Brandon Naurato is from Michigan, he played four season for the Wolverines, he was the Assistant Coach of their men’s hockey team when he presented on ice at TCS Live 2022, and now he's the Head Coach and a frequent collaborator with TCS. Check out his course Mastering Pro Shot Selection & Goal Scoring.
Naurato’s hockey background is vast and includes three years as a Player Development Consultant with the Detroit Red Wings, before returning to his alma mater. Prior to that Naurato specialized in on-ice skill-based player development; his clients included NHLers Zach Werenski, Jack and Quinn Hughes, Dylan Larkin, Kyle Connor, Andrew Copp, and Josh Norris.
All this to say Naurato is a big name in hockey. If you’re unfamiliar with why, watching his TCS Live presentation will change that.
In it, Naurato, who played four years in the pros making stops at Stockton (ECHL), Toledo (ECHL), Port Huron (IHL), Fort Wayne (CHL), and Dayton (CHL), introduces the decision zone, an offensive area of the ice to the left and right of the face-off circles.
“The biggest thing about why I believe the decision zone is important is because of the following plays: you’ve got options to the high ice, options to bumper support and rim release options low. That’s tough for a defence trying to keep you in a quadrant.”
Naurato’s on-ice presentation begins and ends with numerous examples from NHL play. Learn about the Problem-Solution-Action plan as he discusses the three moments in a game (you have it, they have it, 50/50 race), pressure vs. containment, when to attack vs. possess, and why it’s important to stay out of the cemetery.
Noteworthy Timestamps:
- 00:00 Introduction to Offensive Strategies
- 03:01 Understanding the Decision Zone
- 05:57 Possession vs. Attack Dynamics
- 09:06 Creating Offensive Identity
- 12:09 Analyzing Goal Scoring Patterns
- 15:03 Technical Skills Development
- 20:11 Tactical and Transferable Skills
- 25:01 Puck Support Drills
- 28:26 Drills and Decision Zones
- 31:31 Puck Support and Constant Motion
- 37:25 High Ice Play and Offensive Strategies
- 45:15 Constant Movement and Team Dynamics
