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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: The Breakout

In the last Locker Room lesson, we went over the 3-on-2.  In this lesson, we will continue our offensive endeavors and look into what starts most offensive plays, the defensive zone breakout.  A breakout is the process by which a team transitions from defense to offense when exiting their defensive zone.  A successful breakout can lead to a possible 3-on-2, 2-on-1, or a breakaway.  An unsuccessful breakout can cripple your burgeoning offensive push, and put a team right back into defensive mode.  This is why having a clean, simple breakout is important.  It involves all five skaters on the ice, and it can make or break your offense.

Positioning

The breakout involves all the players on the ice.  It is important to understand that successful breakouts hang on everyone keeping proper position.  Here, we go through what a simple breakout from the right corner looks like position-wise.

Figure 1: The puck goes into the defensive zone.  The two defensemen decide whether the puck can be stopped in the left or the right corner, and then position themselves accordingly.  In this example, the puck goes to the right corner.  D2 should skate down and stop the puck, while D1 takes up the slot position.

Figure 2: D2 has possession of the puck in their corner.  The RW is posted up on the boards, just above the hash marks, ready to receive a pass.  LW and C are coming into the zone as future passing options for RW.  C should scoop lower and closer to RW than LW.  After the pass is made to C, RW should skate up the boards, joining the attack.

Figure 3: D2 passes the puck to RW, who in turn passes it to C.  Both C and LW have curved up and are now on the offensive attack.  RW should join the rush after the breakout pass.  D1 and D2 will then move up and into proper neutral zone positioning.

If the puck is dumped into the left corner, the breakout will continue in the same fashion, but switch both LW and RW as well as D1 and D2.  C still comes down the middle, curving up for the breakout pass towards  LW. Speed

The speed of a breakout can control the momentum and pace at which the game is played.  Have you ever wondered why, during a power play after the opposing defense has dumped the puck down, the defenseman slowly skates the puck behind the net and waits? One, he’s waiting for his teammates to skate back and become passing options for a new rush into the offensive zone.  Two, he’s slowing down the pace of the game.  Controlling the pace of the game is crucial.  You can see in every level of hockey, whether its youth, high school, or professional, that whichever team controls the pace of the game normally has more puck possession.  More puck possession means more time on attack.  More time on attack equals more goals, and scoring more goals is the main objective of all hockey players.  If you are facing a speedster team, they are going to want to keep their speed high and the game pace fast so that your team is worn out and tired by the middle of the second period. Then, they can take advantage of your tired team the rest of the game.  The ideal way to combat that is through puck possession, regrouping, and slowing down your breakouts.  Alternatively, if your team needs a boost, you can perform a quick breakout.  With two crisp, clean passes (from D1/D2 to RW/LW to C), your team can catch your opposition off guard.  Because passing is always quicker than skating, your offense will be at center ice, speeding down into the offensive zone with a possible 3-on-2 in just a couple of seconds.

Forecheck

(Left: D-to-D breakout: D2 makes a D-to-D pass to D1, which transitions the position of the offense from right to left.  RW skates up ready for a rush up the neutral zone with C.  LW posts up at the hash marks, waiting for a pass from D1.  C adjusts his course and curves up towards the LW for a pass to complete the breakout.)

The main opposition a team will face while performing a breakout is the other team’s forecheck.  Forechecking is when a team sends an offenseman (usually a winger) to put pressure on the opposing team’s defense and force them to make an error, turning over puck possession and keeping the pace of the game up.  The forechecker is the natural enemy to breakouts, but keeping them away and maintaining puck possession is simple.  There are two options that a team can take; the first is to increase the speed of the breakout. Be aware that on-tape passes, puck awareness, and quick feet are vital to having this option succeed without making mistakes and giving away a turnover.  The second option is to do a D-to-D pass.  D-to-D passes are done exactly as they sound.  Whichever defenseman is not currently in the corner skates to the other corner and shouts to their partner that they are open for a pass.  Using that side outlet switches the positioning of a breakout, opening up passing lanes for a quick breakout to commence.  If your D-to-D pass and subsequent breakout is quick enough, the forechecker should be left in the dust.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: The 3-on-2

In the last Locker Room lesson, we covered several points on neutral zone play and how it can affect the pace of a game, increasing a team’s puck possession and time on attack. For this lesson, we’ll delve into just what that attack entails. In past lessons we’ve covered how defensemen participate in the offensive zone, so today we will be focusing solely on offense, namely offense on a 3-on-2. The 3-on-2 (read as 3 offensemen versus 2 defensemen) is the bread and butter of offensive attacks. This situation will arise every game, so it is best to be ready for it and have a strategy prepared beforehand. This lesson will detail the basic form of a 3-on-2 attack. In a game situation, anything can happen, especially with fast opponents, so this play should be looked upon as a guideline for proper positioning rather than a set-in-stone play.

The first thing you should be aware of is that in modern offensive playmaking, many coaches decide to abandon the “Right Wing, Center, Left Wing” positioning names in favor of “F1, F2, and F3.” This releases the perceived location restrictions associated with position names, allowing forwards to mix and match themselves into the three roles.

A 3-on-2 always begins with the break-in, getting the puck into the zone with clean possession in order to set-up the scoring play. Because this is an odd-man rush, there is no opposing offense to skate around, but they are close behind making speed and teammate awareness are very important. Some offensemen like to dump the puck down and wrap it around the boards to a winger to start the play, the “dump and chase.” Others just skate the puck into the zone themselves, but both focus on getting the puck deep into the zone. This is where our play starts.

(Above) Cam Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes fail to stop the New Jersey Devils 3-on-2 attack.

(Above)Diagram A: Proper positioning of all three forwards in a 3-on-2, with puck carrier in the corner.

Initial Positioning – (Diagram A)

• F1 is the first offenseman to enter the offensive

zone and is either carrying the puck or

forechecking a “dump and chase”.

• F2 is the second offenseman in the zone and

they will normally go right to the front of the

net/slot area, screening the goalie, ready to pick

up a rebound.

• F3, the last offenseman in the zone, is the

shooter. He supports F1, but stays high, around

the top of the circle, looking for a pass so he can

get a clean shot on goal.

This is what a simple 3-on-2 set-up looks like. F1 has two options here. Pass it to F3 for a shot, or skate it around the net to get a better passing lane. If he chooses the second option, the shift in positioning will look like this.

(Above) Diagram B: The Forwards shift positions to accommodate the movement of the puck carrier from left to right corner.

Shift in Positioning – (Diagram B)

• F1 skates the puck around the net into the

corner, shifting the play to the other side of the ice.

• F2 shifts to F3’s old spot, covering the slot

and screening the goalie.

• F3 moves to the high slot to support F1,

expecting an outlet pass for a shot.

(Above)Diagram C: The high forward receives a pass and shoots, while the other two forwards crash the net.

The Shot and Rebound Coverage - (Diagram C)

• If all goes well, and F1 gets a clear passing

lane to F3 while retaining puck possession, then the

play is on.

• F3 gets the puck and rips a shot from the high

point.

• F1 and F2 crash the net, looking for

rebounds.

That is the 3-on-2 in a nutshell. There are hundreds of variations of this play but the main principles stay the same. Keep puck possession; open up passing lanes; maintain presence in the slot; always be prepared for rebounds. If the offense can follow all these guidelines, they are sure to have a successful 3-on-2. Communication is key. Let the puck carrier know you are open, or that they need to move because a defenseman is coming to put pressure on them. A little communication on ice goes a long way.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: The Neutral Zone

In our last Locker Room lesson we went over the offensive zone, and how to contribute to your team’s offensive pressure as a defenseman. The remaining area to cover is the neutral zone. Managing the neutral zone is tough. Normally defensemen don’t recognize the benefits of using the neutral zone, and they just see it as the separation of offensive and defensive zones, an area for faceoffs and dump-ins. By having that mindset, those skaters are not taking advantage of all that the neutral zone can offer a team. Here are some important topics to consider when addressing the neutral zone.

  Regrouping:

A regroup is a pass or series of cross-ice passes between the defensive pair, normally located in the neutral or high defensive zone, done to relieve pressure from the offense and to retain puck possession. In any situation where the offense is overwhelmed with pressure from the opposing team, they can send the puck back to their defensemen, where the two will pass it back and forth to each other looking to draw pressure away from their wingers and free them up for another attacking play on the opposition. This spreads the opposing team thin, sometimes drawing an odd-man rush. This move is done very often in professional hockey. Watch an NHL game and count how many times a team regroups in a game. Even if the team is bad and has very little time on attack, you would probably see a regroup at least 10 times if not more. For a great offensive team, double that number. For a great offensive team that finds itself on many power plays, quadruple it.

  (Above)This is a diagram of a generic regroup. The left winger (L) gets contested by an opposing player (X) and sends it back to the defense (D) to retain puck possession. The defense pass is to each other and look for an open offenseman (L, C, or R) going up the ice.

  Offsides:

Offsides is a rule that prevents a team from entering the attacking zone without the puck. It was created to stop teams from having a player camp inside their opponent’s defensive zone, waiting for a teammate to dump the puck in. Consider a team keeping one skater down in your defensive zone while your team is attacking in their offensive zone. One Hail Mary pass from an opponent across the length of the ice surface and they’ve got a breakaway. That doesn’t seem right, does it; hence, the creation of offsides. Some think the offsides rule is confusing, but the only way it can be confusing is if you don’t properly know what it is. So I’ll give you an easy definition.

If your team has puck possession and you enter the offensive zone before the puck does, you are offsides and play will stop.

As long as you have at least one leg on the neutral zone-side of the offensive blue line (also known as straddling the blue line), and enter after the puck enters the zone, you cannot be offsides. If your team has possession and the puck hasn’t entered the zone, neither have you. If a teammate is skating the puck into the zone and you are ahead of them, turn perpendicular and straddle the blue line. This ensures you keep your speed and momentum going on the attack without being called offsides. An offsides call can kill all offensive momentum your team has, so be sure you know where the puck is, and stay on-sides. This is incredibly important and should be learned as soon as possible for players of all ages and abilities.

  The Dump & Chase:

There are many methods on getting offensive pressure and strong puck possession when going into the zone. One such method, normally for teams with a fast forechecking offense, is the dump & chase. The dump & chase is done exactly as its name suggests. The puck carrier skates the puck past the red line, as to avoid an icing call, and fires it deep into the offensive zone, where it is pursued by an attacking winger. Winning puck possession along the boards takes time, so when the winger wins the puck, his teammates have already had the time to position themselves for the ensuing attack, making for some dangerous potential scoring plays. There are really only two rules to follow when considering a dump & chase. First, If your team is on a shift change, and wants to keep possession of the puck, don’t dump it, look for a regroup or buy some time by skating it around the neutral zone. Second, if your line mates aren’t that fast, consider skating the puck into the zone yourself instead. The last thing you want is to give away the puck because the strategy you’re using doesn’t fit your team.

  (Above) The Bruins puck carrier is the left winger (at the bottom). They are on-sides, because the center (in the middle) still has one leg trailing on the ice behind him, straddling the blue line.

  (Above) The puck (denoted by the long, bright green trail) is sent around the boards to an attacking winger, who fights for possession as the rest of the team takes up their proper offensive positioning.

  Trapping:

For defense, the neutral zone should be viewed as the first area for preventing an attack; a pre-defense area, where attacks can be stopped before they enter the defensive zone. One of the best ways to utilize the neutral zone in defensive strategy is to work “the trap”. “The trap” is an extremely effective way of managing passing lanes and minimizing puck possession. In the normal set-up of “the trap”, the center will forecheck the opposing break-out and force the puck carrier towards the boards, while the wingers cover open offensemen, cutting-off the puck carrier’s passing lanes. This forces the puck carrier to do one of two things before he loses possession; either dump the puck into the zone for a dump & chase or send it back to the defense and regroup. Unless you’re facing a team full of Kariya-like quickness, either of these moves will be much easier for the defense to handle.

Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ice_Hockey_Neutral_Zone_Trap.gif to see an animated diagram of how a team correctly implements “the trap”.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: The Defenseman’s Offense

In our last Locker Room lesson we went over proper positioning in the defensive zone, transitions in position, and how to effectively cover the slot. We will continue the theme of positioning in this lesson by focusing on the offensive zone and being an offensive defenseman.

It’s not all about wailing away at the puck every time it trickles up towards the blue line. Positioning in the offensive zone requires just as much knowledge and concentration as it does in the defensive zone. One mistake and you could be giving up a costly breakaway or 2-on-1. Here are some key elements to keep in mind when manning the blue line.

If the opposing team gains possession and you see the puck being brought up by a strong skater, don’t try and be a hero and engage them down along the boards. Your chances to knock the puck off the player will be much higher if you start backing up, match speeds with the puck carrier, and close the gap. Alternately, if the puck is being broken out, but the puck carrier doesn’t have clear possession or is being tied up by an offenseman, then do go and attack. Keeping the puck in the zone not only cultivates scoring opportunities but also tires out the opposing defense, making them more susceptible to easy turnovers and stupid mistakes.

If you or your partner skate the puck in, leaving your blue line post for a scoring chance, make sure you communicate with your wingers so they know to take up the open position. This is very important in preventing odd-man rushes. Keep up the pressure. Don’t leave the offensive zone unless you have to. This means no abandoning the blue line and backing up early to compensate for fast skaters. If you have good gap control, you shouldn’t be worried. If they try to motor by you, you can just take the body, deliver a solid hit, and remove them from the play. A nice open-ice hip check is always a useful tool to keep in your defensive arsenal.

If the puck is coming up the boards fast, rather than using your stick to try and stop the puck, press your body against the boards and turn your skate sideways so that you will have a much greater chance of keeping the puck inside the blue line. The extra surface area you cover is especially useful with hard clears that tend to slip up high on the boards.

If you get the puck and a clear shooting lane, take the shot. Remember to keep it low for rebound potential, unless the top shelf is blatantly open. If you get the puck and don’t have a clear shooting lane, skate up and deeper into the zone. Taking the extra couple strides towards the top of the circles can get you a clear shooting lane, a quicker shot, or force a defender out of position and free up an offenseman for a pass. Being an offensive weapon adds another worry to the opposing defense and can make them prone to icing the puck, increasing your time on attack. Never doubt the influence of offensive pressure from the blue line on an opposing team.

Keep your head up and make a smart play. A strong attack is only as good as its worst blue-liner. The offense need to trust that their defense knows where they need to be and when they need to be there. However, offensive positioning can be more dynamic than defensive positioning, and that courtesy isn’t always reciprocated. So when you get possession, pick your head up and take a look at where your offensive teammates are, and if you can, make a play. If the opposing winger is pressuring you, don’t just dump it into the corner. Evaluate your options, and skate along the blue line (keeping the puck inside the zone) to free up a pass or shot. “Walking the line” and being mobile is what denotes great offensive defensemen.

Now go out and slap a couple in the twine. Show your team that scoring isn’t just for the offense.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: Positioning and "The Slot"

In our last Locker Room lesson, I discussed the importance of gap control to defensemen, and how to manipulate the gap in order to trap an offenseman and force a turnover. This week we will be continuing this lesson by showing how to position oneself once the opposing team’s offense is set up in the defensive zone. I’ll be going over basic defensive positioning, including a feature on the most dangerous goal scoring position on the ice and how to defend it.

Today’s defensive subject: Positioning and “the slot”

Defensive positioning is nowhere near as complicated as offense. But just because it’s not complicated, does not mean it’s easy. Being a great defender means you need to be able to assess where you should be positioned instantly, and be there as quick as possible. When there’s a 2-on-1 barreling down the ice, there’s no time to stop and think about position. Any hesitation costs defenders time and real estate, two things most can’t afford to lose. There are three zones on the ice (offensive, neutral, defensive), each with a different set of positioning, but for this lesson we’ll be focusing on the defensive zone.

    Defensive Zone

  (Left: The defensive zone is split into two sides, one for each defenseman to cover. In front of the net, “the slot” should always be covered by the non-engaged defender due to the location’s high scoring potential.)

  Defense always works in pairs. The only times a defender should work alone are catching a breakaway, and being a part of the rare offensive-minded penalty kill. Because of this, there are only two locations you need to concern yourself within your own zone, the corner and in front of the net between the circles, also known as “the slot”. Which side the puck is on will determine whether you should be positioned in “the slot” or in the corner. Let’s say the puck is on the right side of the defensive zone, the left defenseman(designated with the color green in the diagram) is going to post up in front of the net, in “the slot”, covering the winger or center that will inevitably be there looking for a garbage goal. The right defenseman(designated with the color blue in the diagram) will attempt to attack the puck carrier, looking to bank it off the boards to their winger.

  If the attacking defenseman is unsuccessful and the puck is forced down around to the left side, then both defensemen must make a decision. Whichever of the two can get to the puck quickest, which in most cases is the defensive partner, will go for it, while the other covers “the slot”. If it’s the other situation and the original attacking defenseman skates after the puck, then it’s the slot defenseman’s job to recognize this and reassign himself to the uncovered side. So if your right defenseman chases the puck into the left corner, then you are now the right defenseman, and he is the left defenseman, and both of your sides should be covered accordingly. This transition system is why great defense needs great positioning knowledge. I know it sounds a little confusing, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t even need to think about it. Knowing where you should be on the ice will become instant.

  The Slot

“The Slot” is the most important area on the ice. More goals are scored from here than anywhere else, which makes it the defense’s number one priority. In almost every scoring situation, there is at least one offenseman in the slot looking for a rebound or a quick tap-in. Accordingly, there should always be one defenseman covering the slot. Slot coverage is easy if you know how to do it. (Above: Captain Shea Weber of the Nashville Predators covers the slot against an opposing Anaheim Ducks winger.)

First, always make sure your body is in between the offenseman and the goal, and that there is no backdoor winger behind you, to the side of the net, looking for rebounds.

Second, keep your stick under theirs. This way if a pass comes through the slot, a simple stick-lift will have the puck sailing past them.

  Third, let the offenseman know you’re there. A simple stick-tap to the back of their leg or stick will distract them, taking them out of the play.

The Fourth and final piece of advice I have for you, make sure you communicate with your partner. The most important factor in a successful defensive pair is communication. A quick “Man on!” shout, used when an offenseman is racing towards the puck and you know your partner won’t have time to pick their head up, can be the difference between clearing the puck out of the zone and giving up a turnover and getting scored on.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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The Beginner’s Guide to Defense: Gap Control

While not as flashy as its offensive counterpart, defense is an integral part of any successful hockey team. "Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships." This should be taken to heart, as even the best offenses can be rendered moot by poor defensive play (just take a look at the last 4 Washington Capitals Post-seasons).

As a former defenseman myself, this is my knowledge wheelhouse. So throughout the course of my Locker Room articles, I will try my best to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned in my youth hockey career. Today’s defensive subject: Gap Control.

The Gap This is the very bare-bones basics of defending. The “gap” is the space between the backwards-moving defender and the puck carrier. This space needs to be controlled by the defender in order to successfully play an attacker. If the gap is too large, opponents will find it easier to deke or overpower the defenseman. If the gap is too small, the defenseman be too close, and will be outskated. The proper gap length is loosely a stick-length away, which provides perfect positioning for the defenseman to take control of the play. When a defenseman has good gap position, he can square up and manipulate the offenseman’s movement with their body position. For example, leaning or putting your stick towards the offenseman’s dominant side will force them to their backhand, which is great because in most cases it’s like trading an M-16 for a water gun. The goaltender will be relieved. One of the trickier elements of gap control is when to close in, in the defensive zone. How long do good defensemen stay the stick-length away? The answer The defenseman must maintain proper gap length in order to successfully lure the puck carrier to their backhand.

Great defensemen force the puck carrier wide as they shorten up their gap. This keeps the puck carrier from having good shooting position. is simple. In the offensive/neutral zone stay with stick-length, but when the defenseman hits their blue line, he should start slowing down. By the time both skaters hit the top of the circle, the defenseman should have closed the gap and started attacking the puck carrier.

The best tip I can give for upstart defensemen, look at the body. Don’t look at the puck. Don’t look at the puck carrier’s head. Look at the body. That way, when Stud McDangles from the opposing team tries to pull a quick move, the defense won’t be fooled by fancy stick work.

Focusing on the puck carrier’s chest will reduce the chance that they’ll stickhandle around the defenseman. It also provides a solid target for the defenseman to step up and play the body.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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Holes and Hockey: Different Ways to Score

Scoring in hockey is complicated, but describing how you scored isn’t. Hockey terminology has already given us an easy way to describe goal locations with the “Hole System.” The gaps, or holes, that goalies can cover between themselves and the net have been numbered 1 through 7 for the convenience of hockey fans everywhere.

The One-hole: It is the gap between the goalie’s leg pad and the post, with the leg pad and stick on the inside, the post on the outside, and the blocker at the top.

The Two-hole: This gap resides on the other side of the goalie’s arm and glove. It is framed by the arm and glove at the top, the goalie’s leg pad on the inside, and the post on the outside. During a butterfly-style save, this area is closed off completely and the catcher is typically stacked on top of the leg pad as the leg is extended to cover the post.

The Three-hole: This is the gap above the goalie’s shoulder on his glove side. It is defined by the goaltender’s arm and catching glove on the bottom, his neck and mask on the inside, and the post and crossbar on the outside.

The Four-hole: It is above the goalie’s shoulder on the stick side. The area is composed of the arm and stick on the bottom, the crossbar at the top, and the post on the outside.

(Above) Numbers designate the 7 locations of the “Hole System”, the gaps that goalies can cover between themselves and the net.

The Five-hole: This is hands-down the most popular of the holes in modern hockey vernacular. It is the space between the goalie’s leg pads, and is a favored spot for snipers and grinders alike. This area is protected by the blade of the stick when in standard goalie position. A butterfly goalie relies on being able to close his five-hole very quickly, tempting shooters into trying to beat the goaltender’s reaction time in doing so. Stand-up goalies focus more on glove and stick work to close their five hole.

The Six-hole: This is the gap between the goalie’s arm and ribcage on his stick side.

The Seven-hole: This is the hole on the opposite side of the six-hole; between the arm and ribcage on the glove side.

Now that you’re familiar with all the holes, try out some shooting and see which one yields the most for you. If you are a sniper, go for the three-hole and four-hole. Today, most goalies focus on the butterfly technique, and that will test the speed of their stick and glove hands. Also, you have a good chance of knocking the goaltender’s water bottle to the ice, and that’s always a good feeling.

If you are more of a grinder, less finesse and more elbow grease, then work on the one-hole, two-hole, and five-hole. These gaps present themselves especially when close to the net. These are the go-to areas if you are looking to put away a rebound.

(Above) A goalie displays a 5 Hole block.

If you really want to impress your friends, fake a shot to the one-hole or two-hole and slip the puck in the five-hole. Or, fake a shot up towards the one-hole or three-hole, then as either the glove side or stick side arms go up, snipe the six-hole or seven-hole.

There are many ways to score in hockey; these are just a few suggestions when barreling down on your opponent’s net. So go enjoy these new terms, and rip one into the twine!

(Above) The 7 Hole is left wide open for an opponent to score.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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It’s a Head Game – Concussions and Mouth Guards

Recent head injuries to high profile hockey players have shed light on an ongoing epidemic in the hockey world. But why have concussions been silenced for so long?

The culture of hockey has fostered a belief that an injury is a sign of weakness. In an attempt to avoid this perception, thousands of concussions go by unreported, leading to unnecessary disabilities each year.

Boston Bruins center, Marc Savard, is an unfortunate victim of a long-term brain injury, damage that could have been easily avoided if his concussion was properly diagnosed and treated. In hindsight, Savard feels it was not in his best interest to return to the ice as early as he did after receiving a concussion by Pittsburg Penguins Matt Cooke during a game on March 7, 2010.1 The consequence of his premature return found him having random dizzy spells, headaches, fatigue, and depression. If recent news holds up, Bruins fans can be thankful this Thanksgiving for Savard’s much anticipated return to the ice. After almost nine months of rest, Savard passed the final concussion test and has been cleared to begin full contact practice.

Professional contact sports leagues such as the NHL and NFL are taking steps to educate their players on the severity of head trauma with an implementation of new rules and regulations. Along with following established protocols, utilizing personal protection with mouth guards will also reduce accidental

1 http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/09/25/sp-savard-bruins.html#ixzz1681mXd00

(Above) Marc Savard lay motionless after a serious collision. Savard hopes to soon return to the game he loves

misfortunes on the ice. Wearing a mouth guard for ice hockey isn’t so much to keep your pearly whites intact, but more to act as a cushion by absorbing the blow your brain would receive when your top and bottom teeth/jaw bang each other during a collision.

Despite these precautions, head trauma can still occur. It is important to recognize a concussion and what actions to take when you receive one. Action does not mean returning to the game after missing a couple shifts to rest; it means visiting a doctor and following through with the determined protocol. Ending this epidemic will only be accomplished by spreading awareness to all levels of the hockey world: players, coaches and parents.

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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Get the Edge: Skate Sharpening

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran on the ice or just starting out, skate sharpening is a must for everyone, but is also a topic for debate. Since no skate sharpening can be identical to the last, the majority of hockey players prefer to get their skates done by the same shop each time. Some manufacturers have attempted to achieve blade uniformity by using robotic sharpeners, but others continue to rely on the trusty pro-shop guy who’s got skate sharpening down to a science.

If you’re a hockey player, you have probably heard the term “radius” thrown around in the locker room, or have been asked by your local skate sharpener what radius you’d like on your skates. But because there are two different types of radii per skate blade, it is important to know the function of each.

The most familiar radius on a skate blade is the Radius of Hollow (ROH) pictured right. On a single skate blade there are two edges. The ROH refers to the depth, or hollow, in between these two edges. ROH preferences vary for each individual, but are always relevant to the hardness of the ice you are skating on. If a player plans to skate on an ice surface that is harder than what they are used to, a hollow that is deeper than usual would be advised. Goaltenders typically get their skates sharpened with a 1 inch

hollow, thus allowing them to easily slide side to side in goal. Whether you are a forward, defenseman, or goalie, it is important to try out different ROH’s and find your preference.

Custom radius sharpening, or blade profiling, is one aspect of skate sharpening that isn’t frequently discussed, but very important. Buying the top of the line skate is always exciting. Your feet have a new home that’s likely to be more comfortable, durable and lighter than your old skates, but there’s another thing you can do to your skates that will help you reach your peak performance level: blade profiling, or “custom radius sharpening” pictured above.

When skating, only a small portion of the actual skate blade touches the ice at a time. The amount of blade touching the ice corresponds to the profile radius of your skate blade. Standard profile radii for senior skates include 9 foot, 11 foot, and 13 foot blade profiles. The larger the profile radius, the more of the skate blade will be touching the ice. It is important to pick a blade profile that meshes well with your skating attributes. A shifty player who wants to easily maneuver in the corners with quick turns would lean towards a smaller blade profile, while a defensemen looking to build up speed fast to join a play would lean towards a larger blade profile.

What most skaters are unaware of is that the majority of skates purchased in stores have factory blades with mismatched profiles. By getting a blade profile done you will be better prepared to reach your full skating potential.

For all of your skate sharpening needs, click here to find the FMC pro-shop and Pure Hockey store closest to you!

Make sure to check in with the next FMC newsletter where we’ll look into the evolving world of college hockey and what we can expect in future years!

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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Season Tune-Up Stretching

At this point in the year, chances are your hockey season has either begun, or you are squirming with anticipation for your team’s first game! But before hitting the ice with intense, revving force, remember to loosen up.

Right: Alexander Ovechkin stretches out before taking on the Boston Bruins

In order to reach your peak performance level on-ice, it is imperative you stretch off-ice. Imagine you have two rubber bands, one untouched and new from the store, the other worked and broken in, maybe wrapped around a stick a couple times. Stretch each rubber band to see which has more elasticity and you’ll discover that the conditioned rubber band has increased mobility, exactly what you’d like on the ice! Your muscles work in a similar fashion.

Every athlete has their own training technique and as an increasingly popular work out regiment, yoga has become a forefront in the hockey community for off-ice preparation. In fact, Boston Bruin and U.S. Olympic goaltender, Tim Thomas, attributes much of his success to his commitment to yoga. Thomas praised the implementation of this practice into his regiment saying it has helped him to "maintain a higher level of functional strength and flexibility throughout my body."1 (1 Source: http://www.radiusyoga.com/testimonials.htm)

Left: Tim Thomas attributes yoga to his on-ice success

Warm-ups can range from general calisthenics to targeting specific

muscle groups, but don’t have to be complex or time consuming. Performing a set of jumping jacks or jumping rope targets multiple areas of the body that requires a proper stretch which aids in top performance and reduces the risk of injury. Remember, your body is also a piece of your equipment and should be included during your pregame routines of fine tuning your gear.

Make sure to check in with the next FMC newsletter where we’ll look into skate sharpening and its common misconceptions!

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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Skate Sizing Tips for All Levels of Play

The start of a new hockey season often means aching feet for many hockey players. Whether your feet have become accustomed to a summer of sandal-wear or you’re a young player experiencing sporadic growth spurts, it may be difficult to rationalize when to purchase new skates or continue breaking in last year’s model. Here are some quick and painless tips to try before skating away in too-tight blades or making a major, unnecessary purchase.

When getting back in the game after a season away from the ice, it can be quite difficult for your feet to adjust to the tight quarters hockey skates offer. Before taking the dive and jamming your feet into last year’s skates, try this pain-free way to measure your skates. Simply remove the insole, known as a footbed, place it on the floor, and stand on it. If your toes stretch over the end, your skates are likely too small. However, if they’re resting inches away from the footbed, your skates may be a size bigger than you need which can hinder your ability to accelerate and maneuver on the ice.

"Since most hockey skate companies size according to Canadian measurements, skates typically run 1 to 1 ½ sizes smaller than U.S. shoe sizes."

If this initial test has resulted in a trip to your local sporting goods store, remember that skate fitting is an imperfect science. Jon Stone, Manager of Pure Hockey in Berlin, MA, suggests trying on multiple models during your skate fitting since sizes and fits differ between manufactures. And since most hockey skate companies size according to Canadian measurements, skates typically run 1 to 1 ½ sizes smaller than U.S. shoe sizes.

"To get the true feel of the length of the skate, it is important to kick your foot back into the heel pocket and focus on pulling the laces tight through the turn, or curve, of the middle eyelets rather than tightening them at the bottom or top. This is the area that will push your foot back in the skate and secure it in the heel pocket."

As for the cost of new skates, don’t let the price tag fool you! While you would think that buying the most expensive skates for your beginner skater would help them progress, chances are that it may actually hold them back. The rationale behind this is that the top of the line skates are fabricated for top of the line skaters. The boots of these skates are considerably stiffer than others, and the inability to flex the boot while accelerating, turning, or stopping may prove difficult for beginners during the learning stages. If extra support is needed, use some hockey tape to tightly wrap around the ankle of the skate boot.

Make sure to check in with the next FMC e-newsletter where we’ll give you the scoop on skate sharpening and a few pre-game routines that can strongly influence your performance!

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE

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Stick to It: The Inside Scoop on Hockey Sticks

Every year sporting good stores are flooded with the latest innovations in hockey equipment, including the prime tool, your hockey stick. It’s the piece of equipment that puts the puck in the net, right? So it’s no wonder that a stick is the most customizable piece of equipment you own. Customizable? That’s right. Players must choose the material, height and curve best suited for their needs.

MATERIAL:

When choosing a stick, players must decide on a carbon fiber or wood hockey stick. This is an important personal choice that can result in the purchase of a stick around twenty dollars, or one at a whopping $200. While one may be quick to think every NHL player uses that $200, one-piece stick, there are plenty of scorers who prefer wood. Take Colorado Avalanche’s Paul Stastny for instance, who uses a wooden stick to gain a better feel of the puck.

Some NCAA college level hockey teams have even gone to the extent of forbidding their players to use composite stick blades. If a player is not accustomed to receiving hard or fast passes, using a composite stick will make it even more difficult to play. It’s important to use a stick that you are comfortable with in every situation of a hockey game. While you may find that one stick improves your shot more than another, ask yourself: does this stick work for my overall play?

(Above) Paul Stastny celebrates a score with his wood stick at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC, CA.

HEIGHT:

The height of your stick will affect your handling, shooting, and passing. It’s a rule of thumb for beginners to cut the end of their stick just below the player’s chin, while on skates, to find their ideal beginner stick height. In time, players should be encouraged to try out different lengths. A longer stick will help a defenseman’s reach and may improve their slap shot. A shorter stick can improve a forward’s

CURVE:

The curve of your stick blade is another important decision based on personal preferences. These days you can find hundreds of different stick blade patterns. As a beginner, it’s important to know at least where to start in this decision making process. Almost every hockey player will change their blade pattern and curve at least once during their career. With so many available choices, the likelihood of picking the perfect fit during your first trip to the local sports store is quite slim. While choosing the biggest curve may improve your ability to shoot the put in the air, it may hinder your performance in years to come since using a big curve may affect the mechanics of your shot and handicap your ability to effectively use a stick with a smaller curve. Players tend to have a more difficult time adjusting from a bigger to smaller curved blade, so generally, it is advised to start off small and adapt to larger sizes over time.

Ultimately, choosing a hockey stick is largely based on personal preference with much trial and error while learning new skills and growing as a player. Parents should always ask young athletes what aspects of their game they want to improve upon and areas they are struggling in, because chances are they may be shooting with the wrong stick and a small change in material, height or curve may be just what they need in order to advance in the sport of hockey.

stick-handling and maneuverability. Again, it’s important to weigh the decisions you make while tailoring your stick, making sure it works globally for you as a player.

Here’s a common problem most hockey parents face with beginner players, "My child had a growth spurt since the last season, and their stick is a couple inches too short". If the stick is a composite one-piece, or a shaft, you’re in luck! FMC partner, Pure Hockey, and the majority of other local hockey stores, sell "butt-ends" –a wooden plug that extends the end of your hockey stick. The plug can then be cut to match the players desired stick length, resulting in a far less expensive cure to the growing pains of hockey.

Stay tuned for the next FMC E-Newsletter where we’ll discuss important elements of the hockey skate!

©FMC Ice Sports 2011 www.fmcicesports.com 1-888-74-SKATE