By Leanne Fedor and Lisa Brown
The secret to good distribution is practice, patience, and reading the ice. I have learned that during a 5 second count there are 2 windows to distribute the ringette ring successfully. Option #1 is the immediate quick pass (in the first second of the 5 second count). Option #2 doesn`t usually come until the end of the break-out pattern (around 4 seconds in the count).
That`s why I say that good distribution requires patience. If the quick pass isn`t there immediately, don`t panic! Let your defenders skate their patterns and work to get open. The worst thing you can do is lose your cool and give the ring away or put it in a dangerous spot (like right in front of the net!). It has been my experience that a great pass always opens up if you give it time (assuming your team`s breakout is working).
Here are some tips:
- Accuracy comes with practice; there is no magic pill. Good ringette goalie distribution is much like having an accurate shot for skaters. The only way to perfect the skill is to practice! Try hitting stationary and moving targets in practice: Click here.
- Learn to find open ice, not open players. This is an advanced skill because you must read the play. One secret is that you can`t be afraid to tell your teammates where you want to put the ring. If they know where you see the open ice, it`s their job to skate there and receive the pass. Don`t be afraid to take charge! In practice, experiment with putting the ring to open ice so your defenders can skate onto it.
- Use fakes. This is as simple as making the beginning motion of tossing the ring and then quickly throwing the ring in another direction. I find the best fakes are always the most simple. For example, pretend you are going to pass the ring right beside the net to a defender skating around the net and then pass the ring up high to the open center. These simple fakes (done well) will work on the best players in the world.
- Learn to pass the ringette ring using your stick. I actually think that sticks are highly under-used in ringette. Using your stick is the perfect way to make the quick pass because it catches the forcheckers completely off guard. You learn to use your stick by forcing yourself to practice that skill. Every practice set a goal to distribute the ring using your stick at least 10 times. Eventually you will become very comfortable with this skill. In games, be sure to use both your stick and your throwing hand. If you use only one, the other team will have an easier time predicting your throws and intercepting them.
- Pass to smart zones. The smart zones are: behind the net, in the low corners, and (sometimes) to the forwards over the ringette line. The Dumb Zone are: passing anywhere on the ice where there is an opposing player in between you and your teammate! If a smart zone isn’t open and all you see are dumb zones, don`t be afraid to hold the ring. It`s better than tossing it to the other team and catching all your defenders out of position.
Leanne Fedor is a 2 time world champion, 7 time National champion and former goaltender for the Canadian Ringette team. She played for the Edmonton WAM! Open AA team in the National Ringette League. She is well known amongst her peers as a master of ringette ring distribution.
