I started getting into ice hockey over the last few years, and how I started to better understand the game was by learning one position at a time. I would learn all about the role and responsibilities of a Defenseman, and then when I watched games I would just focus on the defenseman. Then after a few games I would move on to learning about the Centre and would follow the same plan of watching and understanding that specific position.
You can learn all of the players, strategies, formations, etc., but it’s kind of pointless if you don’t know what the role of each player is and what makes them either good or bad at their job. It really makes the game more enjoyable when you know what everybody is doing and the reasoning behind it.
You're better off spending that time watching actual matches.
