TOPIC: Strategies for Playing with the Lead
In just four seasons, Cam Abbott and his staff successfully revived the Rögle BK franchise, coaching the team from the brink of relegation to winning the Champions Hockey League in 2022. Closing out a nail-biting 2-1 victory against the Finnish team Tappara, Rögle held onto a 2 goal lead for 30 minutes as their opponents gave the club everything they had. At TCS Live, Cam presented the strategies the team used to protect the lead and secure Rögle’s first CHL championship - and is now sharing some of his favourite drills to reinforce the concepts in practice.
DZ Weak Side Rim Exit 2-0 with 2nd Shot
DESCRIPTION:
The drill starts with a forward in the corner skating and playing the puck to the strong side D. D cycles the puck hard around the boards. F2 in front touches the puck behind the net and the drill is live. All defensive players can activate and the drill is played out 5 on 5 in zone. The offensive team tries to hold onto the puck in the Ozone with possession for 30 seconds. If successful, the defensive team needs to finish its shift with a hard skate down and back. The other two lines are set up and waiting at the other end to do the same drill. Each lines gets two chances on offense.
KEY POINTS:
• Strong positional play.
• Quick support to puck on wall scrums. • Make a clean breakout when recovering the puck when possible.
5 on 5 OZ Keep Away
DESCRIPTION:
The drill starts with a forward in the corner skating and playing the puck to the strong side D. D cycles the puck hard around the boards. F2 in front touches the puck behind the net and the drill is live. All defensive players can activate and the drill is played out 5 on 5 in zone. The offensive team tries to hold onto the puck in the Ozone with possession for 30 seconds. If successful, the defensive team needs to finish its shift with a hard skate down and back. The other two lines are set up and waiting at the other end to do the same drill. Each lines gets two chances on offense.
KEY POINTS:
• Strong positional play.
• Quick support to puck on wall scrums. • Make a clean breakout when recovering the puck when possible.
6 on 5 Delayed Penalty Keep Away
DESCRIPTION:
6-5 Delayed Penalty Keep Away: The drill starts with every player stationary in their positions in the diagram. On the whistle, the team with the puck attempts to play keep away as long as possible 6 on 5. Work on puck support, triangle passes, and getting open to help keep the other team from gaining possession. Each line gets two attempts. Total time for each colors wins.
KEY POINTS:
• Players away from the puck need to move to open ice to provide passing options for the puck carrier and open up passing lanes.
• Lots of talking by offensive and defensive players.
