Hockey is a Possession Game {PG}

It's often said that the team that wins the PG generally wins the hockey game. There's no concept more important to teach young players learning the game of hockey than "The Puck Is Gold". The technical hockey skills of the players is important but equally important is the ability of the players in possession of the puck to manage the puck to retain puck possession and control. It's more fun playing with the puck than without the puck so it should be an easy sell to teach young players how to manage the puck and support the puck PG in all three zones. Playing a 200' game in support of the puck offensively and defensively is essential to winning the PG. 

I recently listened to a young coach on thecoachessite.com speak about a drill that required the players to make quick passes to distriubte the puck in a tight space to learn the concept that "The Puck Is Gold". The easiest play in hockey to defend is 1v1. Much harder to defend is a group that knows how to distribute the puck and support the puck as a connected cohesive group in position to support the advancement of the puck. 

To teach the concept of "The Puck Is Gold" it is essential to teach the principles that must be followed to manage the puck and to retain puck possession and control which aren't new to the game. The following principles were obtained from Anatoli Tarasov's book and have been used by Pep Guardiolas Football (2015).

Key Principles of the PG

1. Retaining puck possession is of key importance.
2. Retreating and rebuilding attacks is encouraged when appropriate.
3. Ice hockey is more about what the players without the puck do than those with it. 
4. Interchange positions to create confusion and openings.
5. Constantly move to create confusion and openings.
6. Attack with speed and counterattack as quickly as possible whenever possible.
7. Pass the puck and then immediately move to make yourself availble for a return pass option.
8. The puck belongs to your teammates.
9. The purpose of having the puck is to return it to a teammate.
10. The player with the puck should have a minimum of two passing options at all times {TLPF Hockey}. 

The key principles of the PG are observable habits. Watch a really good Possession Team like the Tampa Bay Lightning coached by Jon Cooper. You will recognize the principles of the PG and the concept of "The Puck Is Gold" on display in all three zones in the execution of the tactis and systems. Watch the concept of the puck is gold in the execution of the following systems play, such as but not limited to:

• Breaking Out DZ Pucks,
• Neutral Zone Regoups,
• Attack Rush Play,
• Transition (Defence to Offence) Play,
• Offensive Zone Play,
• Power Play,
• Attacking the Middle of the Ice.

The best players and the best teams demonstrate their technical skills in the mangement of the puck. The Puck Is Gold is a really important concept to teach kids. Teach how to recognize play options and choose the best option. The responsiblity for making a good decison with the puck rests with the player and you want to teach accountability. When your team has puck possesion and you aren't a passing option you are playing short handed.  

When you turn the puck over to the opponent demonstrate the ability to get it back. The puck is gold so demonstrate by your habits that it's gold and that you know how to manage the puck. Reviewing game video is a really good way to learn how the best players and teams manage the puck. Watch how they arrive on time and set quality passing lane options and choose to distribute the puck more than transport the puck.