1.5 IQ Index
What Is The IQ Index?
The first system is my IQ Index. Think of this system as our “hockey vocabulary”. This will ensure we are all speaking the same language in terms of what we see and do out on the ice.
Different hockey coaches, different programs and different organizations can all have different terms for the same thing. This leads to confusion, overthinking and ultimately playing slower as a result.
The IQ index will help us come up with a common language. This will apply primarily to the reads and tactical knowledge components of tactical skill development.
Foundational Reads
When it comes to reads, I break them up into two categories.
The first category of reads are our foundational reads. These are the constant, recurring reads we always make out on the ice. Think puck possession (offense vs defense), puck conditions (time & space vs pressure) individual roles (puck vs support) and game patterns (breakout vs forecheck etc.).
These reads serve as principles to guide our thought process and refine our tactical skill selection. These reads need to be developed to a near-instinctual level and can be primarily developed off the ice through video & watching hockey.
Trigger Reads
The second category of reads are the tactical trigger reads. Think of these as “cues” or “triggers” that tell you when to use a specific tactical skill. These are reads that will need to be made on the ice during practices and games as they serve as the bridge between mental skills and physical skills.
Each tactical skill in this playbook will utilize both types of reads. Our foundational game reads will help us to understand the overall game situation and narrow down the number of potential tactics we can choose from. Our tactical trigger reads will then be the exact cue we need to put a tactical skill into action.
Tactical Knowledge
In order to execute a tactic optimally, we have to not only know when to use it (reads), but we have to understand exactly what to do and how to do it. This is where language within the game of hockey can vary wildly.
Take a cutback for example. To cutback means to turn away from pressure to quickly create space, typically through the use of a punch turn. The term “cutback” is my way of describing this skill. However, I’ve also heard terms such as a turnback, turnaway, escape, delay, saving ice and spin-off to name a few. There are also many different terms for a punch turn (jab turn, jab step, brake turn, glide turn, etc.).
So you can see how this can all get very confusing very fast. But in reality, all of these terms refer to the same exact thing. So it is extremely important that we all know exactly what I am referring to when I say the word “cutback”.
To give us a clear sense of direction when it comes to our tactical skill language, I will be giving each tactical skill a clearly-defined name (what to do), one clearly-defined trigger (when to use it), and 1-3 distinct coaching points (how to do it). It is important that we don’t go too overboard with information here. I will keep things concise and straight to the point so you know exactly what to do, when to do it and how to use it when you hit the ice.
