This first game being posted has a special spot in my heart as the final version of the game was created by my daughter and often goes by the name "Hannah's Game". I'm guessing many who add this game to their training, might choose another name, but fell free to keep it as is. Usually when selecting the name for a game there's something in the name to make it a little more simple to understand. A choice for the above game might be 2v2 with 4 support players. There's endless choices for a name that you might like better. Have at it.
The game pictured above is a great concept game that is one that trains for numerous skills for advanced play. From experience, this game best fits Pee-Wees and older, squirts or atoms (Canadian version of squirts) might use this game in the second half of their winter training. The game is played between the goal line and blue line or could go blue line to blue line. The playing area is a big part of the game in that any puck leaving the defined boundaries is dead. The game is played 2v2 in the playing area and shifts last in the 25-35 second range. The game has one team in two lines on either side of one goal and the opponent on the opposite line, also in 2 lines on either side if the goal. The teams are dressed in opposite colors with the 2 lines at one goal dressed the same. ie white down one end, dark at the other end. Games usually last 10 minutes or more.
A coach with a lot of pucks positions themselves just outside one side of a boundary and spots pucks in different areas to keep the game moving.
The rules are as follows
#1 Either team can shoot at either goal.
#2 Before you are allowed to shoot on goal you must pass to a support player first. (all 4 support players from either end can be used)
#3 You are allowed to make passes to your teammate before or after you use the support player
#4 The support players, lined up in single file, must pass back to the same color that passed to you. (not just the same player)
#5 When a goal is scored or a puck leaves the playing area the coach will spot a new puck where ever they choose.
#6 A coach will blow a whistle for the 4 players at the front of each line to enter the game, the 4 playing go to the back of their team's lines.
This is a much less complicated game than the rules seem to indicate. Players will start out a little slow moving at first and the players in the front of the support lines need to be reminded they must be alert and present a good target. Once the players start to grasp how it works the game begins to be played at a higher and higher pace and the passing options begin to become more diversified.
The beauty of this game is that players learn to move off the puck, first in simple ways, then becoming more and more creative as they discover different options. In this small environment, you must keep working to free yourself up for a pass and when on offense you are always a first option, as compared to 5 v 5 play where players are often not in a position to receive the next pass. LIke all games, the emphasis of what the coach sees as important can vary, as they see fit. An example on this front might be a coach stressing moving the puck quickly, to later teaching players how to defend better in this offensively stacked environment. The other important factor for the coach to consider is how and when to step in for a quick reminder or emphasis and/or when to stay in the background if the players seem to be growing on their own.
No comments:
Post a Comment