Defense Game Evaluation

Defense Game Evaluation - Offensive Zone Play
Player: First and Last Name	Date: DD/MM/YYYY
(1 - poor 2 - fair 3 - good 4 - very good 5 - excellent

Offensive Zone Coverage - Defense Only
Explanation of Tactic: CAN / DO YOU:		Ranking
1	Jump up to assist in attack	1	2	3	4	5
2	Hold the blue-line (did not back out early)	1	2	3	4	5
3	Get the puck through to net from point - not blocked	1	2	3	4	5
4	Hit the net on point shots	1	2	3	4	5
5	Read the play in the slot and played puck to open man	1	2	3	4	5
6	Pinch intelligently - Kept the puck in the zone	1	2	3	4	5
7	Read the play, move in deep and support back side pass	1	2	3	4	5
	Totals:	score			/35

In each of the above situations, it is very important to assess yourself accurately. What happens in this type of evaluation is that one generally takes an "overall" view of their game play and grade accordingly. There are in essence, three separate reasons why a player makes a mistake.

1 – (U) Comprehension – not (U)nderstanding or knowing proper play selection, result of poor coaching or tactical training

2 – (M) Poor decision (mental) – did not see the ice well, a result of mental fatigue, thinking speed or poor puck handling habits (head down)

3 – (S) Poor Skill – could not execute the proper fundamental to accomplish the task at hand.

The following then is a more complicated break down of you game assessment. Assess each situation accordingly and circle the appropriate number based on the definitions shown above. What was or were the primary contributing factor/s. 1-comprehension, 2-decision making or 3-skill level.

For example skill level (poor skating skills, or strength) may be the primary factor why you would only be successful 3 out of 5 times. Don’t over analyze……keep it simple

Offensive Zone Coverage - Defense Only
Explanation of Tactic: CAN / DO YOU:		Ranking					Reason1
1	Jumped up to assist in attack	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
2	Hold the blue-line (did not back out early)	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
3	Get the puck through to net from point - not blocked	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
4	Hit the net on point shots	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
5	Read the play in the slot and play puck to open man	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
6	Pinch intelligently - Keep the puck in the zone	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
7	Read the play, move in deep and support back side pass	1	2	3	4	5	U	M	S
	Totals:	score			/35		ttl	ttl	ttl

Offensive zone assessment - Defense Only
Item No.	Score (1-5)	Factor (U-M-S)			Item No.	Score (1-5)	Factor (U-M-S)
1	1-5	U	M	S	5	1-5	U	M	S
2	1-5	U	M	S	6	1-5	U	M	S
3	1-5	U	M	S	7	1-5	U	M	S
4	1-5	U	M	S	-	-	U	M	S

Item No. 1 - Jumped up to assist in attack

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Puck has turned over quickly and opposition players are caught deep - create odd man rush 4-3, or 4-2.
2	Your defensemen is good at reading off of the back side of the play - take advantage of player's skills.
3	Opposition back-checks well eliminating offensive attack off the rush forcing your team to make plays against the grain.
4	Opposition forwards do not play with head on swivel - not aware of back side ice.

Primary teaching point: The objective of offensive is to create odd man situations. Having a defenseman that can join the rush enables the attack to gain an advantage over a 3-3 situation (2 defense and a high 1 defensive forward). Create as many passing options as possible. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Skate long ice well - striding / speed?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Accelerate quickly to capitalize on opportunity?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Read open lanes to net off of back side of the play?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Know when to join attack and when to hold up?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 2 - Held the blue-line (did not back out early)

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Opposition forwards like to leave zone early which creates odd man situation for your team.
2	Team has predictable breakout and is easy to read.
3	Opposition wingers have weak clearing (shooting or finding open ice) skills.
4	Your team counters well of off high blue-line turnovers.
5	Must win - contain the puck at all cost.

Primary teaching point: Making the right play selection is critical on the blueline. Containing the puck allows your team to capitalize on the opposition's transition into offensive play forcing them to make correct high pressure decisions, not easy outs. Many turnovers at the opposition's blueline turn into great offensive opportunities down low. Unfortunately too many defense back out early, the result of a lack of confidence in backward skating skills. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Possess adequate backward acceleration skills?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Read outlet plays by the opposition/ know when to maintain pressure and when to back out?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Communicate well with your defensive partner so that you support each other properly?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Move the puck quickly down low in the event of a high turnover?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 3 - Got puck through to net from point - not blocked

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Opposition defense are weak in the slot.
2	Goal-tender reacts poorly to screen shots or slot traffic.
3	Opposition players are slow to react to quick puck movement.
4	Keeps sustained pressure on the opposition defense to make good plays.
5	Need to win - team has success crashing the net (clock running down, your GT pulled for extra attacker).
6	Draw penalties by being aggressive in the slot or around the net.

Primary teaching point: Putting the puck on net is never a bad play. 100% of the pucks that do not hit the net do not go in. Give your team a opportunity to capitalize off of a bad bounce, a screen play or even a rebound. CAN / DO YOU:

1	See the lanes to the net clearly?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Move the puck quickly lessening the chance of being blocked?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Shoot with heads up?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Know when to put the puck deep and when to put puck on net?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 4 - Hit the net on point shots

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Goal tender gives out bad rebounds.
2	Goal-tender has trouble with traffic in front of the net.
3	Your team has generated successful offense by playing off of rebounds or turnovers in slot.
4	Opposition defense are intimidated by your forwards.
5	Defense on your team has exceptional shooting skills.

Primary teaching point: As mentioned earlier. 100% of the pucks that do not hit the net do not go in. Always give yourself a opportunity to score by hitting the net. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Shoot with your head up?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Shoot accurately (pick corners)?	X	V	G	F	P
3	One time the puck accurately?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Move the puck to open lane so as to create open lane to net?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 5 Read the play in the slot and played puck to open man

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Front of the net is clogged up.
2	Goal tender challenges shooter - move puck past him to outside for tip in.
3	Opposition forwards check point aggressively from inside out position.
4	Opposition defensive system has collapsed.

Primary teaching point: Moving puck to open man forces opposition players to adjust accordingly. Creating movement in defensive posture creates mistakes which a team can capitalize on. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Read the play well down low?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Possess adequate passing skills (saucer, forehand, backhand) so as to play take advantage of poor defensive zone coverage?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Pass quickly and accurately?	X	V	G	F	P
4	React well under pressure to find open man?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 6 - Pinched intelligently Kept the puck in the zone

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Opposition is ringing puck.
2	Opposition forwards are weak under pressure - select poor outlet options.
3	Your team is losing, must force play.
4	Opposition winger is in high position enabling high percentage pinch.

Primary teaching point: Maintain pressure on opposition players whenever possible. Pressure creates mistakes. Mistakes lead to scoring opportunities. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Read play well?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Possess possess forward acceleration skills?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Know when to time pinch?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Know how to pinch properly (take away wall - force play to middle, etc)?	X	V	G	F	P

Item No. 7 Read the play, moved in deep and supported back side pass

Possible reasons for this option are:
1	Opposition wingers get distracted easily - lose track of point check.
2	Opposition players are weak one on one creating opportunity for back side pass.
3	Must win, be aggressive offensively.
4	Puck movement has opened up lane to net.

Primary teaching point: Taking advantage of an open lane is critical to offensive success. A defense coming through open lane to support a backside pass is a highly effective play providing read is correct. CAN / DO YOU:

1	Read play well?	X	V	G	F	P
2	Possess shooting ability to release puck quickly off pass?	X	V	G	F	P
3	Know how to attack or select most effective lane?	X	V	G	F	P
4	Know how to time lane drive?	X	V	G	F	P

Take information from all zone evaluations and enter below.

Zone assessment	Score	U - Comprehension	M - Mental	S - Skill
Defensive Zone	ttl	ttl	ttl	ttl
Neutral Zone	ttl	ttl	ttl	ttl
Offensive Zone	ttl	ttl	ttl	ttl
Totals:	ttl	ttl	ttl	ttl