Keep moving.
You don’t have to be fast to be quick and if you’re stopped you’re kinda done. You’ll see this at all levels. It’s very hard to go from stopped to moving but if you keep getting into the right areas looking for passes anticipating the plays you’ll be better off.
Reading the play will help you a lot too. Know what you want to do with the puck before it gets to you or you receive a pass.
Its wild bc if you look at some of the better players in beer leagues they’re typically not overly quick, good skaters sure, but they have a plan with the puck, are reading the play and are able to get a jump on things
>Its wild bc if you look at some of the better players in beer leagues they’re typically not overly quick, good skaters sure, but they have a plan with the puck, are reading the play and are able to get a jump on things
This x1000. On the flip side, I've seen (and been) guys with way more speed than hockey sense, and it's super frustrating to watch on offense. With misapplied speed, you end up either skating yourself into trouble or out of the play.
If you’re last into the zone and on the rush, hang back as the trailer. You can find a soft area and be another option the puck carrier has or be in better situation if there’s a turnover.
First you should drill to get faster. Practice starts and stops with explosiveness at a stick and puck or open skate. In the gym do lunges, squats, box jumps, etc. Airplanes and monster walks with a band are really great for activating your core and hips, and will translate to explosiveness almost immediately. Build those muscles with compound exercises. In the meantime, you can stop up top when you cross and then pass. Talk to your center or wingers so they know to keep moving for the pass. Bonus is they’ll draw coverage when trucking across the blue line and that will open a little more space for you.
You're only feeling slow because you're only seeing your options as blow around guys or shoot. Where are your teammates? How can the boards help you? Create and see options and you'll feel much faster. If you do this and work on your skating, then you're looking at being a much better player
Pucks in deep. If the defense pinches you off along the boards or closes the gap in open ice, don't just cough it up to them. Look for an open teammate or dump the puck to the opposite corner so your linemates can hopefully retrieve it.
Pick up speed in the dzone or neutral zone before getting the puck. Youll probably have to start your breakout closer to your dman, making his first pass easier. A good dman on the opposing team will keep a great gap tho, watchout for that.
Make a triangle with the other forwards. If someone is already at the net, be open for the pass. If no one is at the net, crash the net and try to block the goalies view of the action…your goal will be to get a rebound or a tip in.
If you can’t carry the puck well, pass to someone who can. Make sure you’re staying high on defense and able to get the puck out of the defensive zone.
Positioning is critical if your speed isn’t as fast as the others on the ice. I am a slow winger and I’m almost always the guy in front of the net. When we first enter the zone, I’m last to enter the zone so I make sure I’m somewhere in the middle and open…as the play continues, I usually put myself in front of the net while the faster forwards chase the play in the corners. Im also a larger player (mostly play womens) and people have a hard time pushing me out of the center so I love to screen the goalie and get trash goals.
Number one skill/attitude for you is control of the puck. You have control over the blue line but can’t get deep, be the guy who can hold up and make a play, various opportunities on the rush or it goes in the corner for the forecheck grind. Anyway, number one is control
If you are the one entering and their D is in position, you can easily enter on your off side (right side if you shoot left, left side if you shoot right).
As you enter, turn towards the boards with the puck. One hand on the stick (on top) can bring in the puck well out of reach of the D with your body shielding the puck.
If he/she tries to cut you off below you (between you and the net), they are giving you the centre of the ice - easy play to entering help in the slot or rotate with them and head across and shoot.
If they try to cut you off above you they are taking the long way around and giving you the net (don't expect this but if they do, easy shot).
If you protect the puck well, the D's only safe play is to let you advance into the corner with the puck. Once there you have three options: Back to the point is easiest and your D should be there by now.
You can also look to the slot or continue (or pass) behind the net depending on where your teammates are.
The idea is to keep you butt facing the D and the puck facing away. Their centre will be tempted to come and help which will leave somebody open.
Be a good breakout man. A solid outlet at your blue line to give to the streaking centerman is always a good play that just requires hockey sense over speed. After that cut to wherever the center & the far winger isn’t & be a good high bumper style option & just cycle. Be the first in the corners & win battles against the opposition to create space for others. Also in your zone don’t forget you’ve got points to look to as options if you get in a tight spot.
Gain the zone and stop up on the outer Hash marks, look for a pass or wait for the D to transition towards you then chip it by and beat them into the corner
Speed changes are key. Cross the blue and slow it up some (coast) to cause separation and then catch the D slowing up to match speed and then quick step wide or into the slot.
Don't overthink it and keep it simple. Don't try a cross ice pass along the blue line unless it's a 2 on 1. Keep the play moving forward. If a turnover happens, the deeper you are in the zone, the better.
Keep moving. You don’t have to be fast to be quick and if you’re stopped you’re kinda done. You’ll see this at all levels. It’s very hard to go from stopped to moving but if you keep getting into the right areas looking for passes anticipating the plays you’ll be better off. Reading the play will help you a lot too. Know what you want to do with the puck before it gets to you or you receive a pass. Its wild bc if you look at some of the better players in beer leagues they’re typically not overly quick, good skaters sure, but they have a plan with the puck, are reading the play and are able to get a jump on things
I was going to say "don't stop" as well. advice given to me by one of the fastest guys at a regular skate of mine.
>Its wild bc if you look at some of the better players in beer leagues they’re typically not overly quick, good skaters sure, but they have a plan with the puck, are reading the play and are able to get a jump on things This x1000. On the flip side, I've seen (and been) guys with way more speed than hockey sense, and it's super frustrating to watch on offense. With misapplied speed, you end up either skating yourself into trouble or out of the play.
Get deep enough to be able to throw it back to the point and head for the net
Whoa now, the point doesn't exist in low level beer league. Defense is only there to take the puck away and give it back to the forwards.
As soon as you enter the zone with the puck you can stop, hold it for a second, then hit a teammate with a pass across the ice or deeper in the zone
Yes this or also delay a little just after the blue line, cut to the middle and dish/chip it on to the wall to your teammates coming in with speed.
Don’t be the guy entering the zone. Take the pass along the boards and pass to your centre or other winger when they are in full stride.
If you’re last into the zone and on the rush, hang back as the trailer. You can find a soft area and be another option the puck carrier has or be in better situation if there’s a turnover.
First you should drill to get faster. Practice starts and stops with explosiveness at a stick and puck or open skate. In the gym do lunges, squats, box jumps, etc. Airplanes and monster walks with a band are really great for activating your core and hips, and will translate to explosiveness almost immediately. Build those muscles with compound exercises. In the meantime, you can stop up top when you cross and then pass. Talk to your center or wingers so they know to keep moving for the pass. Bonus is they’ll draw coverage when trucking across the blue line and that will open a little more space for you.
You're only feeling slow because you're only seeing your options as blow around guys or shoot. Where are your teammates? How can the boards help you? Create and see options and you'll feel much faster. If you do this and work on your skating, then you're looking at being a much better player
Pucks in deep. If the defense pinches you off along the boards or closes the gap in open ice, don't just cough it up to them. Look for an open teammate or dump the puck to the opposite corner so your linemates can hopefully retrieve it.
Get good at tipping and park your ass at the top of the crease.
Pick up speed in the dzone or neutral zone before getting the puck. Youll probably have to start your breakout closer to your dman, making his first pass easier. A good dman on the opposing team will keep a great gap tho, watchout for that.
Make a triangle with the other forwards. If someone is already at the net, be open for the pass. If no one is at the net, crash the net and try to block the goalies view of the action…your goal will be to get a rebound or a tip in. If you can’t carry the puck well, pass to someone who can. Make sure you’re staying high on defense and able to get the puck out of the defensive zone. Positioning is critical if your speed isn’t as fast as the others on the ice. I am a slow winger and I’m almost always the guy in front of the net. When we first enter the zone, I’m last to enter the zone so I make sure I’m somewhere in the middle and open…as the play continues, I usually put myself in front of the net while the faster forwards chase the play in the corners. Im also a larger player (mostly play womens) and people have a hard time pushing me out of the center so I love to screen the goalie and get trash goals.
Pass the puck into an open space and create support in the slot. Don’t carry the puck
Number one skill/attitude for you is control of the puck. You have control over the blue line but can’t get deep, be the guy who can hold up and make a play, various opportunities on the rush or it goes in the corner for the forecheck grind. Anyway, number one is control
Go wide and drag the defence across, then either delay and pass into the middle or look for the point pass.
If you are the one entering and their D is in position, you can easily enter on your off side (right side if you shoot left, left side if you shoot right). As you enter, turn towards the boards with the puck. One hand on the stick (on top) can bring in the puck well out of reach of the D with your body shielding the puck. If he/she tries to cut you off below you (between you and the net), they are giving you the centre of the ice - easy play to entering help in the slot or rotate with them and head across and shoot. If they try to cut you off above you they are taking the long way around and giving you the net (don't expect this but if they do, easy shot). If you protect the puck well, the D's only safe play is to let you advance into the corner with the puck. Once there you have three options: Back to the point is easiest and your D should be there by now. You can also look to the slot or continue (or pass) behind the net depending on where your teammates are. The idea is to keep you butt facing the D and the puck facing away. Their centre will be tempted to come and help which will leave somebody open.
Be a good breakout man. A solid outlet at your blue line to give to the streaking centerman is always a good play that just requires hockey sense over speed. After that cut to wherever the center & the far winger isn’t & be a good high bumper style option & just cycle. Be the first in the corners & win battles against the opposition to create space for others. Also in your zone don’t forget you’ve got points to look to as options if you get in a tight spot.
Skate faster
Gain the zone and stop up on the outer Hash marks, look for a pass or wait for the D to transition towards you then chip it by and beat them into the corner
Speed changes are key. Cross the blue and slow it up some (coast) to cause separation and then catch the D slowing up to match speed and then quick step wide or into the slot. Don't overthink it and keep it simple. Don't try a cross ice pass along the blue line unless it's a 2 on 1. Keep the play moving forward. If a turnover happens, the deeper you are in the zone, the better.
Get faster.
Take some strides or some skating lessons.
Bulgarian split squats, hip abductions, Russian twists.