The Hail Mary pass

[swineanddine 2]

Last night at pick up, I realized that I've developed the stupidest habit.

When playing with people who are better than me (which is most people) I make the dumbest passes. If I'm not flinging my sauce waist high, I'm flipping it up head high. If I'm not passing through impossible traffic straight to an opponent, I'm passing to no one.

What the hell am I doing this for?

I know that I can fire passes flat on the ice with decent accuracy and I know that I can float my saucers nice and low, so why am I tripping out and doing this weird stuff??

[Jason Harris 31]

It sounds like you're rushing. Most of the time, I'll think back and realize I had more time to make the play, but at the moment it happened, it seemed like the other guy was about to be right on top of me.

One solution stems from what I've always told the kids when I coached: "The time to pass is when it seems like you don't have to." What I mean is most players in any sport like hockey, soccer or lacrosse hold onto the ball too long, because they think they have plenty of open area ahead, yet they suddenly have the "Oh, spit!" moment where they have to rush the pass.

If you think about, the other player is coming at you at possibly greater speed and has a four foot stick, so that open space can be a defendable area in less than two seconds. As such, given the fact a pass is always faster than the puck carrier, the best time to do it is when your teammate is clearly open and (hopefully) ahead of you. There's no need to rush your pass and there are no sticks in the lane.

[chippa13 1844]

To build on that, make the pass you have when you have it. So many times you can get yourself in trouble looking for something better rather than taking the simple play.

[Tubesteak 1]

Maybe you're not anticipating enough. Always think you're getting the puck next and have the pass made in your head before you get it. You have to speed this process up when playing faster players but it should always be happening. And remember it's far better to have you're competitor take the puck from you than if you give it to them. Turnovers by giveaways lead to fast transition and scoring chances. When you get stripped your team has a better chance of backing you up.

[Bolo 10]

And remember it's far better to have you're competitor take the puck from you than if you give it to them. Turnovers by giveaways lead to fast transition and scoring chances. When you get stripped your team has a better chance of backing you up.

That is a good point that I never thought about. I've seen that happen a lot but never really made that connection.

[Jason Harris 31]

To build on that, make the pass you have when you have it. So many times you can get yourself in trouble looking for something better rather than taking the simple play.

I'm generally a willing and decent passer, but I'm definitely guilty at times of holding onto the puck too long while I wait for a teammate to get open for the home run pass.

[Chadd 916]

It sounds like you're rushing. Most of the time, I'll think back and realize I had more time to make the play, but at the moment it happened, it seemed like the other guy was about to be right on top of me.

One solution stems from what I've always told the kids when I coached: "The time to pass is when it seems like you don't have to." What I mean is most players in any sport like hockey, soccer or lacrosse hold onto the ball too long, because they think they have plenty of open area ahead, yet they suddenly have the "Oh, spit!" moment where they have to rush the pass.

If you think about, the other player is coming at you at possibly greater speed and has a four foot stick, so that open space can be a defendable area in less than two seconds. As such, given the fact a pass is always faster than the puck carrier, the best time to do it is when your teammate is clearly open and (hopefully) ahead of you. There's no need to rush your pass and there are no sticks in the lane.

Agreed, Make the play when you have time and space, not when that time and space is gone and you are pressured. Sometimes you can make the play to an area and let your man skate into it as well. Some people naturally see the lanes and angles better than others, it's just a matter of learning how to recognize them.

To build on that, make the pass you have when you have it. So many times you can get yourself in trouble looking for something better rather than taking the simple play.

The best way to do that is to take the first good play that you see. If you try to look for others and then come back, the first option is almost never still available.

[swineanddine 2]

Good advice. Thanks.

[bwhockey17 12]

It also sounds like subconsciously you are a bit intimidated by better players. You could just be gripping your stick too tightly, not wanting to need up. Just let the game come to you haha

[tareatingrat 4]

Being a forward who busts my ass to get open, I can't stand the guys who do anything but make the easy pass.

I hate flip passes, lazy passes up the middle, saucer passes (very few people can set up a nice saucer pass), crazy long passes.

Just about anything that isn't a short tape-to-tape pass, or a chip up the boards makes me want to punch my teammates. There are far too many people who try to force ridiculous passes.

Why are you trying to do it? I don't know. Maybe trying to subconsciously show off? Over-thinking because you're playing with better players? Maybe you're used to having more time against weaker players?

I'll echo the advice of most people here, look for the easy pass, especially if the game is faster. Generally, that's a short, hard pass to somebody who is actually facing you. If you've got nothing, high and hard off of the glass. If you have a bit of time and nobody is in good position, spin around behind the net and set up.

Whenever I play with a bunch of players above my ability level, I really try to simplify my game. Move the puck forward, chip it up the boards, and get it deep.

Somebody mentioned that they'd rather have somebody take the puck away from them than give it to them. I wholeheartedly agree with that. It's okay to panic if you're being pressured hard as long as your panic doesn't result in an easy turnover. My default as a forward is to then just get it deep. If I'm going to "give it away", I'm going to make them skate back up the length of the ice. If I get caught back in our zone, I fire it hard and high if I've got nothing and make them regroup.

Never just give it away without making it difficult. I always tell my weaker D players to take one second to look for a smart pass. If they take that second, and somebody is on them and there's a scrum for the puck, I'll be there to support. But at least it's a scrum and not a pass/easy pick-off for the opposing team.

Sorry, that was long. Pet peeve of mine.

[bwhockey17 12]

Yeah we have a guy on our team that does this and when it works it looks great, but often leads to icings..

[swineanddine 2]

Working hard to get this crap out of my game since I first posted and took on board some of the advice. The best bits of advice here for me were two things:

1) always imagine that the puck is coming to me and have my pass planned: when i focussed on this i was amazed that it worked. i was seeing unmarked players, i knew where my pass was going before the guy passing it to me even knew he was going to do that. i can remember a couple of distinct moments where i anticipated the play and put through the breakout pass. awesome advice.

2) have the puck taken from you rather than give it away: sure, i've made a couple of rushed, dumbass passes since this thread but when i focus on it i can make better plays. under pressure i've been taking my time, looking for the easy pass, if there's nothing then i'm putting the puck somewhere safe. I've made a few dumb icings when not taking my time but i hate myself as soon as the puck leaves my stick. i think i'm learning.

[bwhockey17 12]

Great to hear man, keep it up! Another thing is just let the pass come to you. Don't force it, you'll just know what is and isn't a good pass to send.

[Chadd 916]

I hate flip passes, lazy passes up the middle, saucer passes (very few people can set up a nice saucer pass), crazy long passes.

I make high flips, saucer passes and long passes all the time. It's all about taking what the defense gives you and if those passes are there, I make them. I catch teams on line changes or in bad defensive position every game with the long passes, often off the boards. Off a faceoff in your defensive zone, the high flip is a great way to spring a guy for a breakaway. Especially if you are shorthanded.

[215BroadStBullies610 435]

'Stretching the ice' is a big part of hockey. Sometimes high flips, sauce and etc. are necessary. As Chadd said, 'take what the defense gives you.' You see this done will at the higher levels. Nothing wrong with implementing it in one's game.

[bwhockey17 12]

Yeah, I do it as well if the pass is open. It's just a matter of practice practice practice so you can place it where you want it!

[chapel 20]

and use the boards...

for the love of god... at the least someone can adjust to a banked pass :)

The guys I play with just try to do straight passes all day long.

[mapleleafs13 2]

i would say be more patient and look for your players stick and where they're going to be. I'm usually not one of the best players out there but i'm definitely not the worst. The best thing one of my buddies said to me was "i like how patient you are with the puck" because i don't force plays or make stupid giveaways. He plays junior A and i always ask him to give me tips here and there when he can because he's an extremely good player and skater all around. That one sentence has always stuck with me, it's "patience", so since that point i'm always looking for my best option to dish it when i get the puck.

In that sense though i've turned into a pass first kind of player. But i find that when i play with players who can pass you make some ridiculously nice plays.

[greyskull 21]

Follow through low and keep your blade closed