Hockey Coaching Strategies

Ice hockey is a fast-paced sport in which momentum can change at a moment’s notice. While to the untrained eye, it might seem teams play a more free-flowing style, many different strategies are available for hockey teams to employ. These offensive and defensive strategies are meant to help teams play as a cohesive unit and employ teamwork. Different aspects of hockey are involved with each of these strategies, and players should work to understand all the strategies used by their teams.

  1. Offensive Strategies

    • Effective shooting and passing are the main points for any offensive unit. Players are taught to always make the pass to the open player. Taking shots also is important. Goalies are trained to block the majority of shots sent their way, but it’s the offense's strategy to try to catch the puck on a rebound for a second shot. An offensive player usually should be in one of two positions: where he can see the goal directly or he can see his teammate with the puck. Providing support is a key strategy for offensive players as well. Players should place themselves in position to assist their teammates, rebound shots and pick up the puck if it becomes loose.

    Defensive Strategies

    • Hockey occurs at such a fast pace, players must stay alert at all times when playing defense. A simple deflection can send the puck into the back of the net without anyone having a chance to stop it. Most teams play with two defenders and a goalie. The simple defensive strategy for that unit is for the two defenders to attempt to intercept and deflect all offensive pass attempts. The goalie deals with all shot attempts. Defenders are taught to only block shots when it’s certain they can block the shot without a deflection. Defenders should stick to their side of the ice in most situations. Constant communication is key among all defensive players on the ice.

    Play Situations

    • Many types of plays in ice hockey help teams stay within these basic strategies. For example, the dump-and-chase is an offensive play in which a player sends the puck out of the neutral zone and into the opposing team's defensive zone before skating after it. Offensive players can then set up their positions to look for the best passing or shooting options. Zone defense is a basic hockey defense in which players are assigned to cover a specific section of their team’s area. If the puck enters her portion of the ice, a player is responsible for applying defensive pressure and retrieving the puck. This does not mean teammates can't help, but they can be required to cover the offensive players on the ice to prevent any wide open shots.