Quote:
Originally Posted by pure.life
some advice...
It is OK for players in the offensive zone to take a second or two to observe the options they have before making a play. Often, I see players not noticing the amount of time they have before making a play and causes a turnover. Take that extra second in the O to see which of your teammates are available. I have been learning to do this the past few days and it has worked magic.. just ask Mini.Kangaroo =P
Neutral Zone - Never pass unless you think the pass is 90% reachable to your teammate. Often times, neutral zone turnovers leads to goals against. If you have no options, dump it in. Let the opponents work their way up.
Defense - SUPPORT! Always support your D. In the past few games, I have been going near the slot area and the boards to support jmac when he is beneath the goal line jostling for the puck. Give your D's an option so you can go for a breakout. Never have 3 forwards go on a breakout without anyone in the middle to support the D
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Werd. I second that motion.
In fact, when the D is in the corner below the goal line retrieving the puck, the other D man should be on the other side of the net to anticipate a pass behind the net.
The near boards winger should be halfway up the boards anticipating the pass.
The C should be in the slot waiting for an errant pass up the middle (note, shouldn't pass up the middle anyways).
And the far winger would be up the half-boards on the far side.
In the above scenario, my preference is usually to pass up the near boards to the near side winger; then, second, is to the defence on the other side of the net behind the net; third, to ring it around the boards to the far side winger; and last choice is to the C in the slot.
Note that all five players are still in the D zone and are not breaking out yet. I've played D and there has been a few times where I'm left with few passing choices because everyone has already left the zone and I'm under a bunch of pressure from opposing forecheckers. That situation actually led to a turnover and a goal against. =(.
I also agree that we should minimize passes in the neutral zone unless you've got a 100% clear lane. Either dump it in and we'll chase it or take it in yourself. Either way, just don't give it up in the neutral zone.