Banbury Bulldogs Skater Hockey Club

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Think Backwards

As an attacker, you are always looking for ways to get the puck/ball closer to the opposition's goal. Often you have a team mate in a better shooting position that you are yourself, yelling out for a pass so they can score (and you get the assist). Almost as often, the opposing defenders are between you, cutting off the pass and the goalkeeper is covering your shot. How do you get the puck/ball to your team mate?

At this time it is often profitable to think about passing backwards to one of your team who should be following in on the point. They could well have a better angle to your team mate and, if not, the pass should draw the covering defenders across and you may be left clear to receive a return.

Pass hard. If you don't the defenders will intercept. Remember, they are facing the 'right' direction to block your pass and you need to hit your target fast in order to complete the move before the defence can re-group on the other side of the goal.

Drop-Pass to deceive defenders

The drop pass, combined with a cross-over move is great to gain a clear run on the goal. To execute it effectively, the ball/puck carrier skates a diagonal line while their team-mate tracks the opposite diagonal, crossing behind the carrier. As the players cross, the ball carrier stops the ball and carries on skating. The player crossing behind collects the ball and heads for goal while the defender follows the original ball-carrier for a few seconds, not realising they no longer have posession. That is why it is important for the original player to keep moving as though nothing has happened. The longer the defender buys the deception, the better chance the new player in possesion has to get their shot away.