Breaking the game down into manageable parts.

For a long time now, I have been using a system I like to call the Two Traffic light system to break the game down during each half into manageable parts, and then talk about winning the majority of those parts or periods, thus making sure we win the game. This what I am talking about-

So how it works well very simple-

Red time (First 15 minutes of each half): That is when as a team we need to be running at our absolute best and putting in maximum effort, and being alert and focussed at all times, and make sure we are doing our basics well and following our process. The first 15 minutes of each half are some of the most dangerous times in hockey and this is why its Red Time where we must be doing our basics well and making every post a winner. This is not a period that a team can afford to lose, they must come out with either a draw or a win on the score board and in the statistics.

Amber Time (Middle 15 minutes of each half): This is where the game has settled down into a flow and both teams have settled down and the nerves are or have gone. There still needs to be a strong effort to make sure the basics are done well and the processes are followed. This is the period of the game where you perhaps can afford to come out with a draw in the statistics and a draw on the score-board without it hurting you terrible.

Red (Last 5 minutes of each half): Once again this is maximum danger time, I have seen it far to often where a team is scored on during this period because they relax and take the foot of the peddle. So once again I demand that we are alert, attacking hard and running hard at all times.

Also in hockey when either you score a goal or the opposition scores a goal, I as coach will call Red-time again why, because this is yet again danger time, if you scored the goal players have got this happy knack of relaxing taking the foot of the peddle, and bang opposition gets a fast break and score. So as soon as this happens its straight back doing well and at a urgent pass. Likewise if they score on you you should be exploiting that relax nature they are in and trying to break them open quickly.

So this is the devise I have developed and use, I really do welcome comment on it and would like to know if other coaches out there are using similar ideas or if they think there are ways to improve this. Please comment.