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Tape to Space: Redefining Modern Hockey Tactics
Ryan Stimson outlines a modern approach to playing fluid, creative hockey based on sound analytical research. He shows you, the coach, how to build a tactical framework from the ground up and illustrates how each aspect of the system links with each other. Part 1 details the overall philosophy behind team play, roster construction, and tactical decisions. "Should we play fast or slow? Which players should play together?" Part 2 takes a modern approach to hockey tactics, using years of quantitative research by Stimson and others determined to find more efficient and optimal ways of playing the game. You won't find a rigid system here, but a set of beliefs and ideology put on the ice that incorporates the highest levels of creativity, fluidity, and support. Finally in part Part 3, a narration of Stimson's coaching experience as he attempts to bring this style of play to life at the 14U level. What works? What doesn't? How does this new approach work when clashing with an old-school coach? Stimson reevaluates everything from names of positions to optimal routes in transition play. This book will appeal to any coach wanting to learn more about analytics, and to any analyst wanting to learn more about tactics. Stimson meets you in the middle and illustrates what can come out of union of the two: Total Hockey.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 7, 2023
Data Analytics is fascinating and I am a huge proponent of analysis and subsequent data driven decisions. The author has a strong background in this space and I greatly appreciated all his citations to support his claims.
As a hockey fan that enjoys observing player movements without the puck to create chances, this title caught my eye. Indeed, with talent being close to equal on both sides, tactics can be a strong differentiator. While I may not have agreed with every proposal, reviewing them does enable one to 'think outside the box', challenging traditional norms. As even more data becomes available in the future, I expect innovative thinking to rapidly increase accordingly.
The last part of the book is based on the author being a coach of a U14 team where he gets to experiment with some of these new ideas. He explains what worked and what did not work. Also, he acknowledges challenges with resisting a break from traditional thinking.
At the U14 level players are still heavily focused on developing fundamental skills. Asking them to also learn complex tactics including dynamically rotating positions on the fly may be a bit premature. However, at the varsity level and higher, I do agree it is worth attempting to employ these proposals.
There are several grammatical errors present throughout the book. I realize this is not a literary novel, but better editing would have caught most of these and they did bother me. The author dropped a couple of F bombs which I did not think were necessary.
If you enjoy hockey and have an open mind, this book is worth the read.
As a hockey fan that enjoys observing player movements without the puck to create chances, this title caught my eye. Indeed, with talent being close to equal on both sides, tactics can be a strong differentiator. While I may not have agreed with every proposal, reviewing them does enable one to 'think outside the box', challenging traditional norms. As even more data becomes available in the future, I expect innovative thinking to rapidly increase accordingly.
The last part of the book is based on the author being a coach of a U14 team where he gets to experiment with some of these new ideas. He explains what worked and what did not work. Also, he acknowledges challenges with resisting a break from traditional thinking.
At the U14 level players are still heavily focused on developing fundamental skills. Asking them to also learn complex tactics including dynamically rotating positions on the fly may be a bit premature. However, at the varsity level and higher, I do agree it is worth attempting to employ these proposals.
There are several grammatical errors present throughout the book. I realize this is not a literary novel, but better editing would have caught most of these and they did bother me. The author dropped a couple of F bombs which I did not think were necessary.
If you enjoy hockey and have an open mind, this book is worth the read.
May 12, 2021
This is not a book for hockey beginners who want to know something about game, neither it is a for players who want to improve their game. It is a whole new tactical system. Stimson proposes a change of hockey system to 1-4 and describes all tactical situation. Hockey needs more thinkers like him wanting to improve the game. If the tactical change will not happen, it can at least provoke some discussion. The book does not describe how to develop players for the proposed system and it doesn't also discuss how to put together team suitable for the system. There are two main weaknesses of the book. 1) The first part could be sometimes more concise and 2) the split between the first and second part of book is not natural - it feels like two books wrapped up in one.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews