Print this page

Offense Offense is the act of controlling the puck with the intention of shooting on goal and scoring.   Your Athlete Can: Never Sometimes Often Identify the opponent's goal Identify the offensive position Track a moving puck Stick handle / control puck Pass the puck accurately Receive various passes from teammates Move to an open area on the court to receive a pass Communicate with teammates Protect the puck from the defense Shoot on opposing goal           Teaching the Skill In order to control the puck, the three forwards, from the same team, need to use teamwork. Since everyone is constantly moving, they need to be aware of where each of them is on the court and where the opposing athletes are located. Walking the areas of the court with each athlete should be the first thing you teach. While athletes are doing the drills, keep reminding them to "stay in their lanes." The wings should cover 1/2 of the court each, so that between them, they cover the entire court. The center will have his or her "lane" down the middle.     Break the passing combinations into individual components. After athletes learn one segment, add another until the athletes learn the entire sequence. If necessary, physically assist athlete through the sequence. After awhile, point or tell the athlete which direction to go. If the passing combination involves several choices based on the previous segment, review those choices with the athlete just before starting the passing combination. Placing cones at the various spots where the athletes will go helps the athletes locate them. Start with the easier passing combinations and progress to the harder ones according to each athlete's ability level. These passing combinations are to simulate game passing combinations. During controlled game situations, assist the athletes through some of theses passing combinations.   Teaching Points Maintaining proper position on offense is important in setting up various offensive plays. Each athlete should know where to be and what to do at any time. Teammates should know where to pass and where to find each other. This makes order out of otherwise random play.   The right wing stays on the right side of the court. When the team gets control of the puck on their half of the court, the right wing should be at the right side of center circle to receive a possible outlet pass. Once the puck has been passed down court, the right wing goes to the right offensive corner. In this position the right wing may pass and receive passes from the left wing (behind the goal), the center (in front of the goal), or the defensemen (near center circle). From the right side of the goal, the right wing can also shoot and retrieve missed shots. The left wing does exactly the same, but on the left side of the court.   Once the puck has been passed down court, the center goes to the area in front of the goal. In this position the center may pass and receive passes from the wings (either offensive corner) or the defensemen (near center circle). The center is the primary athlete to shoot, screen, deflect and retrieve missed shots.   The right defenseman stays on the right side of the court. When the team gets control of the puck, the right defenseman may make the outlet pass to the right wing. Once the puck has been passed down court, the right defenseman may go up to the right point (near center circle on right side). In this position the center may pass and receive passes from the wing (either offensive corner), the center (in front of goal) or the left defenseman (left point). The right defenseman can also shoot from the right front of goal) However, the right defenseman is always ready to move back to defense as soon as the puck is in possession. The left defenseman does exactly the same, but on the left side of the court.   If the defensemen are not capable or ready to play point on offense, leave defensemen in defensive positions in front of their own goal. There is no rule requiring athletes to maintain these positions, as they can go anywhere on the court except in the goal crease area. However, the athletes should maintain these positions whenever possible, as: a) if every athlete is running over the entire court, they will not have enough stamina to finish a game at the same level that they started with; b) the closer the athletes are to each other, the less chance they have to pass to a teammate in a more open area of the court and c) if the opposing team manages to take the puck, they have a greater likelihood of scoring from that unprotected area on the court.   One skill you will need to teach all of your athletes is how to avoid having the puck taken from them by "spinning" away from their attacker. Spinning is rotating the body away from the opponent by pivoting on one foot and keeping the back toward the opponent. Teach athletes to keep themselves between the puck and the opposing athlete.   The area behind the goal is very useful in setting up various offensive passing combinations. When passing or stick handling behind the opponent's goal, an opening may be found in the opponent's defense. When passing or stick handling behind the athlete's own goal, the puck is relatively safe and the athlete can set up an offensive play. In many drills it is useful to add a chase defender who follows the traveled path of the puck and tries to take it away from the offense. A time limit can be set to force the offense to complete the passing combination in a timely manner.   Key Words "Spread out" "Watch the puck" "Shoot" "Follow the shot" "Communicate" "Protect the puck" "Keep your position" "Move" "He/she is open" "Pass the puck"   Coaching Tips Once your athletes understand the importance of staying in position, you can teach them how to cover the entire court while switching positions. Athletes can tell teammates verbally that they are switching positions, or teammates adjust to playing different positions as the play occurs. Two athletes in the same position on the court indicate that one position in not covered and should be filled by one of those athletes. Switching can be very effective in setting up an offensive play because the defense won't always know whom to cover. By switching positions, an athlete may be able to find and utilize an open space.   Faults & Fixes   Common Mistakes Correction Drill Reference Athlete is out of position Teach correct positioning on court Three on Two Drill Athletes are standing too close to teammates Teach athletes to spread out on court Offense vs. Defense Drill Athlete is standing still Teach athlete to move with and without the puck Pass Around the Goal Drill Athlete does not wait for opening to make a shot Teach athlete to pass to another teammate who has a better shot Pass Around the Goal Drill Athlete refuses to pass the puck Teach athlete to pass the puck Give and Go Drill Athlete shoots at the wrong goal Teach athlete to recognize the opponent's goal Offense vs. Defense Drill Athlete runs in the wrong direction Ask athlete to identify the opponent's goal Offense vs. Defense Drill

Prev Page Next Page