Just like any sporting activity, hockey teams heavily rely on strategy and skill as well as effectiveness to give the desired results. Right from the time players get onto the pitch, every move they make is influenced by the systems and strategies that are laid down by the manager.

Understanding how these systems and strategies work is crucial, not just for the players but fans who are interested in how a game turns out. In this article, we articulate how hockey tactics shape winning sides.

Hockey systems

At the center of every successful team lies well-defined systems that dictate the player’s position, communication as well as response to the flow of the game. It goes without saying that a team which adheres to a strong system maximizes its strength. 

Ice hockey systems, as sports pundits put it, are the structured approaches that are used to control the game, prevent scoring, and ultimately create opportunities. The variation of systems largely hinges on the coaching philosophy, players’ characteristics as well as the game in question. A discussion about hockey systems is not enough without mentioning Mike Babcock. 

This is a highly regarded hockey coach whose strategies have been instrumental in shaping the team’s approach to the games. He has been cited in several quarters as a reference point for anyone looking to understand the impact of systems on game results. According to commentaries by Dan Robson and Katie Strang at the New York Times, Mike Babcock’s structured system-based approach contributed greatly to the success of the Detriot Red Wings and Maple Leafs. This is a testament that systems are powerful and if used consistently can take a team to great heights.

Development camps

It is undoubtedly clear that development camps have an important role in shaping a team’s strategy. Take the Calgary Flames development camp, for instance, this has been an important platform for prospective players to learn the intricacies of the game. In these camps, players have an opportunity to learn about the team’s specific systems as well as get well-grounded on the roles they are to play within those systems. 

Other benefits of these camps include:

• Development camps are known to focus on skill enhancement as well as the mental aspects of the game. 
• Young players get an opportunity to learn how to read plays, anticipate movements, and make quick and accurate decisions when under pressure. 
• Emphasis is put on teamwork and communication, two important aspects for any player who is looking to execute systems effectively.
• Commentators agree that camps are crucial in providing players with an opportunity to bond and develop good chemistry with other players. A team that exhibits strong relationships, not just on the pitch but also when informally interacting has a greater chance to perform well.

Adapting tactics 

Adapting tactics based on the flow of the game normally leads to success. Teams have used this strategy when faced with high-stakes games or in a situation where opponents are familiar with their moves. Coaches need to adjust their strategies based on the team that they are facing at any given time.

A game should be highly responsive to the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. This statement is well aligned with Sun Tzu’s famous quote that goes… “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” 

For example, when a team finds itself facing an aggressive forecheck, there is a need to alter the breakout strategy as a counter tactic. They may involve making quick and short passes to shift the defensive zone or employing of stretch pass as a way of bypassing the forecheck.

Team culture

Tactics are just part of the equation when it comes to a team’s success; other factors also come into play. One of the factors is the team culture. As Mike Doyle states, “what the players do off the pitch plays a significant role.” Similar sentiments are  observed in an article written by the University of Pennsylvania, teams with a positive culture are likely to foster an environment where players feel free to communicate openly as well as take risks. Openness will give room for better execution of tactics, as well as increase trust among players.

We are in agreement that hockey plays and strategies are important to shaping winning teams. From the structured systems to the development camps that nurture young talent, it is evident that strategy rules. Adaptive teams, fostering strong relationships, and cultivating a positive culture are also important factors for a team that is looking for success on the pitch. It is important for the players as well as fans to understand these tactical nuances, as to a greater extent, they are critical in the pursuit of victory.

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