To hear Barry Smith describe positionless hockey is to truly understand how to play the game without the puck. One of my coaching teammates in Cranbrook has been banging the drum for positionless hockey since the day we met. He interrupts me to talk about it even if we're talking about movies or family or something - it's exhausting*. 

The key for me is to look at positionless hockey when players don't have the puck. I believe positions are important when you have possession. A stay at home defenceman with a shovel for a stick doesn't need to be leading the rush consistently. Every now and again? Sure, magic could happen. But it's not ideal to have your skilled forwards existing outside the offensive action either. 

On retrievals, however, the most important element of improving the condition of the puck isn't skill, it's positioning. Not positions mind you, positioning. Location. Proximity to the puck. If Connor McDavid is the first to the puck, great, that's the player you want with the puck. But if the superstar is late to the play, then the conscientious player with good habits who arrives to the scene first? Get the puck and get it moving - regardless of your preferred position. 

This presentation from Barry Smith struck a chord because I realized he's been talking about this for years. He's a veteran. The Russian Five in Detroit played wherever they wanted and it worked pretty well. Nicklas Lidstrom came along afterwards with Steve Yzerman and they kept winning. Sergei Fedorov was playing defence at one point? Sure, why not. Smith tells a great story about Slava Fetisov playing right defence and right wing. When Smith was in Chicago with some great players it was the same deal while they were winning Stanley Cups. 

Specify possession when it comes to positionless hockey, and suddenly we have a concept rather than a system. It's something we should be teaching to young players on a regular basis. 

• First player to the puck retrieves and makes a play
• Second Quick: the second player in for support, and they should get in there quick (don't over-think this one)
• Third player supports as an extra layer just outside the battle
• Four and Five protect potential exits from the opponents depending on area of the battle (D-zone corner, offensive zone, slot, etc.)

*Just kidding Nard Dog

Check out this snippet from Smith's presentation and view the full video here a membership to The Coaches Site.