Being open is not good enough
The Art of Being Available in Hockey
Hockey is such a fast-paced game with different situations and plays that happen every shift. If you want to be an elite player, it's not enough to just be open for a pass; you need to be available. While these two concepts may sound similar, they hold distinct importance on the ice. I want to shed light on the critical difference between being open and being available and emphasize how honing the skill of being available can elevate your game. We'll explore how to achieve this through targeted drills and small area games during our practice sessions.
Being Open vs. Being Available
Let's break it down:
Being Open: This term refers to a player's positioning on the ice where they are free from immediate defensive pressure. In other words, you're not directly covered by an opponent. Being open is undoubtedly an advantageous position, but it's only part of the equation.
Being Available: Being available takes it a step further. It means not only being free from an opponent's coverage but also positioning yourself in a way that makes it easy for your teammate to pass you the puck. You are in a spot where a passing lane exists, ensuring that your teammate can get the puck to you without interference.
The player in Green has the puck and is looking to make a play. The player in red is wide open. But he’s not available as the puck has to go through a few layers of defenders to get there. Ya, the player in Green can rim it etc. and we can get into how to get the player the puck in this situation in a later post, but for now, this is a simple illustration to show what I’m talking about
Why Being Available Matters
Being available is a game-changer for several reasons:
Efficient Puck Movement: Hockey is all about quick and precise puck movement. Being available ensures that your teammates have options and can move the puck efficiently to maintain possession.
Minimizing Turnovers: When players are available, they're less likely to force passes into tight spaces or make risky plays, reducing turnovers.
Creating Scoring Opportunities: Being available in scoring areas increases your chances of receiving a pass in a prime scoring position, making you a more potent offensive threat.
Team Cohesion: Teams that prioritize being available tend to develop strong chemistry, as players learn to anticipate each other's movements and positioning.
Watch how these highlighted players make slight adjustments to their routes or locations on the ice to be outside defenders’ stick or body lanes, becoming a much better option to receive passes.
Drills to Develop Availability
During our practice sessions, we incorporate specific drills and small area games to help players understand and develop the concept of being available:
Positional Awareness: We run drills that focus on spatial awareness, helping players recognize where they should be to provide a passing option. Players learn to scan the ice and adjust their positioning accordingly.
Quick Passing Drills: We emphasize quick and accurate passing in tight spaces. Players work on moving the puck to available teammates efficiently, simulating game situations.
Small Area Games: Small area games are a fantastic tool for teaching availability. These games encourage players to find open spaces, support each other, and create passing lanes in a fast-paced, game-like environment.
Decision-Making Drills: We incorporate decision-making drills that challenge players to make the right choice between being open and being available. This helps them understand when to move to an optimal position for a pass.
In hockey, the difference between being open and being available can make or break a play. While being open is undoubtedly advantageous, being available takes your game to the next level. It's about being not only free from an opponent but also strategically positioning yourself to receive a pass effectively. Through targeted drills and small area games, we can cultivate this essential skill in our players, leading to improved teamwork, reduced turnovers, and more scoring opportunities.