Line changing

[turbodaze]

I have a question because I'm joining organized hockey for the first time. When it's your turn to get onto the ice, how do you know it's your turn and when your ready to go back in your bench (your totally tired)?

Also how long do you stay on the ice for that duration?

Does the head coach decide or you see a man come in so you take that person's spot?

I'm just asking this for future purposes. Thanks

 

[rayuelo]

Talk to your team mates about how to run changes. Ideally, everyone understands and follows the same protocol.

We are beginners, so we keep it simple, and in general, we try to:
- keep the shifts short
- if you're tired, you've been on for way too long
- you jump on when either the line or previous player in your position comes off (you need to be paying attention, as you don't want to miss this).

If you have a coach, they will generally let you know how the line changes work. We do this for my kids' house league teams.

Here is a great article by one of my favorite hockey bloggers, Justin Bourne, on changing on the fly (I wish my rec team was smart enough to do this):

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/08/01/rec-hockey-tips-how-to-change-on-the-fly/

Another perspective on line changes by the same guy:

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2012/...t-line-change-in-the-history-of-line-changes/

 

[PerpetualTankYear]

I'm guessing you would just roll lines, so all you have to do, is look for the person playing the same position as you (if your the RW, watch the RW on the ice) and jump when they do.

As for coming off, Shifts should be 1-2 mins, depending on how tired you are, and where the puck is. Only change when the puck is being dumped in, or your team is taking it up the ice.

 

[turbodaze]

And when the person is completely in the team bench, then you can leave the bench?

I don't want to go on the ice too early and get too many men on the ice right?

 

[IHaveNoCreativity]

30 seconds are ideal, go all out. Don't be afraid to change, usually up and down the ice.

 

[neksys]

And when the person is completely in the team bench, then you can leave the bench?

I don't want to go on the ice too early and get too many men on the ice right?

There's usually a bit of latitude there - as long as you aren't jumping into the play before the guy has left the ice, you can usually step on before the other guy has stepped into the bench. Your league may have more strict rules, but tou will be able to figure it out just by watching the more experienced players for a couple of shifts. You will likely see the guy on the bench open the door, stand up - when the player coming off is within a couple strides of the door, the guy on the bench steps on.

As for when to change, keep your shifts short. You burn a lot of energy in very little time out there, don't become a liability because you don't have the legs to chase down a puck.

Ideally you will change on a dump-in to the other end or at least when your team has possession. You don't want to change when the other team is rushing towards your end if you can avoid it - they'll score. That said, sometimes you might get trapped in your own zone. It happens. Do your best to keep your lungs from bursting and first chance you get, swap.

 

[kr580]

As for coming off, Shifts should be 1-2 mins, depending on how tired you are, and where the puck is. Only change when the puck is being dumped in, or your team is taking it up the ice.

Ideally 2 minutes is way too long. Skate your ass off for 60 or 90 seconds and get off.

And when the person is completely in the team bench, then you can leave the bench?

I don't want to go on the ice too early and get too many men on the ice right?

There's a little grace period where they let you both be on the ice at the same time. You have to time it right so when they're within a fair distance from the boards at your bench, say 5 feet, you can hop on while they're making their way off.

May I ask how old you are? Is it competitive youth hockey or adult beer league?

 

[ChrisNI]

As above...

Shifts should be about 60 seconds long.

To change make sure your line is up next or if it's pick-up then make sure you're next in line to go.
Follow the guy you're changing with(usually the guy on the line above you in the same position) So if you're 2nd line C, change when the 1st line C comes to change.
OR it can be that the first available forward changes when the first forward comes to change(same with D) it depends on how the team run it so ask someone to find out.

Once you do it once or twice it runs like clockwork.

 

[turbodaze]

Ideally 2 minutes is way too long. Skate your ass off for 60 or 90 seconds and get off.

There's a little grace period where they let you both be on the ice at the same time. You have to time it right so when they're within a fair distance from the boards at your bench, say 5 feet, you can hop on while they're making their way off.

May I ask how old you are? Is it competitive youth hockey or adult beer league?

Amateur Adult Hockey League. C Division which is for people like me with little or no organized hockey experience. I'm 26 years old.

 

[Fanned On It]

Also, if you happen to hop onto the ice while the player you're switching with is still on the ice just make sure you don't touch the puck until the other guy is completely off of the ice... this can sometimes result in a too many men penalty (I know it does in my men's league).

 

[kr580]

Amateur Adult Hockey League. C Division which is for people like me with little or no organized hockey experience. I'm 26 years old.

Ok, so it's probably a little more laid back and not so precise at that level. When you start out just ask how they're changing. If it's position for position just ask "Who am I changing for?" and they'll tell you the one person you're supposed to go on for. Just keep an eye on that guy and when he's skating towards you begin to hop over the boards.

If they're doing a rotation of next forward just keep track of what number you are in line. The first in line is usually the one who's been on the bench longest at that point. The person that just hopped off the ice will be last in line. When you're #1 in line and someone's coming off, get your butt over the boards, haha.

For a good change, ideally you'll be flying off the boards and beginning to skate away as he's reaching the door/hopping the boards. You don't have to wait for him to take a step off the ice, you can both be on the ice for a second or so, but only as long as he's showing effort to get off. Just make sure he's intending to come off before you go flying out.

Also, as Fanned On It said, if you hop on the ice and the guy you're changing for isn't completely off yet don't touch the puck. That'll get you called for Too Many Men most likely.

Just try not to change like this:


Edit: Here's a great video of the Sabre's bench. Watch how a player on the bench will hop over and skate away a second or two before their guy even gets to the bench. If the puck's deep in either end it's not that important to be super fast on the change but if the puck is around the bench area you don't want the players coming off to be lollygagging like they are in this video.

 

[turbodaze]

Also if our line scores a goal, we go back to the bench and a new line comes on right?

 

[Devil Dancer]

Also if our line scores a goal, we go back to the bench and a new line comes on right?

Not necessarily. It depends on how long your line has been out. I've had 2 goal shifts before.

It's really all about length of shift, so check the clock. If you go over 90 seconds you will be too tired and your teammates will hate you.

 

[CGNY87]

Also if our line scores a goal, we go back to the bench and a new line comes on right?

Depends on how long the shift was. Just try and change with your line (if your team has set lines). If all of sudden you are skating up ice with a wing or center you dont recognize you should probably change.

We have had a few times where a goal is scored early in a shift and the line will stay out there for a little longer

 

[sanityplease]

If you're new, follow your linemate/s. And, don't be afraid to get some advice from the 'nice guys/girls' on your team, they're often the better players who don't carry on like know-it-alls.

Have fun.

 

[Jarick]

When it's your turn to get onto the ice, how do you know it's your turn and when your ready to go back in your bench (your totally tired)?

If there are set lines, know the guy playing your position on the line ahead of you. When he comes off, you go on. If it's pickup, you go on when you are the last guy up the boards and the player coming off yells out the position you will play.

You typically want to change after 45-60 seconds. Change when your team has possession of the puck and is moving it into the offensive zone (either dump or carry).

If you're not changing after about 90 seconds, you are taking shifts too long. Watch the clock or watch who came on the ice before/after you.

Taking shifts too long makes you tired and lazy. If you are feeling fresh after 90 seconds, you're not skating hard enough. Nobody likes a guy who takes long shifts.

For me, I skate hard, try and get up the ice maybe once or twice, and then come off when we have the puck and are moving up ice. It's almost always 60 seconds or so.

 

[SouthpawTRK]

Jarick's post is on point with the OP's question in regards to line changing.

Not to hijack the thread, but a few other tips that are related to line changes.

#1. Go over the boards when going from the bench to the ice.

#2. Use the door when getting off the ice (if possible).

#3. On the bench, the defenders sit on the side nearest your own goalie, the forwards sit on the other side of the bench. If you are using the door to get off the ice (and if there are two doors for your bench), use the door on the side that you are sitting on.

 

[KA BLAMO]

You typically want to change after 45-60 seconds. Change when your team has possession of the puck and is moving it into the offensive zone (either dump or carry).

This point is very, very important. If you don't do this if can be very frustrating for your teammates and make you look lazy defensively.

 

[PierreMcGuire*]

And when the person is completely in the team bench, then you can leave the bench?

I don't want to go on the ice too early and get too many men on the ice right?

Leave the bench before your player enters your bench, the time to do it is when you know your teammate is coming up and skating towards coming off. You won't get a too many men penalty if your player gets off and you don't touch the puck before he gets off.

As for hopping the boards to get on the ice, I wouldn't recommended it for a beginner as it can prove to be difficult, and just not as effective if you can't do it gracefully.