The fundamental skill of passing the puck effectively, with purpose, and also with pace, is a lost art in hockey.
Being in my third season of my post-playing career, I have seen it way too often, from numerous vantage points. As a scout, an advisor, a coach, a skills coach, you name it.
It starts in minor hockey.
But before we get in to that, why is it that so many coaches want to dissect their systems before looking at the essential skills amongst those systems? Why is it that skills coaches in today’s game want players to be able to flip pucks over obstacles, while those same players some of the time, can not consistently catch a pass on their backhands?
No system or set play in the world will ever work without players being able to give or receive a pass effortlessly and with control.
X’s and O’s will only take you so far
Being the owner/founder of the hockey development company CrossIce Developments, we get approached by minor hockey teams as far down as Atom. When we initially consult with the coach, it’s like clock work.
“We can’t break the puck out” is the phrase I hear over and over. Another frequent issue is zone entries.
I proceed to ask the coach if they have honestly worked on developing their passing skills, and broke it down by positions (splitting up the forwards and defence) to work on situational passing. Generally, the answer is ‘no.’
X’s and O’s only go so far if the fundamental skill of passing is limited.
Your breakouts and zone entries will be useless without this fundamental skill . . . SEE MORE OF THE COACHES SITE Join The Coaches Site to access the latest drills, tactics & leadership lessons from hockey's top coaches. Already a member? Login
See also:
- Chalk Talk: Defensive gap control with Avalanche assistant Nolan Pratt
- Former Canucks GM Mike Gillis explains how the best teams in the world develop culture
- Rikard Grönborg on how Sweden develops world-class defencemen
Chance Szott
Chance Szott is the Owner/Founder of CrossIce Developments- an elite hockey development company based in Central Alberta. Chance and his team of 6 skills coaches, pride themselves on their 3 core values. Skill transfer to a game environment, preparing players to play at the next level, and enhancing leadership skills. www.crossicedevelopments.com.
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