To Pinch or Not To Pinch.

If you are playing defense, learn these hockey tips and become the most reliable defense man on ice. Every defense man experienced that dragging feeling, followed by a split second of indecision. Should I commit? Is it the right time to pinch? What if I am too late? If you are one of those guys and are not sure whether to pinch or not to pinch, keep reading. In this article, I'll give you a few tips on becoming a more consistent defense man. Remember them the next time you hit the ice and your teammates will thank you for that.

 

Pinching, if you don't know what it is, is actually quite simple. Basically, it's rushing forward off the opponents blue line when your team is in their zone. Sounds simple, right? The question you should ask yourself: when is the right time for this? If your timing is right - it gives your team an immediate advantage and you keep possession of the puck in the other team's zone. If the timing is wrong - your opponent can easily have two and sometimes three on one rush back to you your own end. Players often think that pinching is like throwing a dice, sometimes you get what you want, sometimes - not. It should not be like this.

 

When to pinch.

It is impossible to teach every game situation. With experience you will be able to read the game much better, and it will become a more intuitive decision. But for now, keep in mind those four simple "rules" and do pinch when the opportunity presents itself.

 

1) Where is the puck? The guy you are pinching towards does not have the puck yet or does not have full control of the puck. You have to make sure to get to him faster than he can establish puck control and either make a pass or flick the puck against the boards. If you can take away time and space from the guy by pinching - do it.

2) Your partner. The longer you play with your partner - the easier it becomes. There is nothing else that can boost your confidence than the trust you develop with your defense partner. You can take a bit of a risk here and there knowing that he is going to cover you. Talk to him before and after the game, discuss game situations and how you can help each other on the ice. Ask him to cover the middle of the ice when you decide to pinch. Communication in this case makes it perfect. Develop trust in each other, and you no longer will be double guessing yourself.

3) Your line and the opponent's team line. It is no secret that starting probably from pee wee age group every team has first, second and a third line. When as a defense man you are playing with the 1st line you can pinch with more confidence than playing with the 3rd line. Who is on the ice for the other team also matters. You should be a bit more cautious and defensively-minded playing against their top line, and you could take more risk competing against their third line.

4) The Score. Everything else being the same, depending on a score you should either hold back or pinch. Do not pinch if there is a tie or you are leading by a goal or even two goals. Your main responsibility here is to defend and shut the other team down. Your game is expected to be more conservative. Mistakes in one, or two goal games are very costly, so defend first, attack - second. However, if your team is loosing by a pair of goals, pinch, when the opportunity is there. It might be exactly what you team needs to get back in the game.

 

When Not to Pinch.

Stick to the following "rules" and do not pinch when:

1) Your partner is not a reliable defense man. I know you should always be confident in your teammates, but the truth is you will be playing with both stronger and weaker defense partners.You have to use your best judgment here.

2) Your teammates, especially your wingers are out of position. Do not pinch if there is no chance for them to cover you.

3) Your team is losing by one, it's a tie, or your team is winning by one or two. In those game situations you have to hold back and shut the other team down. The exception: When it is late in the game and your team is loosing by one.

4) You are playing against a really fast winger. Be more cautious here or you can get burned.

 

How to pinch.

 

One of the most important hockey tips here. While pinching - do not hesitate. You have to commit everything you have and not second guess yourself. You must accomplish one of two goals:

1) take the puck

2) take the player. It is an absolute key to being a successful and reliable pinching defense man.

Your task is to keep the puck in the other team's zone and create an advantage for your team.

Article Source:

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Keeping The Puck to the Outside on Defense.

When you are playing defense in hockey you always have to stop the other team from getting scoring opportunities. You cannot allow the other team a chance to put the puck in the net. The best way to do this is to keep the puck to the outside. Here are some of the things that you need to do to keep the puck to the outside when you are playing hockey.

The first thing that you need to have is a strong presence in the middle. Having a strong presence is not just about how many players are playing in the middle of the ice, it is also about how good the players in the middle of the ice are. They have to be able to put pressure on the other team and force them to make a mistake. Force the other team to play along the boards and you will not be scored on.

Another thing that you have to have from your players is an understanding of the system that you want to use. If your players do not understand what their jobs are then they are useless. This is something that you will have to work on in practice.

Here are some other things that are necessary when you are trying to keep the puck to the outside of the zone.

1) A system

2) Ability to stop passes from going through the middle

3) Cutting down of shooting angles

4) Knowledge of who the threats on the other team are

As long as you focus on these four things that are talked about in this article then your team will be great. Make sure that your drills reflect these tips and that you have a strategy that is well understood.

If you have any questions about possible hockey strategies that you can use then you should take a look at the defensive strategies [http://www.tipsforhockey.com/Strategy%20Sections/Defensive-Hockey-Strategy.htm].

The Meaning of Teamwork.

What is the meaning of teamwork? A team is a group of individuals striving to achieve a common goal and hold themselves accountable for the outcome. Teamwork is very important when it comes to youth sports because it prepares them to participate in teamwork on the job and in daily life. Teamwork can either break or make a team successful, not only in winning but in losing by teaching that it takes everybody to work together. Like in football if you don't have a front line that holds the other team back the quarterback, halfback, and fullback wouldn't be able to break through the line and go for a touchdown. The line is just as important as the players that are making the touchdowns. Fans seem to also praise the ones that are making the great plays but are forgetting that other players were involved in the making of that play.

If a team can't play cohesively together it seems like they struggle to achieve the common goal. You can have a lot of great players but if they play as individuals in a game the team will have a hard time achieving their primary goal and will ultimately fail. Just remember that to make a great team you have to have teamwork because there is no I in team and that everybody contribute to the team no matter what skill level they possess. Just because you’re not the strongest and most gifted player you are just as important as they are because you provide support for them. Remember you win or lose as a team.

Ice Hockey Offense Strategy- Part Two

This post is going to help the offensive player read the goalie and make more productive shots on the net. Fingering out the goalie is important in making your shots go in so here are some helpful tips.

If the he/she stays deep in the crease shot whenever you have an open shoot. If he/she challenges you try to get around them. If he/she gives out high rebounds shot low and hard. If his/her hands are back, shoot for the high corners. If he/she goes down early get him/her to go down by faking then shot at blocker side high. If he/she has a high stance go for the five hole. If he/she putshis/her paddle down on the ice allot go for high blocker or go around him/her. A goalie that drops on most shots is more vulnerable on giving up rebounds instead of high shots.

I hope these tips help you read the goalie and  make more goals.
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