Coach’s Corner: Line Changes
This week's Coach's Corner focuses on line changes. The easiest line changes are during a stoppage of play. Players should be mindful of shift length, and should take the opportunity for a change during a stoppage, even if they feel their shift was a few seconds short. There is plenty of ice time in a game, and you'll be right back out in a couple minutes. This prevents players with already tired legs from getting "stuck" on the ice when they are too tired to take control of the play to create an opportunity to change on the fly.
Which brings us to our next topic, changing on the fly. Frequently during a game, it is necessary to change players while play is on-going, or "on the fly". When changing on the fly, we want to make sure it is safe to do so. To determine this, there are a few things to consider:
Location of the puck.
Which team controls the puck
What direction the puck, or play, is moving
When to change
The BEST time to change is when the puck is below the top of the circle in the Offensive Zone, AND your team is in possession
A GOOD time to change could be when the puck is over the Offensive Blue Line, moving forward, AND your team is in possession
An OK time to change, is when play is in the Neutral Zone, AND the player is already close to the bench. Though this one can be tricky. Here again, it is important to make sure that your team has possession, and play is moving forward. You don't want to get off the ice with play in the neutral zone when your opponent is on the attack. If needing a change from the Neutral Zone, it can be helpful to dump the puck deep into the Offensive Zone (being mindful of Icing!), then hustle to the bench.
A good time to look for a change is when you notice your teammate is in possession, and has fresh legs from just coming on to the ice. Look for an opportunity to get off, so their line mates can get into the play.
Bad Changes
You should AVOID changing while the puck is in your Defensive Zone. This gives the opposing team an odd-man advantage, similar to being on a power play. A possible exception here, is when your team has possession and is controlling play in your Defensive Zone, and the player is already at the bench. However, when possible, this should still be avoided.
You should also avoid changing when the opposing team is in possession of the puck. This leaves at least one of the opposing players uncovered, and gives the opposing team an odd-man advantage.
Changing too many players at the same time. Ideally, we would only change one player at a time. Changing too many at once creates an opportunity for your opponent to create an odd-man situation where they greatly outnumber your remaining players, which is a good scoring opportunity for them! If the puck is deep in the Offensive Zone, and your team is in possession and control, it can be okay to change two players. Avoid changing 3 or more players at the same time, leave at least 1 forward to control/pressure the puck.
How to Change
Hustle to the bench! No coasting! Each second you delay getting to the bench is another second before your teammate can join the play, and another second the opposing team has an odd-man advantage
Call to your bench and let them know you are changing.
DO NOT block players coming from the bench! This is a big one! Players leaving the bench have the right-of-way! Give them a clear lane to chase the puck or get into the play.
Keep shift length reasonable. Go out, go hard, get off. No one should be taking 3+ minute long shifts
Players on the bench should:
Know which teammate they are replacing, AND pay attention to their location on the ice!
Have your stick ready. Don't waste time trying to get your stick, tripping over it when changing, etc
Be aware of the position of the Blue Line. Don't create an off-sides situation by changing on the wrong side of the line!
SIT DOWN! This allows your teammates to see the play, so they know when their player is coming to the bench. It also provides room for players to make the line changes.
