The Ice Hockey Coach Newsletter

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Table of Contents

1. MUSINGS FROM THE BENCH

2. SYSTEM OF THE WEEK

   1. 1-2-2 Passive Trap Forecheck

3. DRILL OF THE WEEK

   1. 4 Dot: Angle Series

4. QUOTE OF THE WEEK

5. PERFORMANCE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

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MUSINGS FROM THE BENCH

Nerves and excitement are a normal experience during playoffs. One of the ways I use to prepare my players is openly discussing possible scenarios that might happen during the playoff push. 

Visualize and Evoke Emotion

Visualization gives our brain a chance to process how we want to react BEFORE the situation evolves during a game. 

I print out a list of scenarios and have the team read out each one, then discuss how they want to react as a team. 

Here are a few examples:

1. We are up by 3 goals at the end of the first period. 

2. The other team is up by 3 goals at the end of the first period. 

3. We outworked them and out-chanced them in the first, but we have nothing to show for it (and/or they got a soft one, and they are leading). 

4. “The refs suck” (this scenario is very very common and can derail your team and parents for this game and sometimes the entire series if you let it). 

5. We have a slow start, and they get a quick one. 

Flip the Script

Our brain has less of a stress response if it feels like it has experienced a situation and already has a plan on how to respond. 

I am always impressed on the bench at how quickly my players can verbalize the situation (and solution) calmly and optimistically. It’s a unifying moment that brings the team together instead of letting the situation pull them apart. 

You Can’t Prepare for Everything

There are a million scenarios, and you can’t prepare for them all, but I’ve found this simple activity tempers the anxiety that comes from the unexpected. 

Good luck to you and your athletes if you are in a playoff position! 

Rachel

SYSTEM OF THE WEEK

1-2-2 Passive Trap Forecheck

This forecheck is utilized when the opposing team is running a 5v5 set breakout. The key is to isolate the opposition to one side of the ice

1. All five players begin between the dot lines to protect the middle ice.

2. F1 waits for the opposition to begin their set breakout and then forces puck carrier to one side of the ice.

3. F1 must pressure puck carrier to make a pass.

4. F2 meets pass at wall or engages with opposition puck carrier.

5. Strong side D pressures from inside out to meet higher placed opposition player.

6. F3 covers middle ice.

7. Weak side D covers wide player and/or pass.

DRILL OF THE WEEK

4 Dot: Angle Series

This drill provides situations to work on angling (Surfing). Good drill to pair with NZ forechecking concepts.

1. SHORT SIDE ANGLE

2. X1 pass to X2, X2 skate up the wall

3. X1 take and angle into boards 

4. Once contact and pin is made, X1 release to go take a shot

5. LONG ANGLE

6. X2 Pass to X1 then passes to X3

7. X2 time angle cross ice into boards 

8. Once contact and pin is made, X2 release to go take a shot

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

PERFORMANCE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

Written by Rachel Vanderkruik, PhD, Jul 19, 2024 - 7 minute read