Advice needed: new team struggles

[97cardinal 0]

Due to my old roller hockey team disbanding I was forced to find a new team this year and feel completelylost on the rink. At fiesta I attributed it to the new rink along with the new rules, i.e. offsides and 5 vs 5 instead of 4 vs 4. I have played for 19 yrs all on defense even some collegiate level play. I am use to a structered team with guys playing positions, set plays, and players covering other positions if guys take off to help an offensive breakout. This new team has a lot of talent but absolutely no organization. We are 2-1 so far this season but besides the first game we looked horrible. Our goalie has to stand on his head every night and we let up probably 15+ odd man rushes a night. I have been run into twice this season by my own forward while I was carrying the puck causing turnovers and scoring chances. The forwards usually are playing on the other side of all 5 of their skaters giving the D no outlet. It has made me make unusual mistakes and turnovers. Do I hope this team he's or should I be looking at another team next session? We have no clear leaders and a few guys help our local semi pro team so are unwilling to listen to advice. Our ages are around 30 and up so egos are big too.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Well I am younger than you so I give my 'advice' as humbly as possible haha. That being said, @ this point in our lives we play the game as an escape from the stress of the real world. It seems that this team adds on to your stress and that can't be healthy. We want competition but we also want to have fun with the game and our teammates. Based on what you have described, it seems that you aren't enjoying yourself. I don't see it being worthwhile spending your hard-earned money just to be even more frustrated. You would think that with semi-pro players on your team, they would take it upon themselves to be coaches/leaders. That's the downfall of pride: it prevents one from being able to coexist with their counterparts. No one likes hopping from team to team, but you may have if this trend continues throughout the season. One has to keep sane haha. Best regards and hopefully things work out for the better.

[97cardinal 0]

For being younger you are very insightful and correct in that it has caused me a lot of stress in over analyzing my game. It makes me take that half second longer to make a decision on the rink instead of just following my instincts. I will have to ride out this session and hope it gets better.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

Definitely keep us posted! No man or woman should be stressed by their squad. Losing a game on the other hand ha...

[hunt3rsean 44]

I had a buddy who was playing rec league ice at a very high level. But, his team was very similar to yours and he just wasn't having fun. He was paying a lot of money to be frustrated at the end of the night. He quit the team and didn't play for a couple seasons. Another team, in the same league, had some openings and he joined that team. There are some friends of his on the new team, but they play a much more structured game. So even during a loss his attitude is much better about it. I think unless your feeling comfortable losing with a team you enjoy playing with....it's probably time to find a diff team.

[flyers10 57]

I play on a C league ice team now and we have some of the same issues. Some is attributed to players having learned the game as adults and don't really know where they should be at all times, other is players wanting to do it all themselves. Due to this we are a .500 team when we could be a .750 team. Fortunately about 70% of the team is now open to doing some occasional team practices to work on basics like breakouts, entering the offensive zone, pk & pp, etc and general positioning and passing the puck more. We just had our first one and hopefully through more we can play more as a team and win more while still having fun.

[JR97 2]

Tough situation. Been there done that more than once. As the experienced D guy maybe just start with other D guys. Get on the same page with the D guys concerning positioning, D to D and up breakouts, retreat and reset type plays, etc. You'll probably see more results from getting the D on the same page than trying to get forwards on the same page as the D.

Barring that, write the season off, play hard to get attention from other teams and then bail. It sucks losing a season/money to BS like that, but that's part of the game, unfortunately.

Forgot to add that even if you can get your D partner on the same page, that's a great start. Make YOUR time on the court effective as possible and that's really about all you can control. I always try and take control of the D partner relationship early. as gay as that sounds. lawl.

[97cardinal 0]

Yeah I figured I wasn't the only guy to go through this and thanks for all of the advice. It's tough on finding a D partner because in the 3 games we have and only 10 of our 15 show up and its not always the same 10. I have had a different partner each game. I know what your saying tho and I communicated well with the guy who played D last night with me but he usually plays forward lol. I realized that I basically had to become a stay at home defenseman and when I say stay at home I mean stay at home. It sucks cuz it takes you out of the plays but my goalie appreciated it. It will be a long season but hopefully I can spark interest on another team.

[Chadd 916]

When my current team first got together our biggest problem was our defensive positioning. I've repeated my "keep them on the outside" mantra so many times, that other guys picked up on it and it became our system. As long as they stay between their man and the puck/net, that's about all you can ask for. As for offense, just tell guys what you need to do in order to get them the puck. Guys will listen if you tell them that you're trying to get them the puck, they won't listen if you want them to cover for you so you can rush the puck. Years ago I was busting the chops of our worst puck hog and I told him "if you pass the puck once in a while, I swear to god I'll get it back to you" and it seemed to get through to him.

[hunt3rsean 44]

When my current team first got together our biggest problem was our defensive positioning. I've repeated my "keep them on the outside" mantra so many times, that other guys picked up on it and it became our system. As long as they stay between their man and the puck/net, that's about all you can ask for. As for offense, just tell guys what you need to do in order to get them the puck. Guys will listen if you tell them that you're trying to get them the puck, they won't listen if you want them to cover for you so you can rush the puck. Years ago I was busting the chops of our worst puck hog and I told him "if you pass the puck once in a while, I swear to god I'll get it back to you" and it seemed to get through to him.

This made me laugh because it's almost like speaking to a child. "Give me your toy so I can wash your hands. I promise....I'll give it back."

Like in all things....you're not alone. I think most people have either played on "that team" or with "that guy". You just have to make the best of it or try to find a better fit somewhere else. The cool thing about hockey, mostly, is that everyone tends to be pretty nice and friendly. So finding a new team or being put on a new team usually isn't that difficult. And I always figured, if you're paying then it should be your right to enjoy what you're paying for.

[leftwinger37 43]

The bottom line is if you're not vocal (in a constructive way) you can't really expect anything to change. If there are no clear leaders on the team, maybe you should step up. I know that role isn't for everyone, but you should pass on your experience from playing on a more structured (and I am assuming successful) team in the past. Maybe they're in the same boat; waiting for someone to step up with a game plan. If they don't respond or blow you off, it's time to find a new team. Good luck.

[97cardinal 0]

I have been the leader on several teams and have put together teams as well, but like many I know we get burned out having to cover costs of players who say I can pay game by game or I will hit you up the 2nd week when all dues are paid before the first game. I agree that most hockey players at most levels are very nice and will work with finding open spots on their teams for guys that need a team. I have been successful playing, being part of 7 championships teams at 3 different facilities but this experience was new to me, well except the first few years of playing organized hockey with a bunch of noobs. As for another leader on the team, the guy who put it together doesn't attempt to pull the team together but rather complains about the refs and like I said we have a few semi pro guys that use the team as a look at me mentality. All of these guys are really nice but all have the "I'm a better player then most out here" attitude. I am a typical defensive defensmen who stays near the blue line and fires low shots for tips. I don't carry the puck a whole lot but look for the quick breakout pass. But when I say with this team I have to be way defensive I mean right on the blue line and when there is a turnover I have to already be on my heels because its going to be a 3 on 1. It really makes you feel out of most plays just staying so far away because nobody plays a position. Everyone is a floating and chasing the puck or puck carrier in a giant pack. I am going to finish the session on a high note but probably look for another team next session.

[Chadd 916]

Leader doesn't mean organizer or team rep. Say and do the right things, be positive and constructive and you will be seen as a leader. Leadership is something you show and do, and a position that you earn rather than something you give yourself. If the team is full of self-important jackwagons, then jumping ship next season is probably the best course of action. Just use this as a building experience and take pride in doing the job that the team needs you to do and recognize that it may not be doing what you normally do or want to do.

[Strummer 0]

I don't want to in any way imply you're bossing them around. With that out of the way, try different approaches on how suggest things to them.

For example, say you have the puck in your own corner or behind your net and want the winger a bit up the boards so you can dish it away from pressure. Telling one of the guys who's a bit headstrong to make sure they're on the boards probably doesn't get much cooperation...they just ignore you because they feel like you're telling them what to do (and as you mentioned they think they know better). If you say "When I have the puck below our goal line I'm usually gonna fire it around the boards" you're not telling them what to do, your telling them what you're going to do. They want the puck and they don't think anyone is bossing them around or insulting their knowledge of hockey.

Another thing to try is mentioning how their positive attributes can work well with the play you want them to do. If you want one of the forwards to stop cherry picking and pick up the trailer, tell him he's way faster than that last guy. Say something like "by eliminating the last guy on their rush we're more likely to turn the puck over, and when I get it you're fast enough to get the jump on him. If you explode up the wing there's no way he'll catch you and I'll give you an easy bank pass off the boards." If they're still floating emphasize how many extra passes you'd be able to give them with the trailer taken out of the play.

Most of the guys who think they're better than they really are have at least one part of their game that's actually good and is the root of their inflated opinion of themselves. Trust me, the guys that actually need this aren't gonna think you're ass-kissing, you're stating fact. If it's shooting their good at you can say "you've got a canon man, if you take the one-timer on your off side the release is even quicker and you'll easily beat this goalie." Makes it pretty easy to get them where you want them.

Every player/situation is different, but if you connect what you want them to do with what they want to hear the message tends to be received better. Really, you shouldn't have to massage their ego, but sometimes saying the same thing with some minor tweaks can make a big difference.

[Orange&Black12 1]

Hi maybe just time will do the trick. Keep up your good attitude and lead by example. In my opinion its the best way to make an impact on the new team. Sure its good to say the right words at the right time. But you have to back it up on the ice to make them realize that you really up to the task. But never forget to be calm and try to have fun even when its tough on you. Just keep up the good work. Hope you can take some positivs out of this