Coaches: Build A Team Of Players Willing To "Pay The Price" To Score

By Paul Lubanski

Quite often, you have heard me stress how critical it is to "protect the house" from a defensive perspective. ("House" is defined as the area directly in front of our cage--more specifically--if an angled line is drawn from each post to the respective down-low face-off dots and from the dots a 10 foot line upward/towards the opponents cage is created and then adjoined).

Today, however, we take the polar opposite approach by discussing the significance of the "house" from an offensive--or goal scoring--point-of-view.

Comprehensive studies have concluded that nearly ninety percent of goals scored at all levels are comprised of shot attempts originating from within the area described above. So of course, it stands to reason that we need to constantly and consistently emphasize to our players and teammates that they must "get inside" the house with their sticks glued to the surface fully prepared to blast a shot both quickly accurately.

Makes perfect sense--doesn't it? But as well all know--it is not as easy at it may sound.

I liken the house to the red-zone in football--an area where the pressure is on to accomplish (score) but the area in which to do so becomes compacted because of the close proximity to the end-zone (or in hockey--the net). So with less room--and huge and rough defenders hacking, whacking and generally making our existence miserable (we become even more "vulnerable" because we need to have both hands on our stick and cannot lift off the ice to protect ourselves)--we must fight to create our personal space and ultimately execute--just as in football.

It is probably the most difficult aspect of hockey--and requires THE most guts and determination to pull-off successfully.

With my teams--I refer to it as "paying the price" or PTP for short. In other words, those players willing to place themselves in a position to visit this designated terrain and suffer the within-the-rules abuse that is allowed (or missed by the officials) in hockey--will lead most teams to victory. And those individuals are pure gold for any coach, club or organization--pure, pure gold.

There are few exceptions on any level to the general rule outlined above stating that "paying the price" is an essential ingredient involved in measuring a players' (forwards) overall ability and contribution to a team's efforts . One former NHL player that stands out is this regard is former Detroit Red Wing, New York Ranger, New Jersey Devil , St. Louis Blue and Hartford Whaler--Brendan Shanahan. Shanahan amassed 656 goals in his career and virtually all came from the perimeter (areas just outside the house).

Simply amazing!

He was able to do so because of a lightning quick shot-release, combined with a very heavy and accurate cannon-like/one-timer shot. He also possessed a tremendous instinct as to potential puck-flow and positioned himself accordingly--especially while on the PP.

Few in the history of the game--less than a handful in my opinion--could pull-off what he was able to without visiting the house regularly. Incredible really. The neat thing about Shanahan is that his style was truly sort of a an enigma or oxymoron--he didn't get to close to the opponents cage but he was one of the TOUGHEST forwards (fantastic at winning one-on-one wall battles) and most punishingt fighters to ever play the game. He was quite easily someone who could have not only survived but thrived in the old six team NHL of the 40's, 50's and 60's.

Again, however--Brendan Shanahan's in hockey are almost Michael Jordan-like in basketball--phenomenally rare.

Hence, in closing coaches and players--I would recommend immediate efforts to internalize and commit to the notion of "paying the price" during your next practice and eventual game-play. If you do so, I guarantee a few more GRADE A's will be tabulated and viewed on the stat-sheet in-between periods and best of all--more goals in the GF column will eventually appear after games.

And scoring a goal in hockey--as well know--is one of THE best and most personally satisfying aspects of the sport. Not to mention the fact that --in the end--scoring helps our team succeed and move upward in the standings

And what coach, player or parent doesn't want to see that occur?

Best of luck..

Paul Lubanski:

paul.lubanski@yahoo.com

lubanski90@gmail.com