Playing H-O-P

Paul Lubanski Offers Another Brilliant Coaching/Playing Axiom: "H-O-P!"

A MUST Read For Coaches, Players And Parents --  Regardless Of Age Or Level Of Play

By Paul Lubanski

I once asked USA and NHL Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Mark Howe (son of Gordie) to describe to me what was the hardest he had ever been hit during professional game or practice-play. Without a nano-seconds' hesitation, he answered this way: "Easy, my teammate with the Red Wings-- Shawn Burr--in practice during a drill--ACCIDENTALLY!"

I wasn't surprised. I had long held post many years of observing the hometown Wings--that pound-for-pound, Burr was the one of the "heaviest-on-the-puck" players in NHL history. Howe concurred. "At 200-plus pounds, he was a monster to knock of the biscuit," Mark exhorted. It was one of primary reasons Burr competed for such a long tenure in the "Show". You see, it most wasn't because of his playmaking or pure goal-scoring skills. He simply won puck and territory battles all over the surface. Extremely important subset of a unique player's arsenal indeed--and one that all winning clubs must have an abundance of and are naturally-- always seeking.

Which brings us to  subject matter of today's column:
Playing HEAVY-ON-PUCK--or H-O-P.

All players have the ability to compete H-O-P, albeit some will always be more effective than others. This is so simply because playing H-O-P combined with more size and reach is a huge advantage as it relates to puck protection. Some players are naturally inclined to play H-O-P while others have to make a concerted effort to do so. Either way, coaches want and expect that all players lower their respective centers'-of-gravity and dig deep into the surface in order to create the strength necessary to play H-O-P.

And, don't underestimate the role that the mindset a player brings to each shift on the surface. In other words, one of confidence, full of bravado and completely devoid of fear must prevail for a player of any stature to compete with H-O-P successfully, consistently. The best and most prideful players convince themselves that "they alone have the right to the puck and will stop at nothing within the rules to keep or take possession of it."

Again, a ridiculously low center-of-gravity, along with the use of your rear-end, elbows, knees and shoulders are what enables H-O-P to ensue in players of all ages, sizes and shapes--all over the surface. Bringing along the right state-of-mind becomes the icing on the cake. So, become a player that is H-O-P and watch your career blossom. The smart scout and/or coach will take notice and be knocking on your door shortly thereafter. Or, dare I say "texting, e-mailing or even Facebooking'" in this new millennium!

Best of luck.

Paul Lubanski

Lubanski’s company ­– Wilderness Xtreme Sports – invents bold new takes on traditional sporting competition. See Paul star on YouTube in  “WILD GOLF: The Making of Wilderness Golf “  or visit www.wxsports.net.



BONUS TIPS

* COACHES: make certain to devise drills that create "puck-battle environments" (most especially along-the-wall). It is a lost-art and most certainly not practiced enough. Chart win/losses and award prizes to those that lead the club in "P-B Wins." constantly stress the fact that possession equates to playing both offense and defense simultaneously and leads to shift, period and game success...and all of the afore-mentioned begins with H-O-P!

** COACHES: Mark Howe was a terrific all-around defenseman (short-in-stature by today's standards) that virtually NEVER took a slap-shot from the point, even-strength or while on the PP. He developed a more accurate and quite deadly wrister from the blueline that his forwards appreciated big-time. Rarely blocked, he found their sticks and kept the puck low while getting the shot off far faster than the typical roof-scrapping defenseman in today's game. If I was coaching at high/elite level presently, my players would not be allowed to take a slapper' from the point unless it was a perfectly served-up one-timer. Teach your youngsters to emulate Mark Howe--the team and player will be better off for you having done so. Trust me.

Mark Howe - "always wrister"

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