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January 9, 2007
NG001
One of the challenges you face as a coach is identifying where and when during the game the new standards
will have the greatest impact. This article will focus on identifying 7 “high risk” times during a game.
Subsequent articles will assist you in teaching the situations and help your players avoid penalties in these
high risk times.
Face-offs
During typical games, face-offs occur every 45-50 seconds – during a typical minor hockey game this
translates into approximately 50 face-offs. In the new standard of play, the face-off is also a facet of the
game where a high volume of infractions will arise. Common tactics and coaching expressions used over the
past 20 years such as “centre tie up your man” or on the win we have to “hold up the winger” can no longer be
employed. Taking teaching time to enforce face-off responsibilities will assist in reducing penalties in this
area
Defensive Play
In a 60 minute game each team has offensive control of the puck about 200 times – conversely the defensive
team is trying to get it back 200 times. With this mind the key scenarios that produce great opportunity for
obstruction penalties include backchecking, 1 vs 1 play off the rush, net front play and 1 vs 1 play down
low. Terms and tactics like “stick on the man”, “pinning”, “can opener” and “lasso” no longer apply in the
new game. Coaches need to be creative and develop terms that paint a clear picture for players with regards
to what they can do on the defensive side of the puck.
Offensive Play
Two areas of potential infractions will occur on offense – pics/interference and hold ups on the
forecheck. Offense is often a forgotten area of the game when it comes to playing the game within the new
standard. However, players need to be careful in situations such as cycling or give and go’s. Offensive
players can not impede the opposition team’s ability to move defensively.
This article has highlighted 7 areas of the game that are greatly impacted by the new rules emphasis. Your
ability as a coach to teach players the proper techniques when engaged in these areas of the game is vital to
their development and enjoyment of the game.
» It's a New Game!
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