Citation

Dennis PW, Carron AV. J. Sports Sci. 1999; 17(4): 263-268.

Affiliation

Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Kinesiology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. pdennis@julian.uwo.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/026404199365984

PMID

10373036

Abstract

Two studies were performed to determine the influence of game location on the strategic decisions of ice hockey coaches. In study 1, coaches from the National (n = 23) and Ontario Hockey Leagues (n = 17) indicated the degree to which they had their teams forecheck assertively at home versus away. In study 2, video analysis of 62 National Hockey League games was used to verify the extent to which teams in this league use an assertive forechecking strategy at home versus away. In study 1, coaches reported that they implemented a more assertive forechecking style at home versus away (P < 0.001). The results of the video analysis in study 2 were consistent with the coaches' reports: teams used a more assertive forechecking style at home versus away (P < 0.03). The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the home advantage in the National Hockey League.

Language: en