What is "HOCKEY IQ" & how to teach it.

We use the term "hockey IQ" constantly. But what are we actually talking about? Hockey IQ is a player's ability to recognize a situation early enough to make a good decision before the opportunity disappears. And I don't believe that's simply something a player either has or doesn't have. We can develop it.

HOW?

STRUCTURE → REPETITION → RECOGNITION → ANTICIPATION → DECISION

STRUCTURE

First, give players a framework for understanding the situation.

If we recover the puck in our defensive zone, what should the five players generally be doing? If we lose the puck in the offensive zone, what are our responsibilities? If we're defending through the neutral zone, where is the pressure coming from and where are we trying to steer the puck?

We're giving players a map.

REPETITION

Then they need to see those situations again and again. Not because we're trying to create robots.

We're creating familiarity.

RECOGNITION

Eventually a player sees a situation and thinks: I've seen this before.

Now they don't have to start solving the problem from zero.

ANTICIPATION

Recognition allows the player to begin acting before the play fully develops. The winger doesn't wait until the defenseman has complete possession before providing support. The center doesn't wait for the pass before moving into the next available space. The defending player doesn't wait for the puck carrier to get past them before recognizing where the play is headed.

They begin to anticipate.

DECISION

Now we give them choices.

Carry it.

Move it.

Support it.

Protect it.

Attack space.

Take space away.

The structure hasn't made the decision for them. It has given them enough understanding to make the decision themselves.

THAT'S HOCKEY IQ DEVELOPMENT

We're not trying to tell players what to do faster. We're trying to develop players who recognize what is happening sooner.

Recognition creates anticipation.

Anticipation creates time.

Time creates options.

Options create better decisions.

And eventually the coach becomes less necessary.

That's the goal.