There is NO "I" in "TEAM"

One of the hardest things for a hockey player to do (often times) is pass the puck. The golden rule is for your team to have control of the puck longer than the other team, not you have the puck longer than anyone else on the ice. We all love to score goals, but we need to also master the art of play-making and being a creative player away from the puck. Team play is so much more than what you do when you have the puck. Following are a few of the forces working against becoming a well rounded Team Player in today’s hockey world.

Pass only as a Last Resort Syndrome
An awful plague that places passing the puck at the bottom of our decision making process, only as a last resort when all other options are exhausted. Teams comprised of players who hesitate to pass struggle. Some say that Wayne Gretzky thought like a computer, always having several options for each possible decision. Since his head was always up with his eyeballs scanning the ice for creative plays, Wayne’s deadliest weapon was his unmatched ability to work with his teammates to create a complicated, yet simple and perfectly executed game of chess on the ice. "If I go this way then pass to him, he might go this way, but if he goes this way, I’ll pass then go that way...." Wayne could make such decisions faster than anyone else and always thought pass first. Wayne was encouraged to be creative and to be a student of the game. As a young boy, while watching Hockey Night in Canada, Wayne used to sketch the movement of the puck onto a piece of paper. At the end of the game, he would analyze his doodles and would make a mental note of where the puck is most likely to be. "Then I would make sure I was there". As I always say, "If you want the puck, get into position to receive the puck.....be Creative".

Players who do not continually look to advance the puck to a teammate in a better position tend to be players who lack fundamental skating and puck control skills. Passing and advancing the puck is an advanced skill and is often overlooked when skills lack.

Scoring beats my allowance
There are many small businesses within the hockey families across the country and in my opinion, far too many damaging financial transactions and hurtful messages. "For each goal you score, I will pay you a dollar". That’s what kids made when I was playing youth hockey, I’m sure it’s more like two or three dollars today. This sends messages promoting selfishness and adds to the pressure on young players. "If I don’t score, mom and dad will be disappointed". I was at the profitable end of several transactions as a youngster and racked up more than enough money for hockey cards at fifty cents per ASSIST. I am thankful that my father saw the value of teamwork and creativity.

But I am the best player on the team and there’s no one to pass to.

If this is the case, use your skills, leadership and creativity to make your teammates better. You can’t do it by yourself. Be a positive leader. If you really are that good, your teammates look up to you. If you are negative and condescending, the team will take on a negative tone. Emotions are contagious, especially negative emotions.

There is a "best" player on every team. But how do you define "best"? All coaches like individual skill, it’s a must, but a good coach loves to see creativity when you don’t have the puck.

I was wide open, why didn’t you pass me the puck??

When you don’t have the puck, do you stand still and bang your stick while you are 60 feet away from the puck? Again, if you want the puck, get into position to receive the puck. Make it EASY to get you the puck, by greeting the passer in a passing lane with your stick on the ice. Keep your feet moving and communicate both vocally and with body language.

How well do you fit into the team chemistry both on and off the ice. Will you go to battle for your teammates or are your own interests all you battle for. No one remembers the first twenty games of an NHL season, rather is it the final playoff run that defines dynasties and championship teams. The further you go, the more important your ability to be a team player becomes! Great players make those around them better which in turn improves the team’s performance.

Real Reasons for Becoming a Team Player

The ice gets smaller
Players who are able to "wheel and deal" during youth hockey will find that available time to hold onto the puck decreases drastically as we climb the hockey ladder. Not many NHL players can do what a few early bloomers can do in the rinks across the country. You will learn to depend on the skills and creativity of your teammate at some point in your career, the sooner the better.

A skill-set for Life.
Hockey is a tool for life. Develop strong individual skills, but learn to work well with others. Learn to use the skills of others to better your own. I read an interesting study a few years ago that concluded that employers actively seek successful undergraduate athletes. Employers understand the value of the competitive athlete on a successful team. and say that a high level athlete is better prepared for the work force and the real world. Some recruiters went so far as to say that they went after National Championship players because they "must" have a special skill-set (skills to perform under a variety of situations and with several teammates) that will easily conform to the professional work setting.

Also, apply a team player’s ability to be part of a successful family or to be involved in a successful relationship. Encourage your son or daughter to be a team player.

What’s the fastest way to move the puck?

There is not a hockey player alive that can skate as fast as the puck can travel. A ten foot pass is often the best option. A pass doesn’t have to be the impossible pretty pass that travels the length of the ice, goes between legs and puts your teammate on a break-away. Pass tape to tape so that the puck "melts" onto the blade of the receiver.

Russian Experience

I recently coached a group of USA Select Peewees throughout Europe where we had the rare opportunity to play a top Russian Peewee team. The Russian’s skills were exceptional and their team play was a treat to watch. It was a pleasure to be beat by more than 2 touchdowns. I never thought I would say that, but the US kids learned a valuable lesson during that painful 60 minutes. As a coach who appreciates teamwork, all I could offer my team were short responses. Q: "Coach, can we play the body more?" A: "If you can catch them". Q:"They’re breaking out at will, what should we do?" A: "Nothing, just learn from it" The Russian work ethic and team work was everything I hope our players in the US can someday enjoy.

Hierarchy - Team Play

ON ICE AWARENESS

TEAM PLAY

PUCK CONTROL SKILLS

SKATING SKILLS

One can not become a Team Player simply by understanding the benefits that result from a collective effort. That however is a great start.

Team Play is a product of sound fundamental skills, Skating and Puck Control Skills. Once you are an accomplished skater (the most important skill to perfect) and have soft, creative hands, you have the skills to become a team player. With these three skills, the game takes on an entirely new dimension. With the introduction of creative "on ice awareness" comes a well-rounded on ice hockey player which in turn becomes a threat on the ice. The hockey world can only hope that another Gretzky will enter the game.

This article was written by Shawn Killian, Director of Planet Hockey Skills Camps and the Planet Hockey Ranch in Salida, Colorado. For more information on all Planet Hockey Programs including Training Videos and coordinating a Planet Hockey Skills Camp for your Association or Group contact Planet Hockey at 1-800-320-7545 | www.planethockey.com | shawn@planethockey.com

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