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Coaches 2009/2010

Head Coaches for 09/10 are in place!

Team Head Coach

Mites Mark Theriault

Squirt C Mike Johnson

Squirt B Seth Seidel

Pee Wee Bob Chesnutt

Bantam Geoff Palmer

Midget Sean Hinchliffe

U12 Jamielee Headley

U19 Wendy Peters

Michigan Small Area Games

Line Matching - Very important!

Some of you have some key games coming up, then possibly play-offs. Here is a little discussion on the concept of line matching.

I have used this extensively in the past, and most refs allow enough time for you to cheat this on the road. For our teams with shorter benches it becomes more difficult particularly when we have 3 lines vs opponent 4, but 2 lines vs 4 works well.

Another version is to always have a certain set of D players out against a certain opposing forward line, this is pretty easy to accomplish.

Another tool is if a team has a particular player that is doing most of the scoring, select a player to shadow that player and forget any offensive at all and just check the heck out of him. The shadow player has to understand the job, be a good all around skater but may be lacking in offensive talent, but be smart defensively. This needs to be practiced most players will not do well if you try this on the fly. They need to realize how important their job is to the possibility of winning the game. An extension of this is an entire checking line - all 3 players are there for defense ONLY, and will play against the other teams top line, you then get to play your top line against the opponents 2nd or 3rd line.

Use your "Time out"

A time out can be used for several purposes:

1. To get a specific group of players on the ice together

2. To discuss and set up a specific play

3. To change momentum

4. To pull the goalie

5. Achieve a line match up you like

or combinations, or all of the above.....

Of course the down side is that the other team gets to reorganize and make changes also during your time out. As with most things in hockey, timing is everything. In watching a lot of games the past few weeks from various associations, I noticed some coaches used the time out very effectively, and others missed opportunities. Making decisions on the flying during a game is difficult. I have some general rules I keep in mind to help.

- If it’s a one goal game (winning or loosing) there is probably a situation where I can take advantage from a time out

- Anytime my team allows 2 goals in a short period of time, using my time out may be a good choice (this even goes if it’s the 1st period)

- If I want my 5 best on the ice for the final 30-45 seconds, take a time out to give those 5 extra rest (some may have just been on the ice)

Best line ups

Being on the bench for a few games this weekend caused me to recall a common problem we run into, what's the best configuration for the lineup when we have odd numbers of skaters?.....this also comes in handy when you start with a nice even number for lines then have an injury........just my opinion - here goes any other ideas or comments welcome

15 skaters - well duhhh, 9 forwards, 6, D rarely happens!

14 skaters - 9 forwards, 5 D (alternate the 2 weakest D)

13 skaters - 9 forwards, 4 D

12 skaters - 2 best forwards alternate at center, 3 sets of wings, 4 D

11 skaters - 1 line of 3 forwards, one line of 4 forwards (the 3 wings rotate through), 4 D

10 skaters - if you have to ask you're fired

9 skaters - 5 forwards (1 of the 4 wings must double shift each time, rotate the double shift among the 4 wings), 4 D

8 skaters - 5 forwards (same for forwards as above), 3 D (change when tired)......if very tired you can play two groups of 4 (like shorthanded)

7 skaters - 4 forwards, 3 D drop in style changes

6 skaters - go directly to Fatty's !!!!

Early season observations

After watching 20+ games this weekend I saw a few common threads across most teams early in the season.

1. Break out attempts up the strong side led to goals by the opponent. We must get our players to utilize the entire ice, especially in the D zone. Most face off wins in the D zone should go behind the net and up the weak side. Neutral zone regroups should go cross ice, the D partner must call for the puck when they are open.

2. Think BODY first when we do not have the puck. A fun way to have the players get the experience the power of this is do some 5 on 5 in the zone (or 3 on 3). Have the team on defense play with out sticks. They will find that if they do not over commit, and keep themselves between the opponent and the net, play BODY first, they can hold off the opponents pretty well. Even with out sticks. This is OK for Girls & Squirts also (just no checking) but body position and light contact are still effective.

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