By Jeff Serowik, former Pittsburgh Penguin, owner/director
of Pro Ambitions Hockey, Inc.
Hockey U.S.A. October 2, 2002
My name is Jeff Serowik and I am a retired NHL defenseman.
I own 62 hockey camps for youths called Pro Ambitions. I
started my camps eleven years ago because I wanted to simplify
and pass on my knowledge of the game, which took me twenty-five
years to figure out. My specialty and passion is obviously
DEFENSE.
To win games, and become a great team that gels, all players
must play some form of defense (including forwards). A winning team is like a recipe,
- everyone has a specific role, - everyone has a niche. No hockey
player can play all roles. Find your specialty early and try to
be the best at that one skill. Then work on bringing your other
skills up to par.
The best teams in hockey understand that all players must
play some form of defense and play as one unit. Forwards
must back check to help defensemen. Typically on the forward
line, one forward's role is "the third man high”.
He is the first to go back and help the defensemen. This
type of forward is sometimes considered a two-way forward.
Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche, is a perfect example of the
ultimate two way forward. He is an all star every year because
he tallies 80-100 points and always has a great plus/minus.
(Being a Plus player means being on the ice for more goals
for than against.) Some players are gifted goal scorers with
incredible hands. Others players don't have as much talent,
- but hard work can compensate for lack of skill and anyone
can excel at defense if the commitment is there.
Defenseman in the NHL calls themselves
mules. “You may not get all the glory but we can
grunt out the victories”. Defensive players
in the NHL are making millions of dollars, so there must
be more to hockey than just scoring goals.
Here are a few of my secrets here (you can learn the rest
at one of my camps); but I would like to talk about some
fundamental defensive rules:
My coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kevin Constantine,
built his coaching system on defense. He told us the
#1 priority is to protect "The House",
which is the scoring area around net. You must keep offensive
team out of the house or the dangerous scoring areas. Force
them into the corners or outside of the face-off circles.
Basically, they are not going to score from the corners
or the boards.
This sounds basic but it is the golden rule!!!! Keep
your stick always on the ice. You will be surprised
how many plays you will break up. Watch any NHL player
in the defensive end. Train yourselves young!!!! Learn
to hold the stick with one hand while skating backwards
or forwards especially in the defensive end.
Every play is a battle. Loose pucks are a battle. Think
of winning a loose puck battle as exciting as scoring
a goal. Do the little things right and you will
be surprised at your success. I tell my kids “it’s
life or death to get the puck.”
Defense is a mindset. You
must learn to become mentally strong - it is never too
early to start. Have the mindset, "Nobody
is going to take this puck away from me!"
Make a poised play. Instead
of panicking and giving the other team that puck, which
you worked so hard to get, - try to make the smart-but-safe
play. This involves having your head on a swivel and knowing
where your teammates are. If you don't have a safe play,
don't force something that just isn’t there. Flip
it out, bang it off the boards, or tie it up in the corner
and get a whistle. When a player is tired, this is usually
when he makes a bad play. If he just took an extra look
he could make the smart play and not give the puck up.
Head on a swivel. This
is hard for young players because they are so focused on
the puck. Give yourself an extra second and keep looking
around. This will enable you to make a play, and you'll
have an edge on others because very few kids do this. Ray
Bourque is the master at this. He always knows where he's
going with the puck before he picks it up because he is
always looking over his shoulders and knows where everyone
is on the ice.
Communication is so important
in the defensive end. Take charge. Talk to your
teammates. Tell them they have time, - or where to go
with the puck, - or to ice the puck. Make sure your goalie
is talking, - he/she has the best view of all.
A defenseman shouldn't lead the
rush - he is the fourth forward. You have to be
a good skater, well conditioned and with lots of stamina
to be able to beat the other guys back if necessary.
Some good examples for a
defenseman to jump in:
Down a goal. You have to
take more chances to get your team a goal or create offense.
Pinching in the offensive end. I
was always told that if I was 90% sure I could keep the
puck in to pinch. If the puck is in the opposite corner
and you are on the point and they wrap it all the way around
to where you are, you always pinch. If the puck is on the
boards near your winger you can pinch if you have a forward
back to cover for you. Communicate, - yell - at your forwards
to cover for you.
Be hungry for the puck.
When the forward shoots the puck on goal, be ready to sneak
in and pick up a garbage goal or knock a big rebound in.
You can be in the high slot area, - but jump in and if
there is no play get back to your position.
You’re the captain of the
ship: Demand and want the puck on your stick.
It’s not a hot potato. Have confidence that you
can make it happen. A good defenseman can take charge
and lead by example. You have to want the puck when the
game is on the line.
I remember roughly 65% percent of my prep school; college and pro practices
were devoted to defense. Take pride in it!
Please e-mail me anytime
with questions or comments. Hope to see you at a camp soon!
Jeff Serowik, President
Pro Ambitions Hockey, Inc.
PO Box 565 Dover, MA 02030
508 497-1089 www.proambitions.com
