Street Hockey Techniques and gameplans- Input greatly appreciated

[StarStrike]

Hey guys, I'm hoping those of you who play street hockey will be able to provide some valuable input into making a solid gameplan (proper offensive and defensive formation) for playing street hockey (I know lots about ice hockey, but that doesn't apply very well in this case). I would love to know how you guys go about playing 5 on 5 street hockey (could be 4 on 4 or even 3 on 3). What some effective offensive zone strategies and what are some good defensive zone strategies (keeping in mind we have to run a lot and don't have the privilege of gliding from one end of the rink to the other >:( ) Thanks a bunch in advance :cheesygri

[Evil Baby]

Hey guys, I'm hoping those of you who play street hockey will be able to provide some valuable input into making a solid gameplan (proper offensive and defensive formation) for playing street hockey (I know lots about ice hockey, but that doesn't apply very well in this case). I would love to know how you guys go about playing 5 on 5 street hockey (could be 4 on 4 or even 3 on 3). What some effective offensive zone strategies and what are some good defensive zone strategies (keeping in mind we have to run a lot and don't have the privilege of gliding from one end of the rink to the other >:( ) Thanks a bunch in advance :cheesygri


When you're in close to the net and there are a bunch of sticks in the way. Kick the back of your stick into the ball. That works pretty much where ever you are.

Most street hockey games have no strategy. We're just playing for fun, but if you're joining a ball hockey league or something just make sure you have two guys who will always play some D.

[MrWizard]

If it's just for fun, then why are you worried so much about strategy?

In our pickup games, there are ridiculous amounts of odd-man rushes, 2 on 0's, 3 on 1's, 3 on 0's. No one really cares though because it's all in good fun and creates some exciting goals and saves.

Defence is key. Everyone loves to score, so finding people who will play D is imporant.

Defensive strategies can vary on the style and skill level of your goalie. Is your goalie terrible when people are in close? Then force outside shots. Give the goalie a clear view so they have a chance at stopping the ball. In a panic, rather than try to make a play out of something, just get rid of the ball. Somehow, shoot it away, corner, down the street, whatever.

[coomar]

I've never actually executed the kicking the stick thing

playing defense is fairly easy, strip the ball, play positional (force the shooter to the outside), playing to your goalie's strength, clearing out the trash (forwards and rebounds) and the very important thing, when you have the ball in your own zone, LOOK UP, I can't stress this enough, clearing the ball is a stopgap, you need to hit your teammates, learn to play it off boards and read offensive potential (not only will it generate scoring chances, it makes you better in your own end), in the offensive zone, have a high slot and a medium slot and try to cover board clearing passes as they roll out

a lot of playing will jam the shooter, its a great way of rattling their timing, ie putting the stick in front of their stick or breaking the motion of the shot

[ndrew029]

It's very important not to think you're a one man team. Even if you are Ovechkin's twin brother chances are you won't be able to go through all the other team's defence every time. And you have teamates too, so be considerate. It's not fun to watch another player do it himself. Everyone should be involved.

With that being said, never underestimate the strength of a good pass. I'm a playmaker myself (not alot of goals, the ones i do score are pretty garbage), so one of my favourite places to set up shop is behind the net, where there is usually no defence. This gives me a little time to think as well. That usually draws an opposing defender to attack me, leaving another man open at the point or in front.

It is all in fun, but who said you can't make a strategy and have fun at the same time. That's my 2 cents. More tips anyone?

Cheers

[coomar]

yeah, the office is a great for generating offense, a lot of players don't mark the guys in front and chase you, depending on the goalie, you can wrap around as well (though i no longer can go left fast enough, only right)

[CSR]

When I played, I noticed a lot of people:

Not clearing the ball out of their own zone
Not using the fence/wall
Not dumping the ball in
Not making short passes
Trying to deke out of their own zone

[Rometiklan]

I agree with ndrew029. A great/poor outlet pass can make or break your rush, so I try to work on my passing game as much as possible. Tape-to-tape, but I also work on my saucer/flip passes. Often I pass to an open area where I want my teammate to go rather than where he is standing. Like pool players, I use the wall a lot to bank passes, or to get the ball out of the zone. And like ndrew029 says, it's not a one man team. No one likes a ball hog so work on that passing.

As for defensive zone coverage, I use my stick a lot to block passing lanes...with one hand on the stick and laying it almost flat along the ground in the passing lane sometimes to block a pass going across in front of me. I try not to screen my goalie or I'll get an earful. Stay with the shooter and try to force him to the outside.

[StarStrike]

wow! Thank you all so much for your tips and input.