12 players

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I play on a women's recreational hockey team. We frequently have 11 players show up to games.
We don't have a coach so things get a little confusing. What we would like are some ideas as how to best structure lines with 11 players. We have strong and not as strong forwards and at least 3 - 4 players who can play centre, 5 who are comfortable playing D.

Thank you.
T.

ANSWER: Tanya,

Thanks for writing.  Well, is that 10 players plus a goalie equals 11?  Or 11 players plus a goalie.  So, I am thinking that you are saying it's 10 and 1.

Ten players, plus one goalie means that you have two set line of five, which is good.  Because once the line are set you don't have to move them.  Now, if this was a Travel team that's very competitive, generally you might want to shorten the bench every once in a while depending on the score...so I have been told.

Ok, so you have a mix of players and more centers then you would like.  So, here's what I do.  First, when I look at that team, I rank all players from one to five.  The best player on the team is a five and everyone is evaluated on their skill level compared to that one player.

Now, if you have (2) 5's you are looking pretty good...3 is better.  Ok, after everyone is numbered, you start making up your lines.  Now, for me, I always place my best skaters with great skills on defense...always!  Yes some of them are going to whine, too bad.  Tell them..."If you want to win games, you have to shore up your defense!"

Now, lets say you have(2)#5's.  This means they both go on defense on one line each.  Then you place a #3 players to support the (2) 5's.  Then if you have (2)#4's, you place each one of them at center, one on each lines. Then round off the forward lines with the rest.

Ok, so remember, I said that everyone will whine. Normally I would say TFB.  But because this is a clean site, again I will just say...too bad.  Ok, why?  First, by placing your best players on defense, you have just increase your winning percentage to 75%.

Now, buy placing your #4's at center, they are the "The Offensive Defenseman" so to speak.  Why?  Because within your defensive zone, their main responsibility is in the slot.  If your defenseman is in the corner and two other players from the other team are on her like white on rice, that center needs to go into the corner to equal out the strength.  That's why they call them a offensive-defenseman.

Now, you can have the greatest defense in the world and still lose.  Why?  One of the biggest problem with defensive teams is that they do not PLAY THEIR POSITION!  The wingers out covering the points are KEY.  If they don't play their position, within their responsibility zone you will lose...always!

Ok, here is a zoning chart for you and your team: http://www.passthepuck.net/14dceaf30.png

Ok, you will see the the plan of attack is going from left to right.  Now, you will see in this defensive side map, the defensive zones are in yellow.  Plus you will see the area that is marked off in from of your goalie, that's your center's responsibility.  Then you will see I have two colored zones out at the point.  This is where your wingers belong and NO WHERE ELSE!

Again, teams lose big time, because their winger don't play their position like they should and the attacking team keep feeding the point and pucks going in.  But if the wingers play their position, they isolate the point and then you don't have those big boomer shot coming in while stand in front.  No boomer shots means you have now increase your winning percentage to 85%.

Now, when you place your two best players on defenseman, they will complain that it's not fair.  Normally their answer is to the #2 play on defense.  So when your number 5 player in deep within the attacking zone sucking wind and the other team breaks out, the odds of a #2 stopping the advance is like...well, they might as well be sitting on the bench.

Now, if you place your two best players on defense (one line each), you then give them the freedom to take the puck up on the rush.  Now, when one goes up on the rush, that winger on that side of the rushing defenseman, falls back to play defense to help the other #3 player on defense.

Once the defenseman get up their and does here business, she gets back into her position which should be out at the point in the attacking zone.  DO NOT hang out deep by the net hopping to score a goal.  They have to get their "you know what" back to their position.

Now, by allowing the wingers to go up on the rush, you have help satisfy taste for putting the puck in the net.  Plus, if they are #5's they should have a good slap shot from the point.  This is another reason to place your best players on defense.

Now, here are just a few things that will help you win games.  The list is 4 miles long, but I will just give you the important ones.  Here it comes...

1.  The team that controls the puck the most...wins.
2.  Yes, the game is won in the corner, whether it's defense or offense.
3.  Play your position within your defensive zone, once out, go where you want.
4.  Don't skate the puck out of the defensive zone...you pass it out.
5.  45 second shifts...always.  The team with fresh legs will over come the other.
6.  Change on the fly.
7.  Drink water on the bench, even if you are not thirsty...very important.
8.  While advancing, use the defense as a safety relief valve.
9.  If you are regaining control of the puck in the neutral zone, you always pass it back to the defenseman and then regroup...not once in a while, ALWAYS!
10. Attack in numbers, not by yourself!

Ok, these are the formula for success.  I know you might get grief for doing this, but this is what I found out has worked for me.

I hope this helps.
Rob Lopez - CEO
Pass the Puck, Inc.
www.passthepuck.net








---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Rob. Yes, all of this helps a lot and I will bring it with me to hockey next week. We often have 11 skaters - (11 + goalie = 12), so we end up  with uneven lines. Could you comment quickly on that too?
Thanks
T.

Answer
Tanya,

Well, here's what you can do, but your players have to be in shape.  Ok, now, good players will always feel like they are not getting enough ice.  So there a couple of ways you can do this.

Ok, lets say you have this kind of line up...

1st line: #4-#3-#3
2nd line: #4-#3-#2
3rd: #4 from line one, #3 from line two and extra player.

Then during specialty plays; man advantage, extra attacker and so on.  You make a specialty line...

Specialty line: #4 from line one, #4 from line two and # 4 from where every if you have one.  If not, use a #3 or that extra player.

Now, NEVER split up you defensive teams.  Always keep them together no matter what.  Yes some time thing get crazy and you sometimes you will have to break them, ie: 4 players in the box.

If a defenseman goes into the box, pull your best player from forwards and put them back on defense. Then if the extra player is a #3, have a short handed line like this...

First Line: #4 and the extra player (first min.)
Second line: #3 and #4 (second min.)

Defense 1st: #5-#5 (first min.)
Defesne 2nd: #5-#5 (Second min.)

After the second line goes and kill the penatly, you place all lines back the way they were.  Tell them to stay out of the box!

Now, what I do is use an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper folded in half and half again and make my line up.  It helps me keep track of all line.  Plus, I make up a specialty line in advance.  Now, some times you can't depend on lines because one player is sick or can't show up for one reason or another.  In this case, it's always good to have that extra.

Hope this helps.
Rob Lopez - CEO
Pass the Puck, Inc.
www.passthepuck.net