Short Bench

mrchips · Post by **mrchips** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 7:07 pm

Anyone ever consider shortening the bench IN FAVOR of the weaker players in those games where the opposition might not be able to keep up, or if you're able to get out to a lead? Then at least you can even out playing time a bit.

Ugottobekiddingme · Post by **Ugottobekiddingme** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:09 pm

CommunityBased wrote:Nailed it Nevertoomuch

In my Shortening bench = bad coaching post I should have been more specific. I assumed that given this is the Youth Hockey Forum we were talking youth hockey only. Yes in NHL, D1, and HS situational substitutions and riding your top 6F/4D is common and warranted when the goal is winning at all costs. But no sane coach would run a youth hockey team like it is an NHL/D1 team.

Yes, in the PW playoffs in the last minute sure...go with your top 5. Otherwise roll-em. If your ego is to big for that consider a job coaching NHL, D1, USHL, where winning is more important then long term development.

A Youth Hockey coaches work is done in practice not in games.

The doctors office called and your meds are available after 3:00 tomorrow. Shortbenchtitis is commonly curable but often, if left untreated will lead to confusion and agreeing with a multi-poster that disagrees with your position. There are no written rules regulating and preventing the short bench strategy and nothing prohibits this practice at any level of hockey... but I like the comparison of separating youth hockey with college and pros if there was any comparison.

JSR · Post by **JSR** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:43 am

CommunityBased wrote:Nailed it Nevertoomuch

In my Shortening bench = bad coaching post I should have been more specific. I assumed that given this is the Youth Hockey Forum we were talking youth hockey only. Yes in NHL, D1, and HS situational substitutions and riding your top 6F/4D is common and warranted when the goal is winning at all costs. But no sane coach would run a youth hockey team like it is an NHL/D1 team.

Yes, in the PW playoffs in the last minute sure...go with your top 5. Otherwise roll-em. If your ego is to big for that consider a job coaching NHL, D1, USHL, where winning is more important then long term development.

A Youth Hockey coaches work is done in practice not in games.

Very well stated and I totally agree.... unfortunately as nevertoomuch said though, "this doesn't always happen..."

SCBlueLiner · Post by **SCBlueLiner** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 12:37 pm

mrchips wrote:Anyone ever consider shortening the bench IN FAVOR of the weaker players in those games where the opposition might not be able to keep up, or if you're able to get out to a lead? Then at least you can even out playing time a bit.

This happens all the time in any team I've ever been involved with. Forwards move to defense, defense move to forwards, 3rd line players getting a bulk of the playing time. We had a game once where by the end we were rotating 5 forwards and had 8 kids playing defense.

The danger in this you think you are doing a good thing and easing up on the opposition. The reality is when you give defenseman a chance to play forward they will pound the net hard.