Teaching hockey position is no easy feat. There are six different positions that a hockey player has to learn. These positions range from the most dangerous to the least. You have to start by teaching your player the basic skills necessary for each position before progressing to more advanced concepts. This article will guide you in the right direction by breaking down each element of the game and the specific skills needed to play each position.
Table of Contents
The Three Basic Positions:
The first position that you have to teach is the center position. This is the most important position in hockey because the center controls the game from the face-off to the final buzzer. When playing in the center, your goaltender has to keep the ball close to the net and out of the reach of the opposing team. This means that he is often forced to stand in the goalmouth and stop shots directly at himself. This puts a lot of pressure on the net minder, especially considering that he is usually the smallest player on the ice. Furthermore, the center position is the most difficult to master because it requires the player to have excellent vision, hands, and body mechanics. To make things even more complex, you have to consider the specific tactics that the coach might want to use that season. For example, if you are the coach and your team wants to play a faster game, they might want their center to be more aggressive. In that case, you will have to teach the player to be more aggressive and take greater risks. This is why most coaches start their center position training about six to eight weeks before the season starts.
The Two Wing Positions:
In hockey, the wing positions are the outside hitters who shoot the puck. These are the players who score the majority of the goals and set up the other team’s offense. The two wing positions are similar, but one is used more during offensive plays and the other one is responsible for deflecting shots during defense. One of the most important things to teach your player while he is developing his skill is how to use his body correctly while on the wing. This entails teaching them to use their skates and sticks properly so when they shoot, the puck goes where they aim it. Another crucial skill for a wing is knowing when to pinch and when to pull back. When you are taught to use your body correctly while on the wing, you will automatically develop the skill to shoot the puck with accuracy and power. This makes it easier for you as a coach to program each player to score goals in the ways that you want them to.
The Defenseman’s Position:
A defenseman’s primary responsibility is to protect the net and their teammates from the opposition’s threats. This includes blocking shots and clearing the puck out of the zone. Before your player can protect the puck, he has to learn how to prevent the puck from getting to the opposition in the first place. Defensive hockey is all about anticipating what the other team is going to do before they actually do it. To make this easier for the player, you can use a variety of strategies to teach them to predict the play and accurately take the right route to the puck. This will help them become a better all-around player and allow them to protect their teammates and the net with more confidence. It also helps prevent injuries by teaching the player to avoid becoming a sitting duck during a game. Once they master this fundamental skill, you can move them to the advanced portions of their training program which include stick handling, footwork, and shooting. These are the primary skills that a defenseman needs to possess before they can protect the net and their team with confidence.
The Goalie’s Position:
A goalie’s responsibility is to protect the goal by stopping all shots that come their way. This involves both mental and physical stamina because they have to keep their focus at all times and prevent themselves from getting distracted by things going on around them. Because of this, most goalies train year round, especially during the offseason so that they can remain at their best during the season. When playing in goal, the goalie has to handle a variety of shots that come from all angles and distances. This makes them a great all-around player because they have to possess exceptional vision, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes. Unfortunately, goalies are sometimes the first position to get injured in hockey because they are the one position where the other team’s shots are not meant for. This is why it is crucial to protect your goalie’s position by teaching them the correct way to handle all shots and stay mentally alert.
The Six Different Hockey Positions:
After you have taught your player how to protect the puck and the goal with the proper fundamentals, it’s time to move on to more specific positions. Below is a chart that shows the six different positions and their corresponding skills:
- Center (C): Vision, hands, and body mechanics
- Right Wing (RW): Vision, hands, and stick handling
- Left Wing (LW): Vision, hands, and stick handling
- Defenseman (D): Vision, hands, and anticipation
- Goalie (G): Mental and physical stamina, reflexes, and skills
- Power Play (PP): Shooting, passing, and skating
As you can see above, each position requires specific attributes, and it is important to focus on building these attributes before moving on to the next phase of development. In each position, you will start by teaching your player the basics and then progress to more advanced concepts. You can use a variety of methods to teach these positions including videos, pictures, and live coaching. Every player is different, and you have to find the method that works best for you. Once you have your foundation, you can add more content to their training program as they grow older and more experienced. This content can include things like strength training, agility drills, and more.