Defending in our zone... wrap the puck around hoping to get it out, opposing D steps up and sends it back in.
20 seconds later, send the puck around to the same side, opposing D steps up and sends it back in.
20 seconds later, same thing in the same place
Wingers -- you get maybe one freebie because we all make mistakes, but step up on the ****ing defenseman at the point if he's repeatedly extending possessions.
Ya, that’s one of my big ones- had a captain tell the team the wingers gotta come down to the corners and he wanted me to support his idea- I gently said that it depends on the play, but they gotta be able to get to the point as well. That’s where our problem was, the opposing D hemming us in and our wingers being unavailable for outlet passes.
Forwards that keep backing up and backing up and soon they've backed up all the way past their own defensemen. I mean come on, pressure the puck carrier and if he gets past you, that's why you have d-men.
I was primarily a forward, didn’t realize how bad our team was until I tried D for a few games. Dear lord, if you’re a forward still skating backwards at your own blue line there’s a problem. Challenge the guy, I ended up in the corners just waiting for the forwards to do something as the opposition shot from around the circles.
The other big one for me is moving to passing lanes/skating. Don’t slap your stick on the ice when you’re stationary and covered, that’s a good way to never get passed to again. Separate from your man, move your feet before I even have a chance to see you. I’ll look up and find the dude who’s widest open, don’t worry about that- but if you’re standing right before the point man that breakout pass isn’t happening, I’ll just skate it up myself and make you follow me.
Also had a teammate mention that maybe I forgot he was lefty- keep in mind I was playing well below my level (hence all the above) and this dude didn’t do shit on defense, didn’t pass, just wanted me to feed him goals. Like- ok man, and you’ve got a backhand, figure it out my guy. I swear, fed him a tap-in 3 feet from the net and he has the audacity to critique me for not passing to his covered forehand.
Also 5 minute shifts from talented players. I absolutely exploded on a kid for that. Dude completely gassed himself and gave up a goal when he was playing 4 levels down from where he shoulda been, and it f***ing enraged me. Plenty of guys want ice time, it was normally forgiven because he was good, but he stopped being good 3 minutes in. Hit the bench hot dog.