1 out of 10. 1 out of 10 times, I’m not the greatest in math, but that’s not good. Why do some players continue to force the issue when it comes to making a play or shall we say trying to make a play? How many times can defencemen try to throw it up the middle or go indirectly off the boards for a stretch pass and it not connect, and it not be corrected? Oh, I know the answer to that one, 1 out of 10, but in all seriousness though, that’s what it seems like.
More and more players are trying to force the issue when the play is simply not there. They continue to force the issue, but are somehow praised or rewarded by more ice when they finally make the play. Now, maybe I’m exaggerating when I say 1 out of 10, but it certainly feels that way watching it over and over again.
Listen I realize the game is fast and that young players, hell everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect, but there comes a time where things have to be corrected or some accountability has to take place. Players should feel comfortable trying to make plays, I’m not saying that, but when players make the same mistakes over and over again, it’s incredibly difficult to watch.
For example, a forward that is timid or hears footsteps out there and tries to force things because they don’t want to take a hit to make a play. How many times can they be allowed to make “soft” plays with the puck or turn pucks over and over and over again before someone corrects them or pulls them aside and tells and shows them what they’re doing or not doing?
What about the defencemen, that constantly comes around the net and blindly throws it up the boards or throws it blind across the ice for the D to D pass, or the defender that constantly pinches and makes horrendous decisions when they do pinch trying to force things offensively?
Is it me, or is that type of play acceptable nowadays, because it sure as hell doesn’t seem like it’s being corrected?
Maybe it is being corrected constantly and the player is refusing to listen and buy in, so if that’s the case, that’s on the coach to hold them accountable.
Making plays is hard, no one said it was ever easy, but when players don’t execute, they struggle, if they’re not corrected or told, clearly the mistakes are going to keep happening over and over again. What about the goaltender that can’t handle the dump in or control the puck?
That’s all about reps, that’s all about practice habits and developing the skills necessary. If a netminder struggles playing the puck or is uncomfortable doing that, they don’t have to turn into Martin Brodeur, but at least try to be proficient at the skill.
Again, in this day and age, players have all this individual skill and can do just about anything with the puck, but they lack the awareness and processing to put it all together and execute under pressure or in traffic in a game. In many cases they have no clue what situations to actually use their arsenal of skills and end up forcing it.
Rather than making the right play at the right time, they force something that they might be only able to pull off 1 out 5 times. That’s not creativity, that’s a lack of execution, poor processing and a lack of awareness.
I don’t want to get into the concept of puck support or the lack there of, because I don’t want to be too negative, but it’s definitely an issue at the U16AAA, U18 AAA levels and perhaps beyond.
In my opinion the lack of puck support and awareness of it also causes players to panic when they have the puck on their stick and force things because they have no idea where to go. They can all skate like hell, but they struggle with the concept how to make a play.
A lot of players don’t understand time and space, they struggle to support the puck carrier, because they have no clue where to go, how to get open or find the soft or quiet areas of the ice to receive the puck. Again, there’s all this “individual skill” in the game, but for the most part, players overhandle the puck, wait way too long to make a play and then try to make the extra play and then end up forcing things.
Another concept that has led to forcing things in the game, is the inability to pass and receive a pass. Passing is such a basic fundamental skill, but how many times have you seen what you would classify as a great passing hockey club this season? Sure, teams play fast, but do they control things, do they support the puck, are they truly a puck possession team?
When teams don’t support the puck, don’t know how to pass and receive a pass, they’re going to struggle and they’re going to end up forcing the issue all game long and if it’s not corrected all season long.
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