Programs...

Program Outline - Pee Wee

St. Matthew's Pee Wee Hockey program focuses on several aspects of the game of hockey including having fun and good sportsmanship. This comprehensive program will teach and challenge our hockey players to take their game to the next level in terms of focus, theory, endurance and team play. Our Pee Wee players will be instructed on the following:

Push your limits
Focus on task
Be first, never settle for second
Don't be afraid to work on weaknesses … practice
Play without fear

Contributing Factors to Success at Practice

Play stops at net - players and goalie play out rebounds
Hard in and out of drills (Blue line Rule)
Competition Drills: If you can't compete you can't win. Skill is not a factor
Small Battles
Open ice
Off the wall (D-zone)
On the wall
In front of the net (offense & defense)
Blue lines (get in / get out)
Goalies - competition out of every shot (if goalies work hard it also improves shooters)

Keys to Success at Games

Finish checks
Face-offs (maintain possession)
Back checking / fore checking
Shots on net
Blocked shots
Turnovers
Take hit to make play
Win race to loose pucks
Protect puck
Control emotion

Four Zone Theory

Win battles in the four zones consistently and win - guaranteed!

• Zone 1 Defensive Net Zone

  • You must defend with pride and a purpose

  • Opposing players must fear this zone

  • Defense must play tough with attitude

  • Tie up sticks

  • Seal to the outside - loose puck goalies responsibility

  • Communication - Goalies voice is sixth player

  • Win 1 on 1 battles, don't wait for someone else to do your job

  • Protect good ice

  • Hit and stick

  • Goalies must be prepared to stop every puck, control rebounds & cover loose pucks

     

• Zone 2 Defensive Blue Line Zone

  • Win the battle on the boards

  • Options, boards and middle

  • Finish checks on opposing D-man always

  • Support - underneath and by coming towards puck

  • Take a hit to make the play

  • Weak side defenseman ready to join play

     

• Decision Line is the Center Red Line

  • What are your options?

  • Numerical advantage = Attack with control and support

  • Numerically Even = Dump

  • Is the opposing defenseman...

    • Holding the line (short gap) = Dump

    • Backing In (large gap) = Attack with control and support

   

• Zone 3 Offensive Blue Line Zone

  • Puck must get in (with control preferably)

  • Turnovers in this zone are deadly

  • Support on attack

  • Communication away from the puck

  • Speed

  • Get the puck wide

  • Dumps must be made before blue line

  • A plan for getting puck back "Smart Dump"

   

• Zone 4 Offensive Net Zone

   

  • Needs to be attacked with intent and conviction

  • Penetrate zone with bodies and puck / hit the net

  • Pay the price to score - take hits / crash net

  • Look for 2nd and 3rd opportunities

  • Traffic on shots

  • Patience

  • Loose pucks

  • Quick sticks

  • Puck protection (Forsberg)

  • Communication for shots and open players

Coach

Set goals for players:
Face-offs - puck possesion
Finished checks - Forwards & defenseman
Blocked shots
Turnovers in neutral zone
Shots at net
Shots on net
Winning loose pucks

Practices:
Design drills around winning the battles in each of the four zones.
Always have players stopping at the net
Play rebounds / traffic
Support - under and towards puck
Reads - attack vs. dump
Puck protection - loose puck drills
Attack options - players away from puck attack net