Understanding Makar

As a youth player I used to look up to NHL players as I would one-day hope to mirror their game. Today, there are a lot of young bucks that are obsessed with being exceptional in hockey and they are willing to carefully study specific players because they are appreciative of that player’s unique skill set (that has translated to the highest level). In order to better understand upper-level tendencies, we must examine the best players at the highest level - like Cale Makar.

When watching a great offensive-defenseman like Cale Makar, you will begin to see patterns in his offensive play.

With that in mind as an advancing youth player, better understanding these tendencies or patterns will give you a superpower, it will stack the deck in your favor. Once you become aware of these patterns, generating scoring chances is simple. All you need to do is apply your own unique skill set - all based off of your hockey instincts.

The major benefit when playing in such set patterns like for example an “offensive zone entry skating pattern” is that it offers a reduced number of possible threats from your opponents and outcomes.

Looking at some offensive tendencies or patterns from Colorado’s #8 Cale Makar:

1. Chosen skating path with the puck to net

2. Combining skating and stick-handling in order to make the goalie move

3. Hiding the release of the shot using lower-body skating deception

   
   

First, notice the chosen path with the puck in order to enter the zone with possession and create a high-quality scoring chance. The path itself is significant due to the fact that it designed to make the goalie move.

Next looking at the goalie, he has a special job - to stop the puck. In an effort to better understand scoring and beating the goalie, we must first consider the position of the goaltender. Specifically, the positioning of his skates relative to the top of his crease versus what direction his momentum is headed. Watch how the goalie is forced to shuffle, Makar’s skating path is a direct causation for getting the goalie outside of his comfort area.

Lastly, watch the details of shooting in stride behind his body, notice the direction of the lower body during the release. The shooting sequence will begin with the puck on his forehand, as he transfers his weight he skates past the puck, finally at the last second dragging the puck - changing the point of release. Notice the leverage point with the top-hand-pulling-motion and bottom-hand-pushing-motion. Do you notice what direction his skates are pointed to? The purpose of combining these techniques is to offer goalies an unexpected approach that they are not comfortable with.

Here is a closer look below. Bring your attention to what direction his chest is facing versus what direction his toes are facing. Also, become aware of the space between the player’s top hand and rib cage.

It is beneficial to study NHL players like Cale Makar in order to better understand tendencies and improve your own game. Makar’s offensive patterns include: choosing specific skating paths with the puck to produce scoring chances, combining stick-handling and skating to make the goalie move, using lower-body deception to hide the shot release while combining the lower and top hand pushing-pulling motion. By analyzing these patterns, you can gain an advantage in addition to generating more scoring chances by applying your own skill set.

Want to understand where high-level player development is heading?

Read our core article: The Future of Hockey Development: Remote Coaching: https://www.goldenstickhockey.com/post/the-future-of-hockey-development-remote-coaching

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