Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Great stuff timbit, and always appreciated. Some questions on your observations and thoughts on the coaching we've seen to date.
A big part of coaching is also game planning and preparation, yes? Does this team look like it is prepared to deal with the systems or strategies the other teams employ? If there is one weakness its that this team looks like a collective herd of deer in headlights the second the puck is dropped and not prepared for the defensive or offensive habits the other team relies upon. I appreciate individual preparation to execute their assigned responsibilities, but this team looks like they have not been given any game plan or expectations of what the other team may or may not do.
Systems are also the purview of the coaching staff, yes? Players are not given the latitude to sway from the system and freelance as they cause breakdowns and leave their team mates hanging. The players follow the system or they are disciplined. So when the players are getting their heads caved in and checked into submission using the same break out, should the coaching staff not have them prepared to use a different scheme? Should the coaching staff not make immediate adjustments when the team is hemmed into their own end for multiple shifts?
Sticking with the idea of systemic play, the players move the puck in ways that follow the system as everyone is on that same page, yes? So when the team displays certain behaviors in a very consistent way are we not to assume this is part of the overall systemic approach the coaching staff have drilled the players to employ?
You stated the players are supposed to do things at speed and that Ward believes in quick transition. I believe the players believe in this too, but it appears the first move of the puck is always against the grain and is designed to slow the play down. The defense will routinely pass back and forth between themselves to slow the play to snail's pace and give the opposition a chance to set up their defensive structure. This seems counter to the transition game. Now, this is a consistent behavior which is usually indicative of a team complying with the system, no? Is this not playing to the weakness of the Flames and to the strength of the opposition?
I do like how you explained that players are to use the open ice created by [layer and puck movement. Do you see this as the way the Flames are playing? Do you see this as part of their system? It seems to me they are content to allow the opposition to clog the neutral zone, stand up at the blueline, and force the Flames to use the open ice, which they obviously are not doing. This is consistent from line-to-line. So it this not another example of a systemic approach and a failure of that system?
I'll happily pin it on players when they make stupid plays, like skating into coverage or moving into the same space as one of their team mates, but it appears they are being told to attack in a given manner and there is little freedom to stray from that flawed plan. The solution seems to be for them to just work harder rather than working smarter and trying to create open ice. It seems the freedom to create is not there?
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That’s a lot of questions. Bear with me.
The receivers decide how good a play the puck carrier will make, frequently. Are they working to use speed and get available? A lot of times they make the D-D pass inevitable.
You have to work to be available and be a receiver.
Play slows down when receivers aren’t committed to getting available.
Obviously, the D have to be quick , also, in recovering and reading.
A good player is able to make good reads approaching the opposition BL on the rush....can I skate it in and maintain possession?....make a play( pass) to a teammate and maintain puck possession with speed ? Or chip to a place where a teammate or I can retain or regain possession.?
Individual confidence, IQ, skill and ability , not primarily coaching, IMO, decide the decision more times than not . A BL turnover can lead to countering an odd man rush against... Those can be trouble.
On the positive side, the right decision can lead to a quality scoring chance for..
I can guarantee there a very few to zero restrictions re when the Flames have the puck.
Players are playing in the NHL because they make good decisions .
Coaches are responsible for explaining what they should expect from the opposition.
The more times you make smart decisions the more confidence you acquire. Also , the harder you work to GET available, the easier decision you make re execution for yourself and/ or your teammate.
The players are responsible for making a lot more good decisions than mediocre or bad ones. Too many of the latter, you watch. Rightly so..
Confidence is tough to acquire...easy to lose. You build layers of confidence by doing things right. The more layers you have, the tougher it is to lose.
Are their defensive systems ?
For sure.
Go back to the offensive concepts and principles...as well as individual and team tactics.
Reverse them and you have the defensive side of it...
Limit time and/or space, protect mid ice corridor, D side positioning...etc.
I want to concentrate on the game.
Answered the best I could.