What is Puck Management in Hockey?

Managing risk during a hockey game

What is Puck Management?

Puck management is the ability to properly care for the puck, given the situation.

A more accurate name would be “puck risk management.” Quality puck management leads to less dangerous plays against your team and can even lead to more possession and chances for your team.

Related: Line Changes

Related: Playing fast vs slow

Puck management is pretty a simple concept but can be difficult for players to truly grasp as they want to ‘make something happen’ every time they are on the ice. Players with great puck management habits understand the big picture and how their actions affect the rest of the team.

Greg Revak, CFP® @CoachRevak

Clip of the day - Rush, Puck management Sometimes the best play starts by realizing you have limited options + even lower odds of success. Protect the puck and wait for better looks Example of bad puck management to start and end. Good plays in between leading to goals

Coach note - If you are on Twitter, search “@CoachRevak” and “Clip of the day” at the same time to pull a bunch of concepts with video examples.

Puck (Risk) Management

Johnny Gaudreau understands the difference between an attack puck and a possession puck. Rather than trying to make a great play with every puck touch, he’s willing to move the puck to a teammate who can see the ice better.

Less risk-aware players often attempt the spectacular regardless of the rest of the team's situation.

What seemed like a harmless turnover was actually quite consequential and resulted in a goal against.

Developing Puck Management

Young players often have puck management issues, as they want to make a low-percentage play or dangle opponents.

It’s important that coaches communicate how these actions affect the team. For example, trying to dangle through a team while your team is changing is often an easy turnover, counterattack while your team is disorganized, and a high-quality chance against.

A good starting point is understanding the difference between the aforementioned attack/possession puck and understanding when and how to go 1v1.

When a team is vulnerable, it’s time to switch to a risk-mitigation mindset. When a team is well-protected, players can - and should - take more chances. Understanding the difference can pay massive dividends in the short and long-runs.

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Further Reading

• Developing a great sense of puck management by understanding the difference between an Attack Puck vs a Possession Puck

• Quality line changes matter. Here is why and strategies to change better

• Undercutting your opponent is a great way to gain a competitive advantage over the course of a game. Line change strategy for a competitive advantage

• Team defense: Becoming a Jedi as the force defender. How players can influence play, protect their team structure, and give their teammates more time to change

• Line changes are vulnerable times for any team. When should players play fast vs slow?

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