Structure and improvisation go together during youth development process

Structure, structure, structure, has permeated down to just about every level of hockey over the last two decades, writes PETER D’CRUZ

Structure has always been a part of hockey, as it has been with similar team sports such as ice hockey and soccer, but with the advent of more and more affordable, sophisticated technology starting at least 25 years ago to review player performance after the game, and now during the game, coaches are emphasising “doing exactly what we want” with all their players.  

Many coaches want their players to execute the structure like they are moving them around a board like chess pieces.

Peter D’Cruz is the founder of the Hockey Curriculum for Players & Coaches