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Joborule · 09-22-2011, 07:12 PM

So what is the type of play that I'm looking for out of the competitive team players? Here's a few tips on the idea of what you should be doing on the ice.

DEFENSE

Don’t be over aggressive: When you’re a defender against the opposing team rush, your main objective is to prevent keep the opposing team from generating a good scoring opportunity and slowing down the rush to allow the backcheckers to catch up. There have been numerous times a defender takes a aggressive approach in defending the rush by going for the body and missing, allowing the puck carrier to have a good scoring opportunity which could’ve been avoided. If you don’t have a teammate covering for your potential mistake, it’s not worth the unnecessary risk. A more conservative approach should be adopted to prevent this from happening. Contain the puck carrier to the outside and prevent them from having easy access to the inside. This will slow them down which will allow your teammates to catch up.
Now this doesn’t mean don’t ever go for the hit no matter what. If you’re confident that you can successfully connect the hit and it’ll result in us getting the puck back there or contain the rush, go for it. We just need to make sure our risk taking actions yield more reward rather than mishaps.

Cover the passing and shooting lanes: In the defensive zone we are one whole unit. We are working together to prevent good shots and retrieve the puck so we can go back on the offensive. If you’re not defending 1 on 1 on a player then your role is to defend your part of the ice by cutting off the passing lane or shooting lane; which is especially true on the Penalty Kill since you won’t be able to cover everyone on the ice man and man. Cutting off the options of the puck carrier will lead to them having to take a bad shot or better will generate a turnover.

Don’t chase the puck carrier: It’s important that if a player is dangling around, not to get sucked into and start to move out of position since that’s the puck carrier objective. Keep the player contained. The only time players should abanded their spot of the ice is when collapsing into the slot if there is ongoing danger in the zone. Again, if there’s danger in the slot is when it’s code red.

OFFENSE

Choose the better options: It’s important that when you have the puck to make the most out of the opportunity. If you have the option to take a good shot, take it. If you have the option to take a shot (though not great), but have the option to pass the puck to a player that is open, pass the puck off. This could lead to a better opportunity to make something happen since they may have a good spot for a shot or continue the cycle for a better scoring opportunity. Smart puck movement is extremely important since it’ll open up the defense which will open up prime spots and great opportunities for scoring. Again though, if there isn’t a great passing opportunity (give the puck to the opposing team by going for the cross crease pass too often), take the shot, ring the puck around the boards down low (can be done in attack zone this year), or retain possession.

Be in the best position: Just like how we’re one unit in the defensive zone, we need to a unit in the offensive zone. After all, it’s harder to cover five players then just one. Be aware in the offensive zone of where you should be in the zone. Place yourself in spots that provides a passing option or an escape option for the puck carrier whether that’s in the slot, down low, at the point, the side boards, or other side of the ice. When the puck is at the point, we should have a player in front of the goalie providing the screen. Don’t sacrifice being a passing option for the puck carrier though to be the screen. And also keep in mind to not occupy a zone another teammate has already. We’re hurting ourselves by having two players in one spot rather than using all the open ice we have.

Cover the pinching D man: Forwards, notably wingers, have to be aware of when the defenseman is pinching whether that’s on the rush or during the play in the attack zone. These players are taking chances to be part of the play so it’s that they’re spot is covered so we aren’t on our heels in the event of a turnover.

Avoid blueline turnovers: These turnovers hurt the most since it’s at the spot of the last line of defense. They tend to lead to odd man rushes or breakaways which have a high percentage chance of leading to a goal against. So it’s crucial that if you have the puck and you’re one the last players between the opposing player and your goalie, that you don’t lose the puck at the blueline. If you’re getting pressured and don’t have a passing option, your two options should be to get the puck off by shooting at the net or getting the puck deep in the zone whether it’s by passing down low or dumping the puck down low.

As you can see, player positioning and smarts is something I’m taking high value in.

09-22-2011, 07:12 PM	#127
Joborule Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, Alberta Exp:	So what is the type of play that I'm looking for out of the competitive team players? Here's a few tips on the idea of what you should be doing on the ice. DEFENSE Don’t be over aggressive: When you’re a defender against the opposing team rush, your main objective is to prevent keep the opposing team from generating a good scoring opportunity and slowing down the rush to allow the backcheckers to catch up. There have been numerous times a defender takes a aggressive approach in defending the rush by going for the body and missing, allowing the puck carrier to have a good scoring opportunity which could’ve been avoided. If you don’t have a teammate covering for your potential mistake, it’s not worth the unnecessary risk. A more conservative approach should be adopted to prevent this from happening. Contain the puck carrier to the outside and prevent them from having easy access to the inside. This will slow them down which will allow your teammates to catch up. Now this doesn’t mean don’t ever go for the hit no matter what. If you’re confident that you can successfully connect the hit and it’ll result in us getting the puck back there or contain the rush, go for it. We just need to make sure our risk taking actions yield more reward rather than mishaps. Cover the passing and shooting lanes: In the defensive zone we are one whole unit. We are working together to prevent good shots and retrieve the puck so we can go back on the offensive. If you’re not defending 1 on 1 on a player then your role is to defend your part of the ice by cutting off the passing lane or shooting lane; which is especially true on the Penalty Kill since you won’t be able to cover everyone on the ice man and man. Cutting off the options of the puck carrier will lead to them having to take a bad shot or better will generate a turnover. Don’t chase the puck carrier: It’s important that if a player is dangling around, not to get sucked into and start to move out of position since that’s the puck carrier objective. Keep the player contained. The only time players should abanded their spot of the ice is when collapsing into the slot if there is ongoing danger in the zone. Again, if there’s danger in the slot is when it’s code red. OFFENSE Choose the better options: It’s important that when you have the puck to make the most out of the opportunity. If you have the option to take a good shot, take it. If you have the option to take a shot (though not great), but have the option to pass the puck to a player that is open, pass the puck off. This could lead to a better opportunity to make something happen since they may have a good spot for a shot or continue the cycle for a better scoring opportunity. Smart puck movement is extremely important since it’ll open up the defense which will open up prime spots and great opportunities for scoring. Again though, if there isn’t a great passing opportunity (give the puck to the opposing team by going for the cross crease pass too often), take the shot, ring the puck around the boards down low (can be done in attack zone this year), or retain possession. Be in the best position: Just like how we’re one unit in the defensive zone, we need to a unit in the offensive zone. After all, it’s harder to cover five players then just one. Be aware in the offensive zone of where you should be in the zone. Place yourself in spots that provides a passing option or an escape option for the puck carrier whether that’s in the slot, down low, at the point, the side boards, or other side of the ice. When the puck is at the point, we should have a player in front of the goalie providing the screen. Don’t sacrifice being a passing option for the puck carrier though to be the screen. And also keep in mind to not occupy a zone another teammate has already. We’re hurting ourselves by having two players in one spot rather than using all the open ice we have. Cover the pinching D man: Forwards, notably wingers, have to be aware of when the defenseman is pinching whether that’s on the rush or during the play in the attack zone. These players are taking chances to be part of the play so it’s that they’re spot is covered so we aren’t on our heels in the event of a turnover. Avoid blueline turnovers: These turnovers hurt the most since it’s at the spot of the last line of defense. They tend to lead to odd man rushes or breakaways which have a high percentage chance of leading to a goal against. So it’s crucial that if you have the puck and you’re one the last players between the opposing player and your goalie, that you don’t lose the puck at the blueline. If you’re getting pressured and don’t have a passing option, your two options should be to get the puck off by shooting at the net or getting the puck deep in the zone whether it’s by passing down low or dumping the puck down low. As you can see, player positioning and smarts is something I’m taking high value in.