Statistics – Used for critical area’s on the ice

[Tom Molloy]

Rookie Coach, the three game situations and the four game playing roles are the language I use when talking to my teams or giving clinics or skill sessions. They are the template of the game and the pillars for planning practices to prepare to play the game.

We practice transition every ice time because if you are going to gain possession of the puck 180 times and lose possession 180 times then you better be ready to quickly move from offense to defense to racing and winning loose pucks. To be successful the players must have good habits and good technique and be able to skate with balance and control.

It is critical to understand what actually happens in a game before you can play effectively.

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

[RookieCoach]

Tom,
What age groups would you start using your language ( 3 game situation and 4 playing roles ) for communication ?

What about teaching or communicating by numbers ?

What skills do you find young players lack in today's game aside from skating , puck handling , shooting etc?

I find many coaches don't teach puck protection , defensive side positioning , stick on stick etc.
Once players get to body checking players chase all over the ice for the big hit , forgetting about positioning or containing the opponent.

Thoughts from other coaches on skills we need to teach ?

RookieCoach

[Kai K]

I would add the priorities of the game in to same category with the three situations and four playing roles.

Priorities of the game when in offense are:
1. to score a goal
2. to win space towards opponents goal
3. to create space to win the space (lateral passing or playing back to D etc.)
4. to maintain defensive readiness

Priorities of the game when in defense are:
1. to prevent scoring
2. to win the puck back to our team (pressure)
3. to prevent opponent from winning the space (defend the big ice)
4. to maintain offensive readiness

Kai

[RookieCoach]

Kai , Great points you added.

From your stats you posted earlier on this topic (turnovers etc)

How do these stats affect the style and the systems that you coach in Finland ?

Do you work TRANSITION games each practice session ?

Reading all these stats on turnovers makes me think as a coach if you have the skill and speed on you team pressure is a must.

RookieCoach

[Kai K]

RookieCoach wrote:
Kai , Great points you added.

From your stats you posted earlier on this topic (turnovers etc)

How do these stats affect the style and the systems that you coach in Finland ?

Do you work TRANSITION games each practice session ?

Reading all these stats on turnovers makes me think as a coach if you have the skill and speed on you team pressure is a must.

RookieCoach

We work transition games in every practice and almost in every dryland practice too during the summer.
Continuum of the game is something that we want to pay attention to – how does the game continue when game situation changes? Are we in a good or in a bad postion to Attack/defend? What priority ? what role?
Anticipation / perception ->decision -> result

Player should please the game not the coach – The game sets the standard for the player.

Kai

[Kai K]

RookieCoach wrote:
Kai , Great points you added.

From your stats you posted earlier on this topic (turnovers etc)

How do these stats affect the style and the systems that you coach in Finland ?

Do you work TRANSITION games each practice session ?

Reading all these stats on turnovers makes me think as a coach if you have the skill and speed on you team pressure is a must.

RookieCoach

Transition games have been part of FIHA's development program since the 90's when Westerlund was head of coaching of Finnish Ice Hockey Association. In the late 90's FIHA added The ABC's Of International Ice Hockey to it's development program and to be introduced to coaches in FIHA's coaching clinics.

Kai

[Author]

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