Hockey Coach Series - iHcokeyTrainer

The Importance of Getting The Puck Deep

There is nothing more upsetting to a hockey coach than when one of his players fails to get the ouck deep into the opponents zone.

Definition

Getting the puck deep simply means placing the puck in the others teams zone below the hash marks.  The puck must also be ‘loose’ and NOT on the opponents stick.

Why Teams Want to get the Puck Deep

• If a player fails to put the puck deep that usually means that a turnover has taken place.

This Allows the Opponent to:

• Have a shorter distance to your net
• Likely have less defenders to go through to get a goal, and have odd-man situations
• Attack against tired defenders, as your team can’t make a good change
• Creates many ‘grey-areas’ as some teammates do not have one clear direction of purpose
• To create momentum and pressure through more play in your zone
• Likely to create a penalty

• Benefits of Getting the Puck Deep

• More play in the opponents zone, more scoring chances
• Ables a team to get good unified changes
• Creates momentum and energy through forecheck establishment
• Forces the opponent to go 200 feet and through all 5 players before attacking your net
• Makes the other team turn and face their own net
• Tires out the opponent, creates chances from them taking extra obstruction penalties
• Builds unity for a team that is committed to a team game plan

Summary

Getting the puck deep is essential at all the higher levels of hockey.  The next game you watch from the NHL be sure to watch for a teams play.  Their turn overs and their ability to get the puck in deep to an opponents zone, play a large role in the success of a game plan.

Sometimes Listen to your Coach... and Get the Puck Deep!!!

Get Better Every Day,

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