Possession v. Transition:A Left Brain Look

1214 Grade A

Scoring Chance Study

Scoring Chance Definitions Possession opportunities: controlled

possession in all 3 zones; 1st touch on breakout, deep NZ regroup or any attempt to delay the advancement of the puck

Transition opportunities: pucks gained by taking possession through defense with anticipation and movement to offense upon recovery of the puck.

Total Grade A Scoring Chances

1214Transition

59% (613)

Possession41% (493)

D Zone

O Zone

N Zone

D Zone

O ZoneN Zone

35%30%

61%

27%

12%

35%

27%(134)

12%(57)

61%(302)

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone

Possession Offense

“The puck moves from stick to stick and team to team. More than six times a minute, more than 120 times a period, it changes possession. Physically contested all over the ice, the game is in constant transition. Patterns disrupt and break apart, moods skip, unsettled in one, on to the next, spiraling higher. Three quick strides, coast and turn, and turn again, and stop; three more quick strides, a pass, checked, and three quick strides the other way. Fragments, hundreds of them, each looking the same, some going somewhere, most not, and as a player or fan you can never be sure which it will be.”

- Ken Dryden, The Game

Number of Possession San Jose Sharks 3 @

• 176 possessions • 45:29 min EVS• 29 shots / 2 goal• 14 Grade A scoring chances

Los Angeles Kings 6 (Gm4)• 177 possessions • 45:29 min EVS• 25 shots / 5 goal (ENG)• 10 Grade A scoring chances

Boston Bruins 3 @ Detroit Red Wings 0 (Gm3)• 179 possessions • 49:38 min EVS• 25 shots / 2 goal (ENG)• 13 Grade A scoring chances

• 175 possessions • 49:38 min EVS• 17 shots / 0 goal• 6 Grade A scoring chances

35%30%

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone

Transition Offense

35%

7.5 sec

Offensive Zone Neutral Zone Defensive Zone

Transition Time

5.3 sec2.8 sec

Defensive Zone

D-Zone Transition

35%(250)

Most Common DZT Situation• Individual & Team Defensive Execution

end play – separation from puck w/ body or defensive stick collapse – shrink zone defensively / cut off the top

• Goalie Rebound• Missed Shot or Pass• Offensive Blueline Play

blocked shot mishandle or weakside low release

DZT Success Factors Defensive Purpose – speed & efficiency 1st Opportunity Out Support - everyone is the way out Vertical Speed - play fast Stretch - offense Reads / anticipation D active - create four man attacks Confusion LRA Defence Drive Net for Rebounds

Neutral Zone

N-Zone Transition

30%(221)

Most Common NZT Situation• Poor Passing & Receiving Execution• Chip Out D-zone to Relieve Pressure• Line Rush Against

D gap control Reload - F3 position & track OBL turnover

• System Structure 1-2-2 1-3-1

NZT Success Factors 1st Pass Execution

quick up indirect

Tag Up Attacks weakside middle

Support Speed & Anticipation at the puck option stretch option

D Active - up tight & jumping into holes

35%(250)

Offensive Zone

O-Zone Transition

Defensive Structure balance D up ice in position to pinch

Pressuring D-core Below GL F1 creates a stall poor D execution

Pucks Behind D - creating & obtaining 1st Touch Poor Goalie Handles O-zone Hunt / Stay on the puck

Most Common OZT Situation

• F1 angles, pressure and separation • Puck Placement - chip to pressure / possession• F2, F3 up ice ready to pressure • D up ice tight with F’s in position to pinch• Quick Support to a stall/loose puck• Create Offensive Triangle – find open holes

OZT Success Factors

Defensive Fundamentals• Ability to End the Play

stick position angling checking

• Defensive Stick Detail contested passes contested shots physical & vision space

• Skating Speed & Agility• Defensive Support

Offensive Fundamentals• Passing & Receiving

accuracy tight congested areas under pressure multiple angles

• Puck Support• Skating Separation

cutbacks/escape in ozone speed & quickness

• Strength & Poise Over Puck edges stick

No Dust 2 Shot

LRA “Track” NZT

Tight Area 2v2 Transition

4v5 D-Zone Transition

Lemaire 2v2 Transition