The focus for today’s morning session at both ages was backward skating and neural zone transition. After warming up, the 15′s worked on backward skating with an emphasis on edgework. This was followed by neutral zone transitions that focused on the D moving at speed from forward to backward coverage (simulated neutral zone turnover) with the forwards moving to a 2-1 shooting opportunity.
This was followed by a controlled scrimmage where situational play (shorthanded, powerplay, faceoffs) were emphasized.
The 16′s did pretty much the same things but I didn’t see the same edgework drills in the practice. Instead confined corner work was substituted where the emphasis on quick steps and quick transitions were required.
Random: It is interesting to hear the views of the spectators who are watching the girls. One of the most hotly debated issue in and around the message boards is the game vs. drills discussion. It’s the same here. On more than a few occasions I heard the argument that although someone isn’t good in drills or edgework, they are great in games and have unequaled ‘game-sense’.
Next up:
U15, off-ice and nutrition seminar this evening.
U16 games, I will have a report and photos later this evening and will post game scores throughout the afternoon and evening.
