The importance of executing simple plays effectively cannot be overstated in hockey. While flashy goals and highlight-reel plays certainly grab all the attention, the simple plays within the game often make the crucial difference between winning and losing. Simply stated .... EVERY PLAY MATTERS!
For instance, failing to execute a clean, basic breakout pass or a chip off the boards in the defensive zone can lead to unnecessary and potentially costly turnovers, setting the stage for the opposing team's counterattack.
Accurate execution of these simple plays avoids self-inflicted setbacks and prevents the opposition from receiving unexpected gifts.
Consistent execution of these basic plays throughout a game leads to winning hockey games.
Let's delve into some key elements that highlight the significance of executing simple plays in hockey:
Clean Breakout Passes:
Transition Game: A successful breakout pass is the starting point for a team's transition from defense to offense. A well-executed breakout pass helps move the puck efficiently and catches the opposing team off guard, creating potential scoring opportunities.
Avoid Turnovers: Failing to execute a clean breakout pass can result in turnovers deep in the defensive zone, leading to high-quality scoring chances for the opposition. A turnover in this area can be particularly dangerous and quickly become a self-inflicted wound.
Chipping Pucks off the Boards:
Pressure Relief: When a team is under pressure in its defensive zone, smart players opt for simplicity by chipping the puck off the boards. This technique relieves pressure, disrupts the opponent's forecheck, and allows the team to regroup and gain control of the puck.
Zone Exits: Chipping the puck off the boards is an effective strategy for controlled zone exits. It minimizes the risk of turnovers in high-traffic areas and allows forwards to gain possession with speed through the neutral zone.
Protecting High-Danger Scoring Areas:
Defensive Responsibility: Solid defensive play prevents the opposing team from accessing high-danger scoring areas. This requires players to stay disciplined, maintain proper positioning, stay on their defensive assignments, and promptly clear rebounds or loose pucks.
Goaltender Support: Executing simple plays, such as clearing the crease or blocking shots, is vital for supporting goaltenders. By keeping high-danger areas clear, players contribute to the overall team defense and reduce the likelihood of easy scoring opportunities for the opposition.
Hunting Pucks:
Aggressive Forechecking: While everyone wants to make a fancy toe drag or shoot a bar down highlight reel type of goal, the truth is most goals are scored by aggressive forechecking, creating turnovers, and getting shots and rebounds on the net, Teams, and players that neglect to pressure the opposition on the forecheck do not create turnovers and subsequent scoring chances, making the opposing team's breakout smoother and more effective. Strategically, the dump-and-chase is a fundamental play that, when executed precisely, disrupts the opponent's defensive structure. A well-calibrated soft dump (flipping the puck slowly into the corner) allows forwards to predict its trajectory, strategically positioning themselves for a forechecking onslaught. This controlled dump approach creates chaos for the opposing defense, enabling the offensive team to get on the defenseman quickly, regain puck possession, and launch an attack. Conversely, firing the puck hard into the opponent's zone allows the opposing team's defense to retrieve the puck quickly and potentially make a clean exit before a forecheck can be initiated. Thus, even a simple play like dumping the puck in properly (slow chip vs. fast dump) makes a big difference in a game outcome.
Have an Effective Faceoff Strategy:
Offensive Zone: Smart players approach offensive zone faceoffs with a plan. Winning a faceoff in the offensive zone can lead to immediate scoring opportunities. Centers may use different draw styles, such as a clean win back to the point for a quick shot or drawing the puck to the winger along the boards, providing that winger with numerous offensive options. Sometimes, a draw isn't about winning the puck cleanly but tying up the opposing center to allow a teammate, often a winger, to swoop in and grab possession. This tactic can create chaos in the opponent's defensive setup, leading to offensive chances.
Defensive Zone: In the defensive zone, winning faceoffs becomes critical for protecting a lead. Centers may employ various techniques, including tying up the opposing player's stick or strategically directing the puck to a defenseman or winger. A clean defensive zone faceoff win can relieve pressure and prevent opponents from generating high-quality scoring chances.
Team Cohesion:
Hockey is the epitome of a team sport, and success on the ice relies heavily on the collective efforts of every player working together as a cohesive unit. The importance of each player executing their roles individually and intelligently and contributing to the team's overall strategy cannot be overstated. If four players on the ice are doing the little things to win, but the fifth isn't, it can undo all the good work the rest of the team is doing.
So next time you're on the ice, remember EVERY PLAY MATTERS ... the chip, the face-off, a zone clear, a backcheck, etc.
Best,
Coach Kevin
