help in putting you “in the right place at the right time.”

Three Roles on Offense

Role #1 – Puck carrier (Offensive Player 1) PRESSURE
–shoot/score
–pass
–skate to open ice
–pressure (drive skate/triple threat position)
–delay (turn back/quick stop/change pace)
–protect the puck
–transition: when checked assume Role(s) 4, or 5

Role #2 – Closest Teammate to Puck carrier (Offensive Player 2) SUPPORT
–move to open space…lose your marker!
–pass/shot ready
–provide close support (within two-three stick lengths)
–support beside, above, or below the puck carrier
–provide legal interference, picks
–transition: defensive readiness/defensive side “Net. Me. Him.”
loose puck readiness (assume Role 1, or Role 4)

Role #3 –Teammates Not Closest to Puck carrier (Offensive Players 3,4,5) BALANCE
–move to open space…lose your marker!
–pass/shot ready
–provide close and/or far (width and depth) support
–support beside, above, or below the puck carrier
–drive the net, weak side, back door, decoy skating, etc.
–transition: defensive readiness/defensive side- “Net. Me. Him.”
–safety valve
–battle for position

Three Roles on Defense

Role #4 – Defender Nearest Puck carrier (Defensive Player 1) PRESSURE
–pressure or contain
–force attacker to outside, toward boards by angling
–close gap and eliminate options
–stick on stick (puck), body on body checking
–always finish…never turn away
–transition: offensive readiness, ready to assume Roles1 or 2

Role #5 –Second Defender Nearest Puck carrier (Defensive Player 2) SUPPORT
–read positioning of players around the puck and react
–patience: off the boards
–cut off passing lanes
–active mind, active stick
–transition: defensive readiness- identify your man and stay
between him and the net-“Net. Me. Him.”
Offensive readiness- Role 1 or 2 on turnover

Role #6 –Defenders Not Nearest Puck carrier (Defensive Players 3, 4, 5) BALANCE
–all seeing
–see the game, your man, and the puck carrier
–cut off passing lanes
–active mind, active stick
–transition: defensive readiness- identify your man and stay
etween him and the net-“Net. Me. Him.”
Offensive readiness- prepared to attack on turnover
–battle for Position

[hockeygod]

Paulie, I hear your frustration! This has happened to us all… hopefully you know about the autosave function on Word?

Good stuff here. You are hitting the points surrounding the four principles of offence and defence:

O
TRANSITION
PUCK CONTROL
SUPPORT
PRESSURE

D
TRANSITION
STALL / CONTAIN
SUPPORT
PRESSURE

My order differs from Coach Nielson – below… I believe everything starts with Transition!

—–

Team Play Principles

Offensive Zone Play

The objective of offensive team play is to move the puck as quickly as possible toward the opponents net to attempt to score a goal. Hockey Canada outlines 4 basic principles to achieve this objective:

Principle # 1 Pressure
Principle # 2 Puck Control
Principle # 3 Support
Principle # 4 Transition

Principle # 1 Pressure

The principle of pressure means that all offensive team play is based on quick player or puck movement that forces the defender to react more quickly than they would like. It creates TIME & SPACE for the attacker.

Pressure is accomplished by:

a) Speed: a quickness to attack that will limit the reaction time of the defender and force defensive error.

b) Concentration of Attack: any action or movement in a confined area which creates an offensive numerical advantage.

Principle # 2 Puck Control

A team which is able to maintain possession of the puck will be able to create scoring opportunities.

Puck Protection is accomplished by:

a) Puck Protection: any action or movement that keeps the puck from the defender through the use of one’s body. (Example, driving to the net)

b) Individual Skills: the individual who develops quick skating strides, acceleration with the puck, drive skating, sculling, crossing over to cut in, and cutting to the net, will contribute to a teams ability to execute puck control.

Principle # 3 Support

Players away from the puck must involve themselves as a passing option and as part of the attack. This requires that players are able to read the checking intentions and anticipate the movements of the puck carrier in order to react accordingly.

Support is accomplished by:

a) Triangulation: any offensive formation which creates offensive triangles, thus providing the puck carrier with two passing options and enabling the offensive team to create width and depth in the attack

b) Mid Lane: this applies to the offensive attack through the neutral zone which by passing to a teammate in the midlane or by carrying the puck from an outside lane to the midlane, the puck carrier is in position to initiate a play to either side. In the offensive zone, the attackers will also attempt to penetrate the slot (midlane) for a good scoring opportunity.

c) Numerical Advantage : good support can contribute to the pressure applied on the defense by creating numerical advantage and outnumbering the defenders in a confined area.

d) Movement: players away from the puck must be active in order to be involved in the attack.

e) Balance: although it is desirable to outnumber the opponent in the area of the puck, it is equally desirable to have balance in your attack by filling all three lanes. This will assist in stretching the defense which increases the space and time available to the attacking team.

Principle # 4 Transition

This is defined as the ability of a team to quickly move from defense to offense and vice versa.

Transition is accomplished by the Counter Attack: this can be done quickly by a fast break (pressure) or in a controlled manner with puck control.

Defensive Team Play

Defense is the basic phase of the game during which your team does not have possession of the puck. The purpose is to recover possession of the puck and/or prevent the opposition from scoring. In order for any team to be successful, they need play well defensively. Defensive team play has two basic objectives :

1. Deny or restrict the use of time and space by the offensive team
2. Regain possession of the puck or atleast limit puck possession by the opponent

Hockey Canada outlines 4 basic principles to achieve this objective:

Principle # 1 Pressure
Principle # 2 Stall/Contain
Principle # 3 Support
Principle # 4 Transition

Principle # 1 Pressure

Pressure reduces time and space. Pressure is accomplished by:

a) Speed – quickness to defend – limit offensive options – force errors
b) Pursuit – involves immediate and correct angling to limit opponent’s options
c) Concentration – grouping of defensive players to restrict space
d) Commit – determines whether the defensive player commits or contain the offensive player with the puck

Principle # 2 Stall/Contain

Force the opponent to stop or slow down the speed of the attack. Allow time for better defensive coverage. The defensive player pressures directly or steers the opponent to the outside lane. This is accomplished by holding the ice (as ub a two on one), keeping defensive side positioning, and forcing to the outside.

Principle # 3 Support

Support means that the defensive player must be active away from the puck by reducing the passing options and reading and reacting to the movement of the offensive players. This is usually accomplished by man to man or zone coverage. It also requires that the defensive team is not outnumbered in the defensive zone.

Principle # 4 Transition

The defensive team must be alert to change quickly from defense to offense when possession of the puck is gained from your opponent’s.

Basic Hockey Guidelines

Defensive Zone

– Think defense first and offense only when in full control of the puck
– Keep your head up and take the man first and then the puck. Take the offensive man out after he has passed the puck to eliminate a return pass.
– Cover the slot at all times. Move to a man coming from behind the net only when he is a direct threat to score.
– One defenseman should always be in front of the net and control any player in the low slot area. The defenseman should face up ice and be aware of players in front of the net. To watch the play in the corner, the defenseman should turn his head but keep his body squared up ice. The defenseman should not turn his back from the slot area unless a player is coming from behind the net and is a direct threat to score.
– When the defenseman has the puck just inside the blue line and is being pressured, he should dump the puck out over the blue line on the board side.
– When experiencing difficulty in moving th epuck out under pressure, freeze or ice the puck to get a face-off.
– Never pass the puck rink wide or through the center in your own end.
– Never pass the puck without looking in your own zone. The man must be there.
– Don’t shoot the puck arounds the boards unless a man is in position to receive it
– Never go backward in your own zone unless you are on a Power Play or there is no forechecking pressure.
– Never allow your team to be putnumbered in the defensive zone (ex. forwards are too high)

Neutral Zone – Offense

– If teammates are covered, dump the puck in or turn back and pass it to the defense, and then regroup and attack again.
– Never try to stickhandle past the opposition when teammates are with you
– The forwards without the puck should move to open ice with their stick on the ice, preparing to take a pass.
– Never go offside, straddle the blue line or cut in front of or behind the puck carrier.

Neutral Zone – Defense

– Backcheck by picking up the offside forward. Take the man to the net if he stays outside the defenseman. If the player cuts to the middle in front of the defense, stay in the lane. The backchecker should be on the inside of the offensive man, and slightly ahead of him.
– If the backchecker is trailing the play, pick up the high slot area.

Offensive Zone

– One man always drives to the net (drive for the rebounds, you must want to score, release the puck quickly)
– Shoot the puck when in a key scoring area (slot). Extra passes can end up in misses opportunities.
– The defenseman should shoot the puck quickly from the point. If you are pressured from the point, dump it in the corner.

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

[hockeygod]

Quote by: DaveM

Interesting topic. Thanks for all the posts. Here's another look at modern puck "possession," really puck retrieval, using the red wings and canucks as examples:

(Attached as PDF since it was detected as spam….it's not, I swear!)

I would argue that anticipation plays a huge role in puck retrieval and transition play too. The question I'm battling with is how to teach anticipation?

Thanks,
Dave

Sometimes the site thinks things are spam. I break up the web address a bit and it seems to work: Try this… http://www. youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MyilvOyzudA

Dave,

How do YOU think you teach anticipation???

(Loaded question; but not a trick question! It is meant to make you think… "Implicit learning" at work here, Dave!)

Please follow up with your answer to this one in the Game Intelligence forum…

—–

OK Dave, here we go… looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how to teach anticipation… with much anticipation!

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

[DaveM]

Thanks Dean & Tom, for making me think…….I thought I got Sundays off!?

Teaching anticipation – Hopefully players have a general understanding of anticipation meaning something like "being ready for what comes next before it happens," but I would ask them to explain what it is and why it matters. Simplifying the game into 3 possible situations (loose puck, they have it, or we have it) is important here as the transition from one to the other is what we are trying to anticipate better. Using some examples from recent games or even other sports could help establish relevance too…..think of a shortstop in baseball turning a double play. This play does not happen unless the shortstop and 2nd baseman size up the situation first and then react properly and quickly. This is the kind of reaction we are looking for, only on the fly over and over again in hockey…….making proper reads and reacting to the ever changing state of possession, and it needs to happen with ALL 5 PLAYERS, not just the ones closest to the puck. That is why I really like Kai's video of Detroit with the red, yellow & green indicator on the screen…it is a great example of all 5 players doing just that.

In order for anticipation to happen properly players need to read visible cues that indicate the level of puck possession by either team, and I would next switch the focus to this. I would ask players to indicate what those cues might be and how it might affect their positioning on the ice (assuming they have a basic understanding of d-zone coverage). Playing even strength transition games should help demonstrate the need to be ready for changes in possession, and I would gradually add players (D2, F2 & F3) until we have built up to full 5 v 5 situations. Playing games with modified rules, like only 2 sec. for puck possession before passing or shooting, would help re-enforce the concept. If I had a little more tech savvy I would look at video of our own team play in the same way that Kai looked at the Red Wings and ask players to evaluate how we are doing, and I would keep the concept front and center through all the areas of the game for the season.

Thanks for making me think it through. I could write more, but I didn't anticipate having to do so much work on a Sunday. (Actually, I slammed my finger in a car door today, so it's going pretty slowly!) How did I do?

Dave

[hockeygod]

DaveM wrote:
Thanks Dean & Tom, for making me think…….I thought I got Sundays off!?

Teaching anticipation – Hopefully players have a general understanding of anticipation meaning something like "being ready for what comes next before it happens," but I would ask them to explain what it is and why it matters. Simplifying the game into 3 possible situations (loose puck, they have it, or we have it) is important here as the transition from one to the other is what we are trying to anticipate better. Using some examples from recent games or even other sports could help establish relevance too…..think of a shortstop in baseball turning a double play. This play does not happen unless the shortstop and 2nd baseman size up the situation first and then react properly and quickly. This is the kind of reaction we are looking for, only on the fly over and over again in hockey…….making proper reads and reacting to the ever changing state of possession, and it needs to happen with ALL 5 PLAYERS, not just the ones closest to the puck. That is why I really like Kai's video of Detroit with the red, yellow & green indicator on the screen…it is a great example of all 5 players doing just that.

In order for anticipation to happen properly players need to read visible cues that indicate the level of puck possession by either team, and I would next switch the focus to this. I would ask players to indicate what those cues might be and how it might affect their positioning on the ice (assuming they have a basic understanding of d-zone coverage). Playing even strength transition games should help demonstrate the need to be ready for changes in possession, and I would gradually add players (D2, F2 & F3) until we have built up to full 5 v 5 situations. Playing games with modified rules, like only 2 sec. for puck possession before passing or shooting, would help re-enforce the concept. If I had a little more tech savvy I would look at video of our own team play in the same way that Kai looked at the Red Wings and ask players to evaluate how we are doing, and I would keep the concept front and center through all the areas of the game for the season.

Thanks for making me think it through. I could write more, but I didn't anticipate having to do so much work on a Sunday. (Actually, I slammed my finger in a car door today, so it's going pretty slowly!) How did I do?

Dave

Dave, no rest for the wicked; not even on the Sabbath!

Sorry to hear about the fingers…

I like your response. Here are some comments… I am speaking in somewhat general terms here. The percentages could be played with a bit, but I would do lots of 1 v 1 at the start and this would be my 'go-to' activity throughout the year; especially if I have the kids for 2-3 years as I would take a longer-term focus. In Kai's case, if you have kids during their Golden Years of development for 2 years… DEVELOPMENT using the LTAD is where the emphasis should be placed!

1) Good definition of anticipation.

2) Good job helping educate the players to build a depth of understanding. 0-1-2 explanations, video, use of other sports, situational play on ice all help. With the price / availability issue of ice, I would also look to use off-ice spaces too – play handball games or floorball with modified rules to enhance their understanding of the importance of transition – specifically within the first three seconds – both on offense and defense. "Let the game be the best teacher.'

3) Play 1 v 1 45% of the time; 2 v 1 35%; 1 v 2 10%. Keep track of the scores (individuals v individuals / teams v teams / goalies v goalies) as people will be competing. Hold them accountable with punishment / rewards. Do this for a month or two if you believe in the statistics! You can use different activities to achieve the 1 v 1 / 2 v 1 / 1 v 2 if you want. There is no hiding 1 v 1 and it allows for the 'ultimate accountability' – which builds positive work ethics and habits. This helps reinforce the reads players must learn for a 0-1-2 situation and lays the foundation for the 2 v 1 / 1 v 2 / 2 v 2 (where the other playing roles enter the picture!)

4) Constantly touch on 1 v 1 / 2 v 1 throughout the year; Begin adding players to the competitions after two months. Add 2 v 2 for a month (all 4 game playing roles); Then add 3 v 2 / 2 v 3. If you feel your effort is lagging, go back to 1 v 1!

5) You can use all 5 players for some team systems / strategy application 'walk-through's' (on and off ice).

6) Like what Tom does with his U18 girls, if you have the ability to 'play special teams' situations with another team; or combine teams (local bantam and midget together) for realistic practices using game situations… do it! Use the score clock to track time and score to help simulate the game. Can you also get refs? (If you can't get another similar team, divide your team into 2 teams – you might need a few affiliate players – and play each other.)

7) Don't forget / neglect the 1 v 1 / 2 v 1 / 1 v 2 situations as these are the most commonly occurring situations in hockey! If your kids truly learn the 1 v 1 (from both O + D perspective), your team will become better collectively! You are only as strong as your weakest link!

Thoughts…? This isn't the only / best way, just some late night thoughts… I might have more to add later…

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

[hockeygod]

One of the best ways to teach anticipation is to teach using SILENCE!

Why?

I will wait until a few people respond before I provide more details…

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

[RookieCoach]

Dean,

If I was to take a whiled guess I would say, "Let the game teach the Game", the coach can put in the game situation's and roles and create a game like atmosphere and what he would like to achieve and let the players go at it.

Just a guess so you would give us the answer.

RookieCoach

[hockeygod]

I'm going to wait for DaveM, Eric, Kai, rcmat and maybe Paulie (he doesn't post too often) to take a crack at it. I think Tom might know… so Tom, don't post about this yet! <evil laugh>

Waiting for people to do their 'homework'!

Anxiously waiting…!

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

[Robert Mattson]

Why silence? I'm not sure anticipation can be taught verbally; it can only be learned experientially.

[RK]

Dean,

You have me thinking of the past . I know it's not what you are talking about , but I can remember Walter Gretzky use to have Wayne sit and watch theTO Maple Leafs ( GO LEAFS) . He gave Wayne a blank piece of paper ( with a diagram of a rink) and a pen. Wayne would follow the puck as the puck moved om the TV. It helped him see the movements of the puck.
Also I remember Wayne saying (but don't Quote me) that he had to change his game at the higher levels. He had to re train himself to always go to open ice . Don't always follow the puck but move to an open spot away from the puck .

I miss the old days of watching Wayne play . I remember people saying how slow he skates sometimes. But he was just buying time for his teammates too catch up and work his magic. He was in control of the flow and dictated where the puck was going all the time.
Sorry for the trip down memory lane… Wayne's GIT I guess !!
RK

[Kai K]

Well I'll try……
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” – Wayne Gretzky

Some thoughts.

• I think that most of the anticipation is done when you're without the puck.
  As you're without puck most of time in game.
• The puck carrier can/has some controll over the time and space he/she has. So players 2, 3, 4, 5 try to anticipate the number one's actions.
• The game is harder to read when you're number 5 than when you're number 2. Nuber just reacts to number one when number 5 reacts to number 1, 2, 3, 4.

So what helps.

• 4.playing roles
• numbering of the players
• 0-1-2
• and the prioritys of the game

It's a bit theoretic……. I'll post more later….

Kai

[hockeygod]

RK – I do miss watching 'Whine' Gretzky… the 80's treated us to some outstanding hockey – Oilers vs Flames. I enjoyed going the the games with my dad. Tons of great memories there… starting in the old Calgary Corral in 1980, when the Flames arrived from Atlanta.

Back to the question…

Excellent! Great responses, everybody! I love this site!

Here's another question to get your mind thinking ever harder: How many senses do we have? This is related to my question about silence… and how it relates to teaching anticipation. (I am kind of surprised nobody has hit the nail directly on the head yet. It isn't a trick question – it is actually very obvious. You might slap yourself upside the head when I tell you…!!!)

Anybody else want to take another stab or provide more details?

I will post more later Sunday… <evil laugh squared!>

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

[Author]

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