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“DETROIT FALCONS GAME CONCEPTS”

Discipline

No talking to refs. No bad or lazy penalties. Have discipline within the team systems and concepts. Follow team guidelines and protocol…Short hard shifts, have a high-man, communicate during line changes, hit net during warm-ups, Etc………Be the most discipline team in the league……

Work Ethic be the hardest working team in the league.

DEFENSIVE CONCEPTS

Danger Zones

Net Front: Players must protect this first and foremost. Force the opposition away from this area and make them shoot from the outside. In most cases it is safe to have a defenseman in or near this zone so your team is always covered. Defenseman should concentrate on lifting the stick of the opponent first and then clear them out. Pucks from this area should always be cleared to a corner away from danger unless there is a clear cut opportunity to break the puck out of the zone.

Defensive Blue-Line:  Many players like to stickhandle 5 feet inside the defensive blueline under pressure. Many times it is more efficient to chip the puck of the boards to a space and play it safe. Remember all the opposing players must come back from your zone across the blue line before they attack again. Many games are won or lost over this simple game concept.

Offensive Blue-Line:  Turnovers in this area are dangerous because it gives the opposing team a quick and easy transition. Often times the flow or momentum of a game can swing one way or another depending on how many turnovers there are at the offensive blue-line. Many odd-man rushes are given up due to this turnover as well.

Defensive Side

Always play and battle for loose pucks on the defensive side of the puck. Think defensive positioning first. Always play defense inside out and force opponent to attack the perimeter and shoot from a bad angle. Don’t over skate the puck or your man hoping for an offensive break, think defense (team) first. Play the body first; don’t get caught fishing for a puck. Don’t turn your back on the play.

Outnumber Your Opposition/ Support

When the Detroit Red Wings won a few Stanley Cups a few years back they had great players, some of the best. Although there players were good, I would argue that this was not the reason they won. They won by the simple fact that playing 5 on 5 hockey they seemed to have more players on the ice than other teams? In every area of the rink they outnumbered other teams by creating support for each other. Work hard to get to a position where you can support a teammate. .

Hold Ups

Has anybody ever played a team that just seems to be in your way all the time. It is very hard to generate offense on this type of team. Lets be this type of team. Learn the legal way to hold up forecheckers and become a team that nobody wants to play against. Every player on the ice has the right to skate to an open space. Let’s get tough to play against!

Penalty Kill

Block shots, inside out, tight box or diamond. Communication is a key. Offside forward drop down for support in the slot. Clear the puck as if your life relied upon getting it out of the zone. Force the offensive player if he has his back turned, bobbles the puck, or takes the puck hard of the boards. Play with courage and heart, the PK is a crucial element of a good hockey team. 

Guidelines

Focus on the opponents body; stick on stick on the ice; stick in passing lanes; angle offensive players; lift opponents stick in front of your net, always look to block out or holdup forecheckers; be aware of whole ice surface; backcheck hard and look to pick up a man; play on the defensive side of the puck.

OFFENSIVE CONCEPTS

Offensive Attacks

Follow the basic principles. Enter the zone with speed and support. Have someone drive the net taking a defenseman out of the play and screening the goaltender. Shoot the puck with your feet moving and follow up for a rebound. Communicate with teammates and have one player stay in the high slot for offensive support along with defensive safety. Work harder than the other team. Get to loose pucks faster and be determined to win loose puck battles.

Puck Protection

Too many players at all levels work so hard to get the puck and then turn around and throw it away. Puck protection can turn an average skilled player into an offensive threat. If you don’t have a play in the offensive zone keep the puck and use your body to protect it from the defenders. This will by time for a teammate to support you or you may draw a penalty. Players should practice puck protection while rolling off a defender going to the net.

Cycling

Teams that can effectively cycle and have good puck protection skills will wear down defenses during the course of a game. It is very hard for the defensive coverage to maintain good positioning against a team that cycles well out of the corners and behind the net. Players should work on their on ice communication skills while doing cycling drills in practice. Remember any player is entitled to open space on the ice so have your team throw in legal picks while cycling as well.

Support

To often players are left alone in the offensive zone to battle for loose pucks or take defenders on 1 v.1. Offensive players should react and anticipate support options quickly. Use give and goes all over the ice, react and move to an open space.

Finish Checks

Finishing checks in all areas of the ice surface wears down the opposition. When a team finishes all their checks it makes them a very difficult team to play against and more importantly a very difficult team to beat! Don’t waste energy by going out of the way to finish a check, just do your job.

Drive Net

A great percentage of goals that are scored in the game of hockey are in front of the net. If you want to score goals, go to the net, be around the net, own the area in front of the net. On an offensive line rush have someone always going to the net with their stick on the ice.

Forecheck Angling

Become a smart forchecker by reading each situation and angling your opposition. Take away offensive options and force players where you want them to go. If pressure can be created have 2 men go into the forcheck hard with the third forward staying high in the slot. If you can’t get pressure have one player force the offense one way or another. The wingers should stay in their lanes in a supportive position.

Power Play

Have someone in front of the net for a screen. Move the puck quickly and always have someone go to the net. Allows out number your opponent in all areas of the ice. Attack the offensive zone with speed. Finish checks. Know your position on the break out.

Guidelines

Finish checks it wears down the other team and creates turnovers; look to shoot the puck and follow your shot for a rebound; go to the net; win loose puck battles; enter the zone with speed; screen the goalie; protect the puck don’t throw it away; forecheck with an angle don’t let them change the side of the ice the play is going to; don’t try and get to fancy; have confidence at all times, nobody deserves the puck more than you! Want the puck with desire!!