Module 1.1: Areas of the Ice Introduction
(Transcribed from How to Play Hockey: Our Minor Hockey Coaching Course.) Today we will make sense of different areas of the ice. Where to be or where to go on the ice that have left you or your players thinking “What?!” This basic overview will get us all on the same page as we dive into some very detailed descriptions throughout the course. Have no fear. This video script will enable you to talk and navigate like a pro.
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Video 1: Areas of the Ice: Making sense of where to be on the ice….
In this video we are going to discuss the inside of the ice, the outside of the ice, up ice and down ice.
Inside of Ice:
The inside of the ice is the middle of the ice in between the dots. If we say we are going to ‘plug up the middle’ or the ‘inside of the ice’ it means the same thing.
Outside of Ice:
If we say we are going to force a player to the outside, it is one side or the other from the dots out. So I would forecheck coming up into the offensive zone, inside to outside, or from the middle to the outside.
Up ice:
If I say get your feet up ice, that means point your toes, face and stick in the direction you are trying to attack. If you are breaking out of this zone, and you are the winger, you want to have your feet and face pointing up ice, so that as soon as you receive the pass from your defense you can begin skating.
Down Ice:
Down ice is naturally the opposite. If you are a winger and you are facing your own end zone you are facing the down ice. We often get into trouble when you are facing down ice.
Another time we will talk about down ice or up ice is when the defenseman is in front of your own net. If you have your feet and face pointing down ice staring at your own goalie, you don’t know what’s going on in front of you. Try to have your feet up ice as much as possible, where you are able to communicate with your teammates and have a full field of vision to see what’s going on.
Summary
- Inside of Ice (middle, between dots)
- Outside of Ice (dots to boards)
- Feet pointing up ice, in the direction of the attack
- Feet pointing down ice, in the direction of your own end zone
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