Originally published October 2023
These days I’m primarily learning about hockey from being a parent and a spouse.
Since Willy was born six months ago, Steph and I have discovered as much about each others’ personalities as we had in the previous seven years.
One area in which we fundamentally differ is how structured we like our daily lives to be. Steph is an artist who doesn’t mind leaving things unplanned until the last moment. I grew up playing hockey, a super-regimented sport where being on time means arriving at least 15 minutes early.
Steph frequently tells me “be flexible, go with the flow, you don’t need to think ahead all the time.” These words make my skin crawl.
The act of planning ahead induces stress for her, but reduces it for me.
But then I can’t do all the planning, else I get overwhelmed and she feels left out of important decisions.
You see how this can create friction inside a family. We’re still trying to navigate this whole thing.
Anyway, here’s how this quagmire relates to hockey.
Some folks I’ve encountered believe, like Steph, that being structured dilutes the essence of our sport, that being predictable is the antithesis of creativity and instinct.
I disagree.
If you have a plan you can improvise when it suits you. If you have no plan than you must always improvise. Starting with a clear plan helps us improvise better.
Here’s something that may surprise you:
When I teach offensive-zone play, I’m actually thinking defense-first. Of course I want my players to use their skillsets and take risks, but mostly I’m thinking about way to prevent one mistimed play from immediately creating an odd-men rush against.
If my players are unafraid to screw up, if they know how to watch other’s backs, then we automatically become more skilled, more creative. To play that way you need structure.
Asked & Answered: 2-3 vs. 1-3-1
Hi Jack, What are the differences between the 1-3-1 PP and the old umbrella? Just curious, also wondering if there's any core concepts that are similar that caused them to be popular at different points in time. Thanks for the help, Dan Hi Dan, The 1-3-1 and the 2-3 Umbrella are two modern OZ schemes increasingly embraced by high-level teams, both at even strength and on the power play.
Another example:
Players ask me how to be more deceptive. Here’s the answer I give them:
“Build out two good options for yourself in a given scenario. Pretend to do the first thing, and then do the second thing. Or pretend to the do the second thing and then do the first thing.”
It’s that simple. Too many options don’t help. Making stuff up in the heat of the moment doesn’t work. Practice two things repeatedly. Do one or the other. Rinse and repeat.
The best NHLers are remarkably structured in how they play the game. And yet it is precisely that unsexy quality that makes them look so creative, unpredictable on the ice.
Signature Skill: Artemi Panarin
A “Signature Skill” is an authentic expression of an elite player’s athleticism and imagination. In this series, NHL forward Sam Gagner and I identify and break down the details of some of the world’s best hockey players. Part 1: Artemi Panarin Part 2: