PUCK ACQUISITION
(Dec 6, 2020)
Success Factor 1: Distance
· In general, the shorter the pass, the easier it is to complete.
· Avoid skating two zones away from the puck carrier
· Avoid getting so close that you can take a handoff from your teammate.
Success Factor 2: Pass Angles:
· The more horizontal the pass (east/west), rather than vertical (north/south), the easier it is to complete.
· Avoid skating up the ice with your back to the play.
· Often that means using transitions/pivots to open up to the puck carrier.
Success Factors 3: Consistent Routes:
Having consistent, quality routes is often what separates good from great.
· Taking back the ice - Skating temporarily away from the play allows players to properly time the play they are skating into.
· Going horizontal to go vertical - across the rink allows for the rolling of speed into the play.
· Folding Under - moving behind the player with the puck in order to create an easy, clean passing lane.
· Speed behind the puck - The first offensive players up the ice create the initial gap with the defense (very tight and little room to create) as the opposing team’s defense is forced back. When players come from behind that initial gap, there is greater space available. That space allows players to build a speed differential and have more room to create when they do receive the puck.
DIFFERENT PASSES FOR DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
(Dec 24, 2020)
Saucer passes are high-risk plays.
Each game situation calls for a different pass and there are a variety of passes that accomplish the same thing. With each type of pass, there is a corresponding risk/reward profile. Players are responsible for picking the best pass type for the given situation.
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