Changes in hockey rules happen in individual countries almost before every season. Junior KHL, for example, is testing a new overtime format. And the Slovak Ice Hockey Association also came up with something new.
Photo: TASR, Jakub Kotian
The change in the rules comes mainly because the youth teams had problems with passing in their own zone.
Since the beginning of this season, a rule has come into force in the youth categories, according to which players in the defensive zone will have to constantly keep the puck moving.
During the matches, I am looking for a situation that is repeated several times per third. The attacking team finishes attacking, the defender skates with the puck behind the goal and waits for fresh teammates to jump into the game from the substitution.
It is precisely such situations that the competent authorities want to get out of matches in youth Slovak hockey. “Our goal is to support players and coaches in preferring active and offensive hockey,” SZĽH coach education manager Igor Andrejkovič explained the move.
The unique innovation in hockey rules will only apply to five-on-five games. From the new season, the rule will apply in the categories of older students (up to 16 years old) and teenagers (up to 18 years old).
If the player with the puck stops anywhere in the defensive zone, the referee immediately blows the whistle. This will not be followed by a two-minute suspension, but by the interruption of the game and a foul in front of the team’s goal, which is guilty of violating the rules.
The attacking team can choose the side where the throw-in will take place, on the other hand, the defending team may not substitute or request a time-out.
The representative department of the association dealt with the situation in youth hockey at pre-season seminars. And it came to the conclusion that the representative teams had the biggest problems with passing at international tournaments.
They hold the puck without moving, even if it is not necessary, and in case of increased pressure from opponents, they often lose it. Therefore, the plan is to instill in the players more active forechecking and faster decision-making when starting offensive actions.
“Especially for defensemen, it is important to skate with the puck and try to create a play, even at the cost of a mistake. This is the only way they will learn how to properly deal with different situations. At the same time, all players should offer themselves to the defenders and be in motion,” national team coach Craig Ramsay underlined the amendment in the rules.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
