Girls Checking in Hockey.

Up to 1990 girls were allowed to check in hockey after that it was disallowed. The debate has been a hot topic in last few years about weather girls should be allowed to check. There are people who believe girls should not check because they would get hurt or that it would promote violence in girl’s hockey. There is speculation that if checking is allowed back in girl’s hockey that there would be fewer girls involved in hockey due to the increase of physical demand and the worry of injury.

Others believe that putting checking back in girl’s hockey would only benefit the program. One reason is that it would teach the girls to play with their heads up instead of down. Some girls have the tendency to play looking down, not up, in which case it causes more injuries because they're concentrating on the puck and not on where they are going or what is happening around them. This leads to them getting hurt from getting pinched up on the board and not being prepared for it. In boys hockey they are all always anticipating the next hit so they tend to skate with their head up and can prepare for the hit or can see were the next open player is at on the ice. Girls are two times more likely to suffer from a concussion than their male counterpart. Another reason for allowing checking into girl’s hockey according to some is that it would bring more excitement to the game; this would then bring in more spectators to the game.

I believe that girls should be allowed to check in hockey. If you don't think that there isn't hitting and shoving going on in girls hockey, then you are sorely wrong. Girls seem to know when the referees are not looking and get a cheap shot on each other. When they are going for a puck on the boards, the arms are moving and bodies are trying to separate the other player from the puck and it gets to be quite physical. There is hip checks going on and pinching against the board going on all the time. The reason I think checking should be allowed in girls hockey is because they will teach them to skate with their heads up and less injuries will occur because they are anticipating the next hit, they will see where they are going, who’s open, and who's coming after them. There would also be less hitting that is done on the sly, behind the officials back, and this will help in girls having fewer injuries also. The bottom line is that I think it would make for better players and would reduce the amount of injuries in girl’s hockey. Isn't that as parents of girls in hockey one of our major concerns? If not allowed to check girls at least should be taught how to check and to receive one properly. This is important in kid’s sports and my kid’s sports.

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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Positional Breakdown-The Canadians

This clip shows what area you are going to be covering and what can happen when a player doen't stay in his/her zone. Just remember there are times where you have to come out of your zone to help another player.

Ice Hockey Offense Tips and Tricks.

In ice hockey the offense's major job is to score goals. Their secondary job is to prevent goals. All forwards must work together to achieve their main and secondary objectives. Working together means communicating with each other and getting to know each other’s weaknesses and strengths. There are three forwards on the offensive line, a left winger, center, and a right winger. This allows for three lanes giving them what is called the triangle formation. The triangle formation allows them to pass the puck among themselves to get the goalie to move from one side to the other which will create an opening for a scoring opportunity.

The centers job is to score goals and help his/her wingers when they get tied up. The center is a forward whose other primary job is to play the middle of the ice, but they are also expected to cover more ice than any other player. They are typically the fastest skater on the team. In the offensive zone the center usually positions them in front or behind the net. If the defense or a high wing has the puck in a scoring position the center wants to be in front of the net trying to distract the goalie so the their teammates can score. They also have the opportunity to tip the puck in or be there for a rebound. Centers just need to remember to stay out of the crease unless the puck goes in first otherwise this result in a penalty. In the offense zone the center also has to go behind the net when his/her winger is tied up along the boards. This gives the winger a chance to pass the puck to the center. In the defense zone the center should be in front of the net or behind. They are to play deep and are also expected to help the defense along the boards to get the puck out of their zone. When he plays in front of the net in the defense zone his/her job is to keep the puck out of the net. In face-offs the center is the one who always takes the face off. He/she should always try to get the puck to their defense player. Then he/she should tie up the other center no matter if they win or lose the face-off so that they don't have a chance to join in the rush and create a scoring situation.

The winger’s job is to dig in the corners and feed the center and defense when down deep; they are also supposed to get goals. In the offensive zone the winger is to dig the puck out of the corners and position themselves in front of the net when the puck is not on their side so, they can distract the goalie. This puts them in the right position to tip it in and to get the rebound which is all scoring opportunity. Wingers just remember that you should never chase the puck in the other wingers side, that is the centers job and never go deep in the defense zone. On the defense zone the winger’s responsibility is to wait for a pass, intercept the puck, and attack the opposing defense man when they have the puck. Aggression is the key to being a winger. On defense the winger should post themselves high to receive the puck in order to take the puck in, dump it in the end zone, or pass it an open player. In the face-off the winger is to occupy the defense man that he is lined up with. If the puck is loose it is his job to get to the puck.

Just remember every position is a very important part of being a good team in kid’s sports and in my kid’s sports. Playing together makes for a well-oiled team and makes playing fun.

Hockey - What Are the Positions.

In the game of ice hockey there are four basic positions: center, winger, defenseman, and goalie.There is generally one center, two wingers, two defenseman, and one goalie on the ice for each team at any given time. Each position is meant to be played by an individual with a certain set of skills. With a great deal of practice players can develop skills to better specialize to play only one specific position.

The center is considered the main puck distributor on the team. It is the role of the center to take face-offs and control the middle of the ice. During play, the center's job is very similar to a point guard in basketball or a setter in volleyball. He or she has the responsibility of gaining control of the puck and passing it to the wingers, who are ideally the team's primary goal scorers. The team's best passers are usually centers.

Wingers are primarily responsible for putting the puck into the net. They are generally the smallest and fastest players on the team. Ideally, wingers should be able to take passes from the center or defensemen and carry the puck to the opposing net. When their team does not have the puck it is the wingers' job to stay at the blue-line and cover the opposing team's defensemen. The wingers should be the first skaters to start an offensive rush.

Wingers generally prefer to play either the left or right side of the ice. While it is not necessary thatwingers keep to their designated side, having a designated "left wing" and "right wing" will lead to more organized play on the ice. Most wingers tend to play on only one side of the ice based onpersonal preference.

Defenseman also play on either the left or right side of the ice. It is their job to be the last wave of players to defend against oncoming rushes. The primary job of a defenseman is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by protecting their own net. Defensemen are generally the biggest and strongest players on the team, and are adept at skating backwards. Defensemen generally do not score as much as wingers and centers, but do contribute by tallying assists.

Finally, the goalie must obviously defend the net. When all else fails, the goalie is the last line of defense. The goalie in hockey is often considered to be the most important position in all of sports, along with the quarterback in American football. A good goalie can make even a bad team competitive.

If you are considering trying your hand (or skates) at the game of hockey consider your strengths and weaknesses. Are you a fast skater with a good shot? Are you an accurate passer? Are you big and strong with a physical edge? If you can identify with one of these descriptions then maybe your ideal position is easier to determine than you think.
 

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