Hockey Principles and Good Habits

Sept 19th

by Jeff Lynt

As the new hockey season kicks off, coaches and players find themselves in a familiar position: needing to reinforce the essential principles and good habits that underpin the game. In my early observations of this season's games at all levels, it's evident that, as in every new season, players benefit from a reminder of these fundamental elements. These principles not only form the backbone of hockey but also serve as the qualities that scouts and coaches continually seek in players. Having scouted many games already, I've seen how crucial it is for both coaches and players to remember and apply these principles consistently. 

In this article, we'll break down these critical principles and habits that should be ingrained in every player's game, providing a practical reminder for coaches and players alike as they gear up for the upcoming season.  

These are not in particular order and it is not a complete list, its just things that I've taken notes of during my early evaluations on players and team play.

The Basics:

1. Everyone is Defense, Everyone is Offense:

In hockey, roles can change in the blink of an eye. When the opposing team has possession of the puck, every player on your team must adopt a defensive mindset. This means being ready to block shots, disrupt passes, and clear the zone. When your team regains possession, an offensive mentality must prevail. Players should immediately transition into attack mode, looking for passing lanes, shooting opportunities, or supporting teammates with a goal in mind.

2. Have your stick on the Ice:

Stick on the ice to provide passing target, be ready to shoot for scoring chances and defensively to create turnovers.

3. Win Battles and Races - Bet on Yourself for 50/50 Races to the Puck

Hockey is a game of battles and races, both for the puck and position on the ice. When there's a race to the puck, have confidence in your skating ability and determination. Betting on yourself means giving your all to reach the puck first, preventing extended battles and allowing for quick puck movement to maintain control of the game.

Players should strive for a high compete level, being aggressive and physical in battles. Taking pride in winning pucks and races, along with a willingness to use your body, can be the difference between success and failure on the ice. 

Engaging in battles along the boards is fundamental. When you're battling on the boards, your primary goal is to separate your opponent from the puck. Use your body effectively to pin the opponent or push them away from the puck, creating time for a teammate to come in as the "second quick" and retrieve the puck for your team.

4. Take the Lane, Then the Puck:

This principle emphasizes the need to establish a dominant position before attempting to gain possession of the puck. Rather than reaching out blindly with your stick, skate aggressively to get ahead of your opponent. By positioning yourself effectively, you can block their path and then use your stick to make a controlled play on the puck, increasing your chances of success.

5. Head on a Swivel:

A "head on a swivel" mentality means constantly scanning the ice to take in all the information available. Be aware of your surroundings, including the positions of teammates, opponents, and the puck. Anticipating plays and reacting quickly to changing situations is key to success.

6. Stop on Pucks:

Never assume that a play is over. Hustle to stop loose pucks, whether in the offensive or defensive zone. Stopping on pucks not only helps maintain possession but also ensures that your team remains competitive and ready to capitalize on opportunities.

7. Back on Top of Pucks:

In fast-paced games, puck possession can change rapidly. Players should make it a habit to sprint back to regain control of the puck when it moves away from them. This quick reaction allows for a "reload" to regain possession and maintain offensive pressure.

8. Block Shots:

Blocking shots is a courageous and selfless act in hockey. Players should be willing to attack the shooter, putting their stick on the puck and their body in the shooting path and not just pretending to block shots. 

9. Finish/Bump in Front:

To disrupt the opponent's offensive play, players should finish in front of the puck carrier cutting off routes and preventing easy entry into the offensive zone. 

Pre-bumping forechecking players can buy time for yourself or for a teammate to retrieve the puck and deny possession by the opposing team.

10.  Always Protect the Puck: (with your body and cuts hands)

Possession of the puck is paramount in hockey. Players should always prioritize protecting the puck, whether it's shielding it from opponents with their body, using quick puck-handling skills, or making smart passes. Maintaining puck possession allows for better control of the game's flow and more offensive opportunities. Take away the hands of the defender by skating tight in front of the defender, using the leg/ hip to take away the defenders stick / hands. Use your free arm to propel yourself forward and or take away the defenders stick. Use your legs around the puck to shield it from the defenders so you can buy a little more time before you make a play

11. Provide Close Support:

Support your teammates by being nearby and available for passes or quick plays. Close support ensures that options are readily available to the player with possession, promoting efficient puck movement and offensive continuity. 

Offensively:

1. Head-Man the Puck:

"Head-manning the puck" signifies the importance of moving the puck quickly and efficiently. When you're carrying the puck, consider passing it to a teammate who's in a better position to advance it. This swift puck movement not only accelerates your team's attack but also keeps the opposing defense on its toes, making it harder for them to set up defensively.

2. Speed through the Neutral Zone.

Always skate hard and fast through the neutral zone. When players maintain high-speed through the neutral zone, they put pressure on the opposing defense, making it challenging for them to set up defensively. This speed can lead to breakaways, odd-man rushes, and increased offensive opportunities. 

3. Get on the Highway, Take the Side Road if It's Jammed:

The principle here is to prioritize getting on the "highway," which refers to the central ice corridor between the dots, when entering the offensive zone. This is the optimal route for attacking and creating scoring chances.

However, players should be prepared to take the "side road." Adapting to the situation and making quick decisions about whether to use the highway or the side road can make all the difference in generating offensive opportunities and maintaining control of the game.

4. Spread Wide on Entries into the Offensive Zone (spread the entry):

Linemates should distribute the entry across all three lanes, utilizing the central lane and the two flanking lanes along the boards. By spreading wide on entries provides several advantages, including opening up passing lanes, stretching out the opposing defense, and creating more opportunities for offensive plays.

5. Split the Defenders – Middle Lane Drive (MLD):

The Middle Lane Driver plays a crucial role in creating offensive opportunities on the rush. This player serves two vital functions. With speed, the MLD forces D1 to adjust their positioning to deny a pass, usually opening up more space for the puck carrier. If D1 fails to deny the pass to the MLD, D2 must shift to cover the potential return pass from the puck carrier. This shift creates a passing lane to F3, facilitating offensive plays and scoring chances.

6. Create Time and Space:

In the fast-paced game of hockey, creating time and space for yourself and your linemates is crucial. This involves intelligent positioning, quick decision-making, and using your body to protect the puck. By doing so, you can buy precious moments to make effective plays and capitalize on opportunities.

7. Use Feet Deceit:

"Feet deceit" involves using deceptive skating techniques to confuse opponents (Jap steps, cut backs and 10 & 2). By varying your stride, direction, using your edges and speed, you can make it challenging for defenders to anticipate your next move. This extra bit of time gained through deceptive skating can create opportunities to make plays or find open ice.

8.  Create 2 on 1's:

Creating 2 on 1 situations on the ice is a tactical advantage. This involves working with a teammate to outnumber an opponent, whether it's during an offensive rush or defending against an opponent with the puck. Effective communication and positioning are essential in creating and capitalizing on 2 on 1 opportunities.

9. Make Triangles:

Forming triangles with your linemates and teammates on the ice maximizes puck support and passing options. Triangles create a network of passing lanes, making it challenging for opponents to defend effectively. It's a fundamental concept for maintaining possession and generating scoring chances.

Scoring:

1. Shooting Mentality when drivers and Traffic in Front of the Net:

Shoot the puck on net when there are driving players and traffic in front of the goalie. To make life difficult for the opposing goaltender, position yourself and your teammates in front of the net. This "traffic" obscures the goalie's view, making it challenging to track the puck and increasing the chances of deflections or rebounds leading to goals. 

2. Stop at the net:

Stopping at the puck is a great habit, especially on the forecheck.. But it also pays off around the net. Rather than drift past the net and lose out on a second chance, the simple habit of stopping leads to a goal.

3. Take Good "A" Quality Shots - Inside the House:

When you have a scoring opportunity, prioritize taking high-quality A shots from within the "house," the high-danger area in front of the net. These shots have a higher likelihood of finding the back of the net or generating rebounds for your teammates.

4. Cross the Royal Road

When possible, players should look to "cross the royal road." This means skating or passing the puck from one side of the ice to the other, typically through the slot area, to create open shooting lanes forcing lateral movement and confuse the goaltender. 

5. Three (3) Circles for Rebounds

When preparing to capitalize on rebounds, position in one of three key areas:

1. Short Side Circle: This circle is positioned near the side of the net where the initial shot is taken. Players should be ready to pounce on rebounds that come out to the short side, maximizing their chances of finishing the play.

2. Dot Wide Circle: Located slightly wider from the net (on the weak side) this circle covers a broader area where rebounds may deflect. Players positioned here are prepared to collect rebounds and make quick plays.

3. Third Circle (Slot): Positioned in the slot area, players in this circle are ready to capitalize on rebounds that bounce out to the middle of the ice. This high-scoring area is prime real estate for converting rebound chances into goals.

Defensively:

1. Protect the Highway:

The "highway" refers to the central ice corridor between the dots, a prime area for offensive and defensive plays. Protecting the highway means keeping control of this critical zone during defensive situations and using it effectively to create scoring chances when your team is on the attack. It's about maintaining dominance in the heart of the ice.

2. Play Inside the Dots (mind the dots):

Staying inside the dots signifies positioning yourself strategically within the hockey rink. When defending, you should aim to force your opponents outside this area, limiting their ability to take high-percentage shots. On offense, exploit the space within the dots to create passing lanes, set up screens, and get closer to the net for scoring opportunities.

3. Protect the House:

"The house" is the high-danger scoring area right in front of the opponent's net. As a player, your job is to protect this area when you're on defense. This involves tying up opposing players, blocking shots, and clearing rebounds to prevent goals. On offense, you want to position yourself in the house to capitalize on rebounds and create scoring chances.

4. Angle - Read and Dictate: / Active Stick on Pucks

Hockey is as much a mental game as it is physical. "Angle - Read and Dictate" encourages players to read the game, anticipate their opponents' actions, and dictate the flow of play.  Engaging the puck carrier with your stick on the puck is a fundamental defensive tactic. Maintaining good angles (gap and control) is crucial. It's about positioning yourself effectively to force the opponent into making unfavorable decisions. Proper angling ensures that you position yourself to force opponents into less advantageous situations, limiting their options and increasing the likelihood of turnovers.  In defensive situations, use your stick actively to disrupt passes, block shots, and intercept plays.

5. Gap and Control

Defensive gap control is a fundamental aspect of a strong defensive game in hockey. It involves a player's ability to maintain the right distance or "gap" between themselves and the opponent they are defending.

These principles and good habits are not just recommendations; they are the essence of success. Coaches and players alike should revisit and recommit to these fundamentals each season. By mastering these principles, players not only impress scouts but elevate their team's performance and create memorable moments on the ice. As the new season dawns, remember: hockey greatness starts with a solid foundation. 

See our page with video that demonstrate Good Habits.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Jeff Lynt

Is a Head Scout with Elite Hockey Canada. 

Founder of EHC Agency and he is a certified Hockey Scout and Agent with SMWW - Sports Management Worldwide. jeff.lynt@elitehockeycanada.com or jlynt@smww.com

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