Shortcut to better Hockey IQ

One thing that separates the good players from the great players is something that most casual observers overlook and it's something I've not seen actively coached either.

Well, except by me.

In the car.

After games.

Before games.

And repeatedly any time we're reviewing video.

And this is going to sound so insignificant that you might just write it off as nonsense...but, I'm telling you, this is one thing that I've noticed happening at the NHL level that I don't so much notice happening with great frequency at even the D1 college level.

And it's seldom seen in youth hockey.

Look, at a certain point, every player can skate, every player can shoot, and every player has some pretty decent hands.

From my experiences, this great divide begins to reveal itself when the players are between 13 and 15 years old.

It's that age old "puberty is the great equalizer" claim...which I only half agree with.

Size and strength might even some things out...but new found size or strength isn't the real differentiator between players.

At that bantam/midget age where the skill gap from top to bottom on any given roster, regardless of level, is narrower than it's EVER been...a new gap starts to broaden.

Hockey IQ is the generic phrase tossed about.

That's really vague, though -- "Oh, that kid has great hockey IQ!"

Like, what does that even mean?

Seriously, though...what is hockey IQ?

My answer to that question is that it's primarily based on positioning...like, what a player does WITHOUT the puck.

Tons of players are just floaters just kinda gliding where their skates take them or just relentlessly chasing the puck...but some players seem to be executing a plan based on what's in front of them.

Ready that last part again.

What's in front of them.

So here's my super simple tip and is something you should remind every mite, squirt, peewee, and bantam in your household.

Face the puck.

Always face the puck.

Do not turn your back on the puck.

...and then mention something along those lines two thousand more times.

I was really fortunate that my kids were all taught to skate really well at the onset as 6 and 7 year olds.

Like, they might not be super fast straight line skaters, even to this day, but when when it comes to transitions, there aren't many that I've seen that are glaringly better.

The ability to transition on your skates offers you the ability to change direction, at speed, or without loss of momentum...while the top half of your body continues to point in any direction you choose.

Choose to face the puck.

And here's the beauty of it -- let's say your player isn't the greatest on their edges or the funky direction change transitions.

Let's be honest. That covers, probably over 80% of youth hockey players...

Yep, I said it. They're bad skaters.

But if they focus on facing the puck 100% of the time, those transitions they never learned to do when they were learning to skate will sort themselves out. They will.

Before you know it, your kid wll be able to dance down the blue line, opening their hips, making deceptive moves, always facing the net, and find that wide open shooting or passing lane with ease...rather than being that kid the turns around, skates out of the zone, changes direction four times trying to evade a forchecker -- running away, essentially -- before coughing it up or throwing it away.

And, your kid will never be that kid that has no idea an incoming pass is coming towards them...cause they'll know where the puck is...even when they're skating away from the play at full speed.

It creates the "illusion" of hockey IQ.

This is the differentiator, not puberty, and it's very, very, very apparent when the 14 year old kids start playing with and against 18 year olds.

Even when you don't have the puck...your puck awareness is next level...cause you're looking at it.

This allows you to receive passes and intercept passes other players -- facing the wrong direction -- never can.

And it's so easy!?

Oh, and if you're thinking, hey, I've read this before...you'd be right!

I buried the same hockey tip in this article a few years back in regards to playing the long game...

Also dips into "playing defense is NOT a punishment" territory too. The sooner a player masters skating backward, the further they'll go.

Play smarter.

Good advice bears repeating!

Or something like that...

Agree? Disagree? Let me know -- I love the feedback from all angles!

Chris Rutsch

Hockey Dad

Year round, I spend a significant amount of time and money transporting my three boys to and from freezing cold ice rinks. Not because I expect them to make it to the NHL but because I know the rigorous youth hockey experience will serve them well in the future.