Lifetime Hockey

Hockey is a game of conditioning, reflexes, speed and strength, but there are also significant psychological and intellectual aspects of the game that are often overlooked - especially by beginning players. Strategy issues that are addressed in this section include:

If you are a student of the game, you can read a lot of hockey books on some very complex strategies (multiple fore checking systems, a neutral zone trap, etc.).   These are interesting and fun to watch when good high school, college or pro teams execute such strategies. We have a list of books and videos we recommend in the Bookstore that go into detail about these advanced strategies.

However it is our experience that they are not especially useful to adult teams that are self coached and have infrequent practices. We think that there are some simple team strategies, based on each game situation, that seem to work well in adult recreational hockey. (But - hey if you can figure out a good way to execute the neutral zone trap more power to you. We will worry about making sure everyone on our team knows where the rink for next week's game is located).

In any hockey game there are key points where the momentum appears to be going for you or against you. These junctures can energize or discourage a player or a team. Let's explore those key points by beginning with the pre-game - in the locker room before the action begins.