Feature Story
Several small philosophy topics
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Every once in a while I like to write a
column or two where I have a chance to discuss several unrelated things that
have piled up on my idea list – but don’t individually warrant a whole column.
Coaching positional play
Coaches have a responsibility to make it
very clear to their players what they expect them to do – what their
responsibilities are in games. While that sounds pretty basic, I continue to
see games where some defensemen (obviously) think that their forwards are not
very good and that they (the D) are not really needed on defense.
The reason I think that is because these
defensemen rush the puck 12 to 20 times a game. What is happening is that the
coach has failed to properly define the defensemen’s roles and enforce them.
Rushing occasionally when there is an advantage is part of that role.
I also see many forwards who make very
little attempt to provide proper coverage on their own zone and are just
waiting to go toward the other end. Again, coaches have failed to properly
define what the forwards need to do in all areas of the ice.
I see it like a construction project
(that’s my business). The specifications and changes are prepared by the coach
(designer); the contractors (players) build based on the design; the inspectors
(coaches) watch carefully to see that the work is being properly done according
to design.
Coaching is not quite that simple
(neither is construction) but if coaches approached player responsibilities
kind of that way, the players and coaches would be much happier.
“Clicking up” the pace
One of the prime responsibilities of
coaches during a game is to keep a close watch on the pulse – the pace of the
game. Most games have pace changes several times – maybe even several times per
period. The game picks up (by one team) and it must be matched quickly.
Anybody who has played for me will tell
you that I call this “clicking up”; moving up a few notches. Sometimes (often)
it means changing lines to see if one line will “jump up” and bring the other
lines with them. The coach needs to truly tell the team when a click up is
needed – and players need to learn, in games and in practices, what this means.
5-on-3 Power Plays
I don’t really want to spend time
diagramming the 5-on-3 power play, but rather point out the really obvious
items that make or break this excellent opportunity.
First, a team that
tries to cycle around or pass among the three forwards down low or on
the side are simply making the process a 3-on-3. Second, there is a very simple
way to take advantage of 5-on-3 situations. That is by going outside, having
one defenseman move toward the net with the puck (to draw one defender), then
cross pass to the other defenseman for a quick shot or one-timer. Then at the net is a 3-on-2 for rebounds/tips.
A team ought to be able to move the puck and rotate it outside for this shot at
least 4-5 times in a 5-on-3 power play.
Hockey is an individual and team
sport
I believe coaches have to try to
encourage (motivate) all the individual players on the team rather than
spending too much time motivating the team. While hockey is a team sport
and requires a team approach, it is each individual doing their job and
maximizing their performance that creates the team success.
Every player is different and needs
different handling, encouragement and motivation. Failing to deal with the
individuals will leave some substantial percentage of players unprepared
mentally and emotionally. It is much harder to keep track of the needs of 20
individuals than to generalize with the whole team. Much of the personal
handling involves CONFIDENCE and FEELING GOOD about SELF.
Winners prepare to win
A number of years ago I cut an article
out of the Minneapolis Star Tribune under their “Success Secrets” column
by Mark McCormack. He was talking about winners and losers. The concept was
that winners “set themselves up to win.” They don’t have excuses; they don’t
let other things limit them. He gave a checklist of things that winners are:
• They’re well conditioned
• They’re well rested.
• They’re peaking at the right time.
• They’ve thought about and set a game
plan.
• They’ve solved small nagging injuries.
Doing well isn’t lucky or just because of
natural born talent. It is a result of preparation. Some athletes don’t realize
this and move to good personal practices until they start feeling their age.
The athletes that perform very well when they are young (Tiger Woods types) are
very well prepared to perform well.
Speed, agility, strength
Most physiology gurus (training
specialists) like our own Jack Blatherwick, will
aggress that these three are the prime physical characteristics that make up
top athletes, including hockey players. They would also agree that some
athletes are born with more of each – so have a head start. At the same time,
each of these can be created, within reason.
• Speed – I
believe speed is very much a matter of effort. An average speed player that
tries at 110 percent all the time will be faster than a fast player at 85-90
percent. If a player is fast and tries hard, then something special exists.
There aren’t many of these – even skating full tilt all the way to the
puck makes average players “fast”.
• Agility –
This can be created because in hockey it has a lot to do with lower center of
gravity. Agility, in turn, is created by training the (primarily) large quad
and hamstring muscles. This gives more ability to move laterally and creates
more weight low (lower center of gravity). Agility can also be improved with
good plyometric training (jumping).
• Strength –
This can be created by a good workout regimen – throughout the body. So,
strength is a choice item by athletes. They can be stronger or weaker
depending on how hard they want to work.
Looking at all three items; hard work is
the basis of each – and athletes have a choice. Coaches can only encourage big
effort on the ice and hard work in the gym. They can also make certain that the
workout facility and good plan are available—and that practices are set up to
push hard work concepts (fast pace).
John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and
director of the