Learn across domains. Hockey and basketball share more similarities than we might think.
What wins and loses?
Talent uber alles. As Hugh Keough wrote: “The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but that is the way to bet.”
Pace of play. John Wooden said, "basketball is a game meant to be played fast." That applies for the superior team. Small advantages multiply with the number of possessions. Lacking superior talent and athleticism, high octane play falls short.
Play harder for longer. Exceptional teams not only have the means but the will to play harder for longer. Emotional resilience plays across sports.
Physicality. "Toughness is a skill." Bruins Captain Brad Marchand said, ""Every time you step on the ice, someone is trying to hurt someone. That's just how it goes in the playoffs. That's part of the benefit of having a physical group. That's why you rarely see teams that are small and skilled go far. Because they get hurt." Elite play demands physical toughness.
Full strength. Teams have to be able to win the game in their own 'defensive zone' and "tilt the ice" to their advantage. No good team lacks the ability to win the half-court battles. Sun Tzu said, "Utilize strengths, attack weaknesses," about 2500 years ago.
Player and puck movement. Games are organized according to initial positioning (spacing), player and ball/puck movement, and finishing/execution. "The ball has energy." So does the puck.
Snipers (including possession enders). Excellent teams have 'snipers', guys who score. Even with good defense, you need scorers. When a defense 'contains' the stars, don't expect the role players to carry the day. Strong teams work to take away what opponents do best.
"Foul for profit." Stupid penalties and bad fouls kill teams. The power play creates both numerical and space advantage. Free throws are the highest points per possession offense.
Turnovers. Turnovers often lead to "odd man rushes" or positive zone time in hockey. In basketball, live ball turnovers convert to high points per possession. Preventing turnovers has to be a priority.
Man advantage. "Special teams" play in hockey, power plays and penalty kills are vital to winning. "Numbers" in basketball such as three-on-twos or two-on-ones convert to high quality shots.
Caught up ice. Poor floor balance leads to transition with 'high danger shots" or high quality scoring chances on the break.
Goalies can be the difference on the ice and at the rim. Coaches often refer to the back line defender in the press as the goalie. When we have an 'eraser', some funnel the ball to the shot blocker.
Closing Out games. Both sports require the ability to thrive "close and late." Often the ability to defend separates the top teams. Hockey differs in that a single score more often decides a game.
Lagniappe. Repost. Getting separation.
Cross Jab Options
Step across your frame. You are looking to see if you can get outside of your defenders frame, so often this becomes effective when done slowly.
If you get outside there, explode to the rim.
If they cut you and there is contact, look to spin.@eli_ehrke pic.twitter.com/xeiRK6LBhI
— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) May 16, 2024
Lagniappe 2.
Shooting drills that replicate your offense > shooting drills that don’thttps://t.co/ARAZ77QvyD pic.twitter.com/Fx6VLqXReT
— Matt Hackenberg (@CoachHackGO) May 16, 2024
Lagniappe 3. Trouble inbounding?
Safely inbound the ball on the sideline vs. pressure using this line to a stagger action. pic.twitter.com/whZABUW8dU
— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) May 16, 2024