Coaching time.
We've been playing pretty well but we're messing up a lot on offense. It seems like we're getting worse and worse in some simple areas and it's costing us goals and games. The forced passes are the biggest problem. If you aren't sure it's going to get through, hold it a little longer if you have time and wait for a lane to open up, drop it back to the d-man, or send it around behind the net (RB+up on RS). We end up with a million turnovers a game because of sloppy forced passes when there's nothing open. Don't be afraid to curl back out away from the net if there's no options. Slowing down a rush is better than forcing something that isn't there. I get that gaps close quickly and things like that. There will be an opening and by the time the pass gets there the gap is gone. It happens. But a lot of our turnovers are coming from passes that shouldn't be made in the first place. Just remember to be patient and that there are plenty of ways to make a good play.
When a pass across IS open, the pass receiver needs to make sure they're far enough outside so they can get a good angle on the shot. We get stopped a lot because the receiver has drifted too far in.
The second thing that needs a lot of work is positioning. A lot of times we have plenty of time to get set up in the offensive zone but people aren't where they need to be. When I'm looking to pass, I'm looking where you should be, not where you currently are. If someone isn't where they need to be, it throws me off. Also, the wings need to stay outside more. Often we have 2 or 3 players down low which gives us no passing options and simply makes a mess of things. The center should be the only player setting screens.
As far as positioning in the offensive zone goes, starting with when the defensemen have the puck:
(obviously these are backwards when the puck is on the other side)
When we actually manage to set up in the offensive zone and try to cycle the puck, we cycle through Viz quite a bit. So these are mostly based on that.
When the LD has the puck:
The LW needs to make sure they stay out on the boards to give the LD a passing option.
C should be in the slot setting a screen for the LD.
RD should drift towards the middle of the ice to give the LD a better passing option as well as getting in position to get a good shot off.
RW needs to find open ice and try to draw defenders away.
If the LD passes over to the RD:
C stays in front trying to set screens and lining up for a deflection.
LD should stay put or drift out of the zone in case RD is pressured. If we have to move the puck back to the LD out of the zone, it's not a big deal. Resetting the offense is a lot better than turning it over.
LW should drift in and look for a rebound from RD's shot.
RW should drift back to open up a passing option.
If LD passes down to LW:
C should move into the high slot to provide a good passing option/scoring chance.
RW should move to the opposite side of the net for a crossing play, or if the C is getting chimped down low, move behind the net for an open passing option.
LD needs to stay pinned to the boards to provide an outlet. If the defenders had chased the puck down low, this frees up a lot of room for the LD to work.
RD should stay high in the zone in case the puck slips through or a turnover happens.
Next, our offensive rushes have been pretty sloppy lately. Partly because of the forced passes and partly because people aren't going where they need to go. Way too many turnovers because of sloppy rushes. We need to use the dump in more and we need to start communicating better on entry. Way too many offsides lately and too many dump-ins that happen when forwards aren't expecting it.
When we do have free entry to the zone, we get impatient and that's what leads to the forced passes and turnovers. As I said before, we need to be patient if we have time. Make sure we're looking for the best possible scoring opportunity.
When we're coming in the zone:
When the C brings the puck in:
Both LW and RW need to move down low.
C should quickly evaluate the best option, move that way, and make a pass to the winger down low for a shot or cross crease pass to the opposite wing. If nothing is open, the C should maneuver to open ice and cycle the puck until we can get the offense set up.
When the LW/RW bring the puck in:
LW should bring the puck deep in the zone if possible and look for several options.
C should stop in the high slot for a shot option.
RW needs to go to the far side of the net and look for a cross pass.
If neither of those options are available, the LW should take a shot, or curl back to the outside and move the puck back to LD so we can get the offense set up.
If the opposing team is clogging the slot we can work a simple play to try to draw the defenders away from the net. I've been trying to set you guys up for goals on something like this quite a bit lately. A lot of teams run things like this because they're easy and they work. There's no reason why we can't.
The RW should head straight for the area below the goal line.
C should be finding an open spot in the slot for an excellent scoring opportunity.
The LW should pass the puck around the back of the net. If the defenders chase and leave the lane to the C open, LW should make the pass into the slot. If that isn't open, then the LW should pass to the RW who can then look for an open lane to the C, pass back to LW, or send the puck back around to the RD who should be positioned along the boards.
Next, when we're coming out of the zone, we need to get the puck moving out of our zone faster. Defensemen have to move the puck and forwards need to make sure we're not all jumbled up in the middle of the ice. If the defensemen are being pressured, the forwards need to hang back and help out. We can't be turning the puck over in our own zone. If one of the defenseman is bringing the puck all the way up, the forwards need to rotate so that one is covering the LD's position.
Next, there is way too much chasing the puck going on in both ends of the ice. In the offensive zone we need to try and stick to the proper positioning that I have already mentioned. In the defensive zone, all 5 players constantly end up below the faceoff dots and nobody is covering up high. Defensive zone coverage should be something like this:
Obviously those aren't concrete because the opponents aren't always going to stick to their positions. Wingers have gotten really bad lately about chasing the puck down low. That forces the C to have to cover both the dmen and the slot. When the LW is down in the RD zone, that leaves WAY too much open ice for the other team. Playing smart defense is going to shut the other team down as well as make our transition game a lot easier.
Finally, Communication needs to improve as well. We need to get better about saying what we're going to do in advance so everyone else can be prepared to make the best possible play. If you can't wear a mic for whatever reason, it's fine, but it really does help out if we can all hear what's going on.
Like I said before, we're playing fairly well but these are just a few things we could do to really make things easier. This post isn't directed at anyone in particular because we're all guilty of these mistakes. We just need work better as a team and play smarter hockey.