John Russo
Puckhandling (part 4)
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
By John Russo Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Teaching Dekes/Moves
In the last column, we finished the teaching segment on basic stickhandling. Now it’s time to move on to teaching the basic “moves” (power escape, single fake, drop and slip across, drop and slip through) described in Part 3.
Some drills that can be used to exercise the moves are outlined below. It is a good idea to have the players execute the moves once or twice while more or less stationary at the front of the line before taking off down the ice. This just gives some extra practice. It is also a good idea to have a feet moving shot at the end, at least in one direction. Don’t over coach. Just help and let the players figure it out to some degree
•Drill #8: Form two or three lines, going lengthwise; one coach at far blue line for each line. Demonstrate well and monitor players for corrections. Stress going slowly until technique is good. All starts from the line are quick off the mark power starts or starts from facing the opposite direction.
- Put one cone at each line (blue, red, blue) and have players do a power escape and single fake at each cone (3-4 times up ice for each move) at 50-70 percent speed.
- Speed up as players get good technique. Allow individual players to speed up if they master techniques before others.
- Put three cones (or pucks) at each line in the triangle formation representing two feet and a stick and have players do drag and slip moves (3-4 times up ice for each move) at 50-70 percent speed. Coaches can take the place of one set of cones in each line.
• Speed up as technique improves. Watch body position and stress a long stretch with the drag portion of the move.
•Drill #9: Form two or three lines, going lengthwise. Vary how players are facing and what they do before taking off. For example, it could be stationary practice for one move even though another move is being exercised as they do down the ice.
- Have coaches and teammates at each line (blue, red, blue) instead of cones. No resistance, just standing with stick out front. Do all of the first four moves 3-4 times up ice each at a comfortable speed. Rotate players at lines.
- Increase speed.
- Have players at lines provide a little bit of resistance.
• Drill #10: Form two or three lines, going lengthwise. Players now are in pairs, one acting as attacking forward, one as defenseman. The defenseman starts 10-15 feet out from the attacker.
- The forward attacks the defenseman partner (going backwards) so a move can be made at about the first blue line. The defenseman is passive and just skates backwards with stick out. Place a coach or cone at the far blue line so the attacker can practice the move a second time while going down the ice. When going the opposite way, the pairs change roles – and cones are removed.
- The defenseman partner puts up resistance but no body contact allowed. The attacker can use any move as long as all moves are practiced over a period of time. Cone at second blue line. Change roles in other direction.
• Drill #11:
Form two or three lines, lengthwise. Players in pairs, one F and D.
- Forward attacks D partner with a preselected move (selected by coach); after making the move, the F throws the puck to the D (at about the red line) and roles are reversed with a second attack at the other half of the ice.
We have now progressed to actual moving attacks at resisting defensemen and have four moves in the “arsenal.”
For young teams, the progression to this point may have extended over many weeks or even half a season. For older teams, it could have happened over just a few practices. The basics cannot be skipped at any level.
The Next Five “Moves”
5. Fake shot, then shoot
This move is one that is done to get the goaltender to stop moving across the crease so more open net can be found for a shot. It must be done all in one motion. The player needs to be in the right position to attempt it.
The player comes across or diagonally in the offensive zone (in front of the defensemen) on the forehand. The player then fakes a wrist shot, catches it, pulls it back and takes a wrist shot – all in one motion. As the action (fake, pullback, shot) is taking place, the player is still moving laterally across the zone, making it hard for the goaltender to cover the net.
The best alternative for the actual shot may be “behind” the goaltender (where he is moving from) since it will be hard to stop momentum and reach back.
Players must practice this move slowly, then speed up as they get the rhythm – front fake, pull back. This is a great skill when going into the offensive zone without support.
6. Fake slap shot and go around
This is a great move when coming in on a defenseman and can also be used by defensemen from the point. It is simply a fake slap shot, then go around on the forehand side.
It is critical that the fake shot is good and the push of the puck after the downstroke (or the fake) is at 90 degrees to the motion of the fake shot (is toward the boards) with a strong push from the inside foot to start the “go around” motion. The fake will freeze the defenseman and allow a little time to go around the outside.
7. Turn out
This is simply a quick 360-degree turn towards the boards when coming into the zone and cut off from attacking further. This is a famous Wayne Gretsky move now used by many forwards.
It allows teammates to catch up and makes a little room for creating a new play. It is done when still in front of the defenseman.
8. Double fake
This is the partner to the single fake. It is a stick fake – moving the puck one way, then the other, then back to the original side.
This is a dynamite move that will beat defensemen and goaltenders if mastered well. Once a good single as well as double fake is developed both ways, opposition D’s and goaltenders will not know which way a player is going.
9. 360-degree reverse
This is not the same as the “turn out” because the intent of this move (the 360) is to get the defenseman to start to turn (to the outside) as the players start to go by, then hit the brakes and quickly come back on a backhand reverse behind the D – and drive to the net.
After the state tournament, I’ll get back to one more part of the series to wrap it up.
John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and director of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. He was a captain at the University of Wisconsin, and his Coaches’ Corner columns have appeared in LPH since 1986.
Puckhandling (part 3)
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
By John Russo
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Teaching stickhandling (more advanced) I’m sure you enjoyed the Guest Writer the past three weeks. Last time (back in January), we outlined drills that were more or less stationary. Now it is time to start skating while moving the puck. The next drill is simple, but many high school level players cannot get the full length of the ice with puck under control. Don’t ignore this drill at the older levels. • Drill #4: Three lines, starting at one end, the drill will go lengthwise. Always demonstrate. Progression: - Have the players carry the puck straight up the ice, from one end to the other. Concentrate on maximum speed (including a good start) while controlling the puck. Start out with two hands on the stick, then after 4-6 strides go to one hand on the stick pushing it out front, then back to two hands the last 30 feet. As an alternate, use two lines only, two goals at each end with shots at the end, with feet moving. - Have players start out sliding back and forth (3-4 times) while alternating as in Drill #3 before starting down the ice. - Have players do three crossovers left, three right, three left, etc., down the ice while controlling puck. Two hands on the stick at all times. As an alternate, shoot at the end with feet moving. - Have players start out sliding back and forth while alternating, then fast start with two hands, then to one hand straight ahead, then at red line start crossovers, three left then three right. As an alternate, with feet moving shots at the end. - Mix various moves as in the last option. The next drill sequence brings in alternating while moving, the precursor to dekes. • Drill #5: Three lines, starting at one end. The drills will go lengthwise. Start out at controlled speed (60-70 percent). Do the alternating moves while sliding (three times) before taking off. Also always stress a strong and quick start, 4-6 strides, then start alternating. Form lines again at other end. Do four repetitions (down back twice). Progression: - Two hands short stroke alternating, front. - Two hands wide alternating, front - Two hands (forehand) to one hand (backhand) side alternating, front - Two hands diagonal alternating (forehand side) - Two hands side alternating - Two hands front or diagonal alternating, then side alternating last 30 feet - Mix various options plus add shots at the end. The next two drills concentrate on shooting with feet moving. Few young players can get a good shot off with their feet moving because they don’t learn the skill. Goaltenders have a much more difficult time defending against feet moving shots because they can’t as easily prepare for them. The first step is to learn the rhythm of the feet and the stick. To shoot while going straight ahead, create a rhythm with side alternating – while crossing over, create a rhythm with diagonal alternating. • Drill #6: Three lines at one end, going lengthwise. Demonstrate well. Progression: - Go 40-60 percent speed around the circle, getting rhythm of diagonal alternating in sync with skating stride. The power foot again should be pushing off as the stick starts its forward motion. - Speed up as players get comfortable - Do up-ice options of puckhandling, switching to side alternating and a shot in the last 30 feet. • Drill 7: Break team into as many groups as there are coaches – each group on a circle. Each group shooting the same way (all lefts or rights). Progression: - Go 40-60 percent speed around the circle, getting rhythm of diagonal alternating in sync with skating stride. The power foot again should be pushing off as stick starts forward motion. - Have players take turns (one at a time) doing one rotation of circle, then shooting on the net (60-70 percent speed). - Do above, one at a time at 100 percent. Of course, the goaltenders should not be ignored while these drills go on. When shots are involved, they can handle the shots. Otherwise, they should be working on their own puckhandling and shooting skills (trapping puck behind the net, passing to D in corner, shooting). A good high school goaltender should be able to hit the glass at about the top of the circle from the goal crease. • Dekes/”Moves” The next part of puckhandling involves teaching players dekes/”moves.” The process of most dekes has a segment in it that is called “shuffling.” This shuffling is simply short strides with both feet on the ice and may include pushing with one foot and then the other – 2-3 pushes from one foot, then the other. This is necessary because it is not always possible to move the puck properly or to “drag” the puck with feet striding in a normal fashion. Consequently, the deking process generally is a process of: skating with the puck to the defender, shuffling while alternating the puck, making the move (single fake, drag and slip, etc.), skating by the defender while protecting the puck (escaping by), then shooting in stride (or making a move on a goaltender or passing the puck). So it’s skate, shuffle and alternate, make the move, skate around to escape. It will be worthwhile to have players practice the shuffling move up and down the ice a few times during basic skill drills. We are now ready to move on to the next five moves. There are nine basic “moves” that I believe should be worked on by youth players. Not all nine will necessarily be mastered by all players but can be by the high school level with concentrated work. It is important that the players try to master several very well so that they feel very confident in using them whenever the opportunity presents itself. The first step, of course, is to master the skills that we have outlined in parts 1-3 of this series. The second step is to take the “moves” one at a time and work on them over a period of time with a series of drills. It is critical that the moves each be demonstrated very well so that players can see them from several angles. It is also important that players do the moves slowly for the proper execution and against little opposition, and then increase the speed and resistance. Half speed against cones is plenty to start out. The easier moves can quickly be progressed up to fast speed one-on-one. It is also good to teach 2-3 basic moves at (relatively) the same time so that alternatives exist when the drills progress to the one-on-one stage. If you, as a coach, do not have the skills to properly demonstrate the moves, bring someone in to assist you. The following is a description of the first four moves in more or less chronological order for teaching. - Power escape/drive to net This is simply a change of pace. The player slows down some when approaching a defenseman, then after a little inside head or shoulder feint, turns on the speed to burst around either the forehand or backhand side. It is important to be able to move the puck outside and carry it with one hand so as to protect it and use the other arm stuck out to keep the defenseman at bay. We will go through a basic puck protection drill later. - Single fake This is the easiest of the stick moves but depends on the fast stick that we worked on earlier. It is a stick fake – moving the puck one way, then pulling it back the other way. It should be worked on either way. A good fake is important because it sets up the move the other way by freezing the opponent briefly. Again, puck protection when going around is important. - Drag and slip through/Drag and slip across These next two moves (drag and slip) are best introduced by first demonstrating the spaces created by the triangle formed by a defenseman’s two skates and the blade of the stick out front. The two areas to be attacked are underneath the stick but in front of the skates (slip across) and between the legs (slip through). The first portion of the move (the drag) involves reaching the puck out to one side (in front of the defenseman while leaning the body the other way). If the defenseman leans toward the puck, then a quick “slip” across or through provides access around the defender. The reach must be very wide and slip very quick. For the slip through, players should try to get the defensemen to turn slightly toward the where the puck is. John Russo, Ph.D., is founder and director of the Upper Midwest High School Elite League. He was a captain at the University of Wisconsin, and his Coaches’ Corner columns have appeared in LPH since 1986.
Coaching the elements of puck protection
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
This week’s guest writer is Ted Belisle, assistant coach at Bemidji State University. Ted played at BSU from 1997-2001 (captain in 2001) then worked in the USHL for two years before joining his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2007. He is also the BSU recruiting coordinator.
By Ted Belisle Bemidji State University
During the Edmonton Oilers’ 2006 run to the Stanley Cup, a question was posed to then-head coach Craig McTavish about his definition of the perfect player. His answer was, “My definition of the perfect player is one whom the play never dies with….” His answer made so much sense to me and is a great mindset leading into the topic of teaching puck protection.
When I watch youth and high school players doing puck protection drills during practice, the most popular drill I see is a player with the puck standing on a faceoff dot, fending off an opposing player by standing still. While the drill does allow a player to learn how to fend off a defender, it ignores the single most important element of puck protection – creating time and space! There are more elements of puck protection that a player must understand in order to become one of those players “whom the play never dies with.”
To teach puck protection properly, we must understand the main reason as to why we protect the puck! A player protects the puck to create enough time and space from the defender in order to make the next play. In order to create time and space, I believe that there are five elements of puck protection that enable a player to become a very good puck protector.
1. Teaching the “puck safe zone”
The first element that must be taught is recognition of the “puck safe zone.” My definition of the puck safe zone is: any area in which the defender cannot reach the puck!
A great puck protector always understands that the odds of losing possession of the puck increase substantially when the puck is fronted or exposed to the reach of the defender’s stick.
The “puck safe zone” changes constantly, depending on body position, reach of the defender and placement of the puck. Being able to handle the puck quickly into the safe zone (away from the defender’s reach) will help maintain puck possession and the ability to make the next play.
A phrase I use a lot to our players is, “Don’t front the puck.” When a player fronts the puck, they are immediately exposing themselves and are at greater risk of losing possession of the puck within the reach of the defender.
2. How to create a body shield
With the days of “hitting and pinning” behind us, the puck carrier has more ability to maintain a safe zone that creates more possession time. The most efficient way to create a safe zone is to create a “body shield” between you and the defender.
Creating the “body shield” is quite simply putting your body between the defender and the puck. The easiest way to create a body shield is to pivot your backside into the defender. This will prevent the defender from being able to enter the player’s safe zone. The puck possessor has now created separation from the defender and should be able to keep their head up and look for the next play.
3. Fending off the defender
After creating a “puck safe zone” with a “body shield,” we must be able to prevent the defender from gaining access to the “puck safe zone.” The puck carrier must learn the element of how to fend off a defender’s attempt to gain possession of our puck.
The puck protector can fend off a defender by using their body to prevent access of the defenders stick into the “puck safe zone.” Focus on teaching the player how to use their own arms and legs to fend off advances by the defender. It is important to create this habit in a player for successful puck protection.
In order for the puck protector to successfully use arms and legs to fend of defenders, it is very important to teach players the skill of handling the puck with one hand. As coaches, we must incorporate drills in which a player handles the puck while using only their top hand or bottom hand.
4. Leveraging the wall
There are times when defenders still find a way to get an opposing player pinned or pinched along the boards. To develop an excellent puck protector, we must teach them how to use the wall (boards) to their advantage. We do this by using the wall as leverage.
The best way to use the wall as leverage is by using both of your hands to push off the wall. This is very much like a push-up or a bench press motion. While we push away from the wall we must also simultaneously push our backside into the defender to create more time and space from the wall to make the next play. By leveraging the wall, we can create enough time and space along the wall to make the next play and keep possession of the puck.
5. Cut-backs:
I believe the “cut-back” is the most important element of puck protection we can teach. The “cut-back” incorporates using legs and speed to help create more time and space in order to make the next play. The use of “cut-backs” enables the puck protector to create ice behind them to escape into by turning away from the defender while not fronting the puck. “Cut-backs” use misdirection by quickly utilizing a “C” cut in the ice to change direction away from the defender to create more time and space.
To successfully use the “cut-back,” we must teach the proper elements. The puck carrier must use deception in order to get the opposing player committed to defending a certain area. I call this “selling the cutback.”
We must bait the defender into thinking we are attacking the ice in a certain direction. We accomplish this by “staying busy” and attacking an area while keeping the puck in the safe zone, using our body as a shield and fending off the defender’s advances. By attacking a certain area, we are forcing the defender to protect the area that we are skating into. As such, we have sold the defender on protecting that area.
When the defender commits to that area, we have created ice behind us to cut-back into. When the puck protector decides to cut-back, it is very important to teach them to stay busy and attack the other direction.
While attacking the other direction, they have created enough time and space to make the next play while continuing to use the other elements to maintain the possession of the puck. A player can use many “cut-backs” in a single possession of the puck until the next play is available.
The best way to teach these habits is by using resistance drills with space to roam. Allow your players to use these habits all together while moving their feet, thus creating more time and space.
You can use one-on-one drills, but some of the best ways to teach puck possession is by creating outnumbered situations. For example have a 1vs2 drill in a corner or a 2vs3 drill low, in which there are more defenders than puck protectors. These drills isolate the emphasis on puck protection and force the puck carrier to have tough odds in maintaining possession of the puck.
Breaking out of the defensive zone
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 23:31
This week’s guest writer is the third Bemidji State coach, Bert Gilling. Bert played his college hockey at Minnesota Duluth in the late 1990s, captaining the 1998-99 team — and being named male scholar athlete of the year. He is in his 11th year of coaching, ninth at BSU where he handles the defensemen and is also the director of BSU strength/conditioning and academic oversight.
By Bert Gilling Bemidji State University
Backchecking and back pressure
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Each year for 25 years, I have asked an outstanding coach or coaches to provide a different view of some aspect of our game.
This year, the guest writers are members of the Bemidji State University coaching staff (Tom Serratore, Ted Belisle and Bert Gilling). Tom played at Mankato State and Bemidji State in the 1980s, then coached Henry Sibley to a third-place finish in the Minnesota State High School Tournament in the early 1990s. He was an assistant at St. Cloud State for four years and has been the head coach at BSU for 10 years where he has guided the Beavers to four NCAA appearances, including a Frozen Four in 2009. He has been a six-time nominee for the NCAA Division I Coach of the Year. - John Russo, Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
By Guest Writer: Tom Serratore Bemidji State University
