What does "back to basics" mean to you?

[Jarick 5]

I've not been playing hockey very long, maybe 8 months or so, and I was making some great strides up until about six weeks ago. Had some great games, scored a few goals, did a lot of good things on the backcheck. Lately I've had nothing, no assists, no goals, barely any shots, even falling down on transitions which I never had a problem with.

I've heard a lot of people talk about "getting back to basics" or "keeping it simple" but I have no idea what that means. Things like moving your feet, being patient with the puck, playing the body, cutting off angles, etc?

Basically I'd like to clear my mind, head out on the ice, and just play a good solid game, feel like I'm turning it around. Any advice?

[ktang 34]

To me, offensively, more north-south passing and movement (instead of east-west), and shooting from anywhere to create rebounds. Short passes on the breakout, mostly board breakout.

[Marrick66 0]

I'm just coming off something like this, and there are two things I did. 1. Just work hard on skating drills. When I'm confident in my skating, I'm not worrying about it, screwing up my game. 2. Play with better linemates. I was moved up with two of our best players and my level of play has risen to match.

[DamnLocust 0]

Try to not focus on your mistakes or recent drought in terms of putting up numbers. Focus on the good things that you're doing. Your initial impressions about what to do seem to be spot on.

Try to play more positionally sound hockey, and don't take too many risks. The puck will come to you, and with that, so will the chances.

Most importantly, as cheesy as it sounds, remember to have a good time out there.

[hockeyherb 1]

I started the season in a bit of a slump so I know how you feel. I went to a drop in night and just played relaxed, not worrying about scoring or getting points. I had a great drop in game and then started playing much more relaxed in my league games as well.

If you can, try to get in some playing time when you don't care how you do and maybe you'll get back to 'basics'. Really you just need to stop focusing on the fact you aren't scoring.

If it helps you to know, Crosby went multiple games with zero pts several times throughout the year. ;)

[Quintin 16]

Just play the damn game. Have fun. That's the simplest advice :)

[TBLfan 25]

Try to not focus on your mistakes or recent drought in terms of putting up numbers. Focus on the good things that you're doing. Your initial impressions about what to do seem to be spot on.

Try to play more positionally sound hockey, and don't take too many risks. The puck will come to you, and with that, so will the chances.

Most importantly, as cheesy as it sounds, remember to have a good time out there.

Exactly what I was going to say. Relax and focus on being where you should be, the puck will find you and the points will come.

[Thockey17 1]

If nothing is going in on a consistent basis, just keep moving and throwing the puck at the net if you have to. You're bound to set something up or be in the perfect position soon or later. Whether it be rebounds, deflections, or beautiful goals...they all count.

[Jarick 5]

Thanks for the advice, gonna try to keep that simple mindset going.

Had a great game tonight, felt more rested, ate a much lighter meal beforehand, just had more energy. So hopefully I can keep that going. I just tried thinking position and patience with the puck.

[Chadd 916]

No blind passes, stop trying to deke everyone, get shots on net and drive for the rebounds.

[DP_57 1]

driving the net is a great advice, but when people say just throw the puck on net, I think that's why they don't score any goals, everytime you shoot, you have to shoot to score, you just can't expect to score goals if you shoot form everywhere and without looking where you shoot.

[Chadd 916]

driving the net is a great advice, but when people say just throw the puck on net, I think that's why they don't score any goals, everytime you shoot, you have to shoot to score, you just can't expect to score goals if you shoot form everywhere and without looking where you shoot.

I play a lot of defense so I tend to shoot to create rebounds, but I agree with you that players should be shooting for a particular target.

[DP_57 1]

Exactly, I understand your point. I spoke for me as i am a forward. and as you said shooting for rebounds is still picking your spot since if you shoot in his gut, it won't create any rebounds.

[TheBert 0]

I go with the high-percentage outlet passes and ring it around instead of trying to shoot through a maze of legs.

[Fixxer 0]

Suicide skating drills.

[hockechamp14 0]

you gotta blow the d-zone... duh. ;)