Efficient Use of the Ice
An important part of coaching using the ABC method is to use the ice efficiently. We try to use the Physical Education principle of AIM.
A - 80% activity.
I - 10% instruction.
M - 10% maintenance; things such as moving pucks, switching starting points, water breaks, etc.
The more intense the activity the longer the rest period between reps. Recovery is part of the activity when the proper w/r ratios are used.
Hockey practices are almost the opposite in activity. Studies in Canada and Finland consistently show the average drill based practice has an individual player moving from 7-12 minutes in a 60 minute practice. This isn't enough activity to improve skills or fitness.
Some coaches get upset when I say this, so I challenge you to pick out one player and time him/her when they are active within a practice plan. Better yet take a video.
So coaches must learn how to move seamlessly from one activity to another without needing to go to the board all of the time. Create routines and sequences from the same starting place. Usually start with many pucks and reduce them down to one puck games or transition games.
Your players and your won/lost record will love you for it.
TomM
TomM
E300 3 on 2 Contest
Key Points:
Forwards compete with the defense and goalie. Points are awarded for shots and goals as well as defensive plays. Coach times 20" for the attack. Play ends if the puck is frozen, a goal scored or the defenders clear the zone. Record the score.
Description:
Forward Points:
1 point for each shot. up to 2 pts.
3 points for a goal.
Defenders Points:
3 points for stopping the rush before blue line
2 points for carrying the puck out of the zone
1 point for 0 shots within 20"
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110707074113682
TomM
Safety on the Ice
A short note on keeping your work space safe. I just saw one of the best players in the world go crashing into the boards after stepping on a puck that was left in the working area. No injury but easily could have been serious.
He actually was injured and had a bad shoulder the first few months of that season and a very slow start.
Coaches love having zillions of pucks all over the place in drills and even in games where they constantly shoot new pucks in for the next group. It is dangerous because when you step on a puck you are totally out of control.
So anticipate where the activity will be and move the pucks to a safe place.
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While I am on the subject I ask WHY PYLONS????
There are lines and dots all over the ice and on the boards that players can use as markings to turn etc. When every player goes around a pylon it tends to BREAK THE ICE and this worsens with each player who gets a turn. The ice gets rough and it is hard for the next players to do the skill. If the pylons aren't moved to new ice often it ruins the ice for the next group.
So if you need to use pylons and other apparatus then move them often.
Cutting up the ice is simply bad coaching manners.
Maybe with under 10 the ice isn't damaged badly because they are light but after that it worsens as the players get heavier and faster.
TomM
This is a tournament on the same theme as the last three postings. The focus is on puck handling by using a different type of ball or puck with each game. There are some passing rules but the main idea is to play a different game every 5 minutes and change the proprioceptive challenge to the nervous system. The player has to adapt to the variations in the pucks and balls.They play 9 games in total and get a lot of puck possession.
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D5 Tournament Using Various Pucks and Ball 1-1 to 3-3
Key Points:
The different weights, size, hardness and bounce of the pucks and balls overload the nervous system to adapt stickhandling technique.
This tournament lasted 45 minutes with 9 x 5 minute games. Fun, skill and lots of skating, touches and exercise. Research has shown that cross ice games have 600% more puck touches than a full ice game.
Description:
1. Play two cross ice and one game with one goalie.
2. Games last 5 minutes then the same teams play in a different area.
3. After all have played in each area rotate who they play against.
4. Use different pucks and balls for the first two rounds and then play 1-1 where the defender regroups with the goalie before attacking or the point in the one net game.
5. Keep track of wins.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20130506082228769
https://youtu.be/N3AR3nS-qsU
TomM
I am reposting this because it is a good example of how to practice big moves in large groups and one puck each.
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A200 - Skating and Puck Handling - Yashin and Finnish HS
1. A200 formation and Yashin leads the big moves warm demonstrating the skill and the kid's follow.
2. A2 skating drills for balance and edge control.
3. A200 Russian Big Moves exercises. Pro player demonstrate the big moves and the players follow.
This practice was done at Juhani's hockey school in Mikkeli, Finland. It is beautiful lake country where he has his summer place. The focus is on Big Moves with Good Hard Fakes when puck handling. Many pro's including Yashin helped with his camps. Juhani is in the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame and is a legend in Finland.
Another IIHF hall of famer Vladimir Yursinov is the one who developed this big moves warm up. He is a Russian hockey legend as a player and coach. Between them they have developed about 70 NHL players.
In my coaching experience these puck handling exercises are the most effective way for players to develop good hands. They can be done off ice as well. Big moves and handling the puck all around the body with big fakes and protecting the puck with the body are the essentials to being a good offensive player.
The video starts with Yashin demonstrating the moves down the ice and players following, then there is a few minutes of skating exercises for balance and it moves to the Russian Big Moves Puck Handling Sequence where the coaches demonstrate and the players do the same thing. This is a GREAT VIDEO for everyone to imporve puck handling.
When I talked with Iginla last week I mentioned to him that last season I saw him doing things I have never seen him do before like the back toe drag and putting it through his legs. He said that he has changed what he does at the start of each practice. Instead of just mindlessly skating and shooting the puck around now he gets a puck and practices all kinds of moves.
If players would do these big move exercises on their own for the first 5 minutes of each practice as a warm up the puck handling skills really improve.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20080722140651119
https://youtu.be/ODq1cq-Z8_I
TomM
This was the fifth day that we went on the ice.
On Day 5 I stayed with 4 pucks and 4 other objects but changed things so there was a huge difference in the size, feel, bounce and weight. The heavy puck is at least 3 times the weight of a regular puck and the shinny puck with the middle removed is about a third as heavy. The racquet ball is very light and bouncy and the field hockey ball has zero bounce and is hard and heavy.
Handle 4 different kinds of balls and pucks, and then multiple pucks around 4 nets. Handle a puck around a circuit of 4 nets always facing the middlle in the triple threat positon. Loosen the shoulders with the puck on the forehand in the triple threat position and then continue the zig zags with the puck always on the backhand. Finish with a fake backhand pass and across the body.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=17&page=1
TomM
I work with some pro players on sharpening their skills. This is a routine I use to overload the nervous system. It is a real challenge as every ball and puck is different in weight, bounce and size.
A3 Nervous System Overload for Puck Handling
Day One and Two
The sequence on the first two days that we didn't video was.
- one puck with big moves all around the body, in the feet, fake shots, moves, pivots.
- two pucks at once all around the body.
- two pucks then replace a puck with a ball when two balls.
- two balls, one puck on ball, two pucks around obstacles moving in all directions.
- move inside the circle around pucks, obstacles, escape moves, front and back toe drags around each dot on the rink, front and back toe drags inside and out of the 4 small nets.
- In order to practice handling the puck all around the body this is a great exercise. It also loosens the shoulders.
Do a large number 8 in each zone on each side of the ice. Start to the right on one side and to the left on the other. Do a different exercise in each zone. 1-forward moving the hands and feet. 2-backward moving the hands and feet. 3-face one end transition skating forward to back. (if there is a goalie shoot and change sides) 4-forward with the puck only on the forehand side of the blade. 5. forward with the puck only on the backhand side of the blade. 6. every third stride rotate first to the inside then face the outside all around the 8.
An example of the moves with one puck is on this video with IIHF Hall of Fame Russian coach Vladimir Jursinov leading a group of u20 and u17 players in Europe.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/filemgmt/index.php?id=6
Day Three
Overload the nervous system and challenge the player with 3 objects of varying weights and sizes.
Racquet ball, tennis ball and hockey ball are used here. Replace the heaviest object with a puck, then the next heaviest then handle 3 pucks for a lap, then 2 pucks, then go through the Russian Big Moves Warm up with one puck.
Make big moves and handle the puck all around the body.
Move around the 4 small nets inside the middle circle and focus on keeping the puck on the forehand in the triple threat position.
Overload the nervous system and challenge the player with 3 objects of varying weights and sizes.
Racquet ball, tennis ball and hockey ball are used here. Replace the heaviest object with a puck, then the next heaviest then handle 3 pucks for a lap, then 2 pucks, then go through the Russian Big Moves Warm up with one puck. Make big moves and handle the puck all around the body.
Move around the 4 small nets inside the middle circle and focus on keeping the puck on the forehand in the triple threat position.
Dary 3
Overload the nervous system and challenge the player with 3 objects of varying weights and sizes.
Racquet ball, tennis ball and hockey ball are used here. Replace the heaviest object with a puck, then the next heaviest then handle 3 pucks for a lap, then 2 pucks, then go through the Russian Big Moves Warm up with one puck. Make big moves and handle the puck all around the body.
Move around the 4 small nets inside the middle circle and focus on keeping the puck on the forehand in the triple threat position.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011062308381933
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Day 4
Today we progressed to 4 objects and did them from heaviest to lightest, which is much harder.
Start with 4 pucks then replace the pucks one at a time with a.
1-Hockey ball + 3 pucks
2-Plastic puck, hockey ball + 2 pucks
3-Plastic puck, hockey ball, tennis ball + 1 puck
4-Plastic puck, hockey ball, tennis ball, racquet ball
Progress to handling 2 pucks in a small obstacle course.
Carry one puck on the forehand side in the triple threat position but always face the middle
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=17&page=1
TomM
Planning Practices
I make diagrams and then copy and paste them on the TC Whiteboard practice plan template. The diagrams are on the left and the description on the right. I have put about 400 diagams on my skydrive. The link opens a slide presentation but they are easier to use if the 'View on Skydrive' option at the top is chosen. Almost all of these diagrams with descriptions have been posted on this site and at least half have the diagram, description and vido demonstration. To get the positings use the search function with the title. A few hundred also have video demonstrations.
http://cid-bd6fa116988317e9.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=play&resid=BD6FA116988317E9!1165&type=5&authkey=2tn93cM7a5o$&Bsrc=EMSHHM&Bpub=SN.Notifications
I will attach the Word Template. I save it as a Word file and then make a PDF file out of it. Any picture file will go there so if coaches have their own diagrams they also work.
95% of my diagrams are coded in the ABC format. This is like a library coding to make it easier to find things. Sometime you have to click on the diagram and read the code above as I sometimes forgot to put the code on the diagram itself.
A - Skating and individual skill
B - Partner skills
C - Game situation drills
D - Games full and SAG
DT - Transition games
E - Shootouts and contests
T - Teaching drills and games where the coach is controlling the situation and giving instruction on individual skills or team play.
The forum won't allow me to attach a docx file but the template is in the file section at. http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/filemgmt/index.php?id=35
An example of how the pdf looks is posted below.
TomM
This belongs here more than with the other thread. It is the most effective way to kill two short vs a PP with two pointment. It is a reversed triangle with the low D going side to side on the strong side and the two high men up and back on the weak side and up and to the middle on the strong side. It is a simple rotation. Of course if the PP moves to a diamond then you have to rotate the triangle and a low defender on the strong side has to honour the shooter on that side and net coverage goes to the weak side low man.
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T4-PK - 3-5 vs a Spread PP - Pro
Key Points:
The key is to eliminate one timer shots from the point, from the player in the middle and the back door play.
Description:
1. When the puck is passed down the D in front moves to that side.
2. Weak side high player drop low to take away back door one timer.
3. Strong side high player drop down and front the middle attacker.
4. Strong side high player get in shooting lane when puck is at the point.
5. Weak side high player cover middle and take away cross ice pass with stick.
6. Low player elininate tip ins in front but don't get tied up.
7. D to D pass everyone shift.
https://youtu.be/19ktWUhCegA
TomM
D1 Two Second Game - One Goalie - Youth
Key Points:
Face the puck, skate to open ice with the puck, get open for a pass, give a target.
Description:
Puck support is the theme of this game. One net is placed flat on the ice with the top facing one end and along the goal line.
-- To score you can only hit the top mesh with no metal noise.
- Scoring team gets the puck and go the other way after a goal.
- Team that is scored on must touch the red line before turning and checking the attackers.
- Players can handle the puck a maximum of 2" and must pass or shoot. Longer and the other team gets the puck.
- After scoring a player cannot score again until everyone on his team has scored.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110612133904232
https://youtu.be/5ShfK6IhSlU
TomM
This is a good game to use for controlled scrimmage. The defending player must pass to the coach at the point to transition to offense. The coach can stop the play and have the players freeze on the spot so he can point out offensive or defensive positioning or coverage. In a 2 on 2 situation you have all 4 game playing roles. On offense 1-player with the puck 2 - player supporting the puck. On defense you have 3 - player checking the puck carrier 4 - player covering players away from the puck. Because you start each shift with a dump in you also have the 3rd game situation of a loose puck situation.
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DT400 – 2 on 2 Coaches are Jokers at the Point
-Controlled Scrimmage Situation
-Coaches are the jokers at the points in a controlled scrimmage situation. One coach is the joker for each team.
-Everyone freeze on the whistle and coaches point out being in the proper game playing role.
1-player with the puck
2-player supporting the puck
3-player checking the puck carrier
4-player covering players away from puck
-When the puck is at the point the players are all in role 2 and role 4.
-Offensive players must get open or screen and tip.
-Defensive players must cover one player each on the defensive side, stick in the lane, box out in front.
-Keep score
DT400 - Quick Transition 2-2 - Coach Joker – Prospects
https://youtu.be/p6cHAkTJuhA
TomM
C600 Flow Alexander 2 on 1
Key Points:
On a 2-1 attack with speed and think first of scoring, If possible make the first pass near the blue line to allow a second play when reading the defender.
Defender stay in the middle and read the most dangerous player. It is really a 2-2 with the goalie.
Description:
1. F1 Leave and pass across to D1 and follow the pass breaking up the boards.
2. D1 skate to big ice between dots and pass to F1.
3. F1 pass to F2 who attacks 2-1 with F1 vs D1who plays a tight gap back.
4. When the original attack turns up ice start in the other direction with F3 passing to D2 who defends the other goal.
Options:
You could do this flow up to a 3-2.
TomM
We only had one goalie at the Polish U16 practice so I modified this one goalie transition game. It was a little confusing for them at the start because no one speaks english and they don't play transition games. Once the coach caught onto to the flow it worked really well.
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DT400 - Game of Support-Regroup-Attack-Defend-Breakout - U15
Key Points:
This is a one puck transiton game. Regroup with support on the strong side boards and in the middle. If the puck goes across ice flow with the play.
Description:
A. Red 1 or 2 get a pass from the blue 3 or 4.
B. Red 1 and 2 attack 2-2 vs blue 1 and 2.
C. Blue 3 and 4 follow the attack to the top of the circles and give passive support (if the puck is carried higher than they are active)
D. The defending 1 or 2 pass to 3 or 4 on transition or after a goal.
E. Blue 3 and 4 regroup with Red 3 and 4 and turn and attack vs the original offensive players Red 3 and 4.
D. Continue this flow.
Options:
Add another regroup or D to D plays like hinge or switch.
https://youtu.be/qJK6oBKv4Ug
TomM
This is a good flow drill I picked up from Rick Alexander who I coached a Polish U16 team with today.
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B6 One Touch Passes and Shoot
Key Points:
Make good passes. Give a target and skate into the pass. Keep skating while passing and shooting.
Description:
A. 1 skate and pass to 2.
B. 2 skate to the inside and pass to 1.
C. 1 pass across ice to 4.
D. 4 pass to 3.
E. 3 pass to 1
F. 1 attack the net and shoot to score and rebound.
Rotation: 1 replace 2 who replaces 3 who replace 4.
Options. screen after shooting or curl back to rebound for the next shooter. Another option is to one touch pass with the next shooter so he can do a one timer.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110603080156202
https://youtu.be/TtCD6uKzTGI
TomM
E1 Shootout 2-0 Both Must Score
Key Points:
Goalie vs Goalie and Team vs Team. Attack with speed and shoot to score. Goalie focus on the shooter then play the pass or rebound. Keep the puck alive after it is frozen.
Description:
1. Two players leave from each team.
2. Only one pass is allowed in the offensive zone.
3. Both players must score.
4. After the first goal get a new puck.
5. Stay in the zone until you score. Goalie shoot frozen pucks to the side.
Rule: Score on first shot then no laps. Score on second shot one lap. If it takes three or more shots to score two laps. Losing goalie one lap.
E1 - 2 on 0 Shootout Race - Mike Johnston
https://youtu.be/nFXeVFqUJDM
TomM
DT4 Game with Three Jokers 1-1 to 3-3
Key Points:
Move quickly from defense to offense by passing to a joker and then open for a pass.
Coaches can be Jokers and give the players tips on getting open or other game play concepts.
Description:
1. Jokers in each corner and at the blue line.
2. Play a game where you must pass to a joker before you can score.
3. Jokers pass back to the team that passed to them.
TomM
B6 Pass and Shoot While Skating - U18 F-U17-U20
Key Points:
Most players have to coast before passing or shooting. In this exercise the players must keep their feet moving. It is important to keep the stick square to the puck and the hands away from the body.
Description:
1. Leave 2-0 from each corner and allow the players in front 2 or 3 passes before starting.
2. Pass while skating they can be one touch or two touch then pass.
3. Shoot before reaching the hash marks and rebound.
4. Switch sides with the inside player going to the outside when you go the other way.
5. Switch corners after a few minutes so the goalies get shots from the other side.
B6 Jursi Skate and Pass - U18 F
https://youtu.be/gsWhWvXq2bc
B6 - Jursi 2-0 Skate and Pass x 2 - No Shot - U17
https://youtu.be/P_gx6-rJeOA
B6 Jursi 2-0 with Regroup - U20
https://youtu.be/maYtXZL22Bg
TomM
E1 - 3 Shot Change on the Go Shootout
Key Points:
Players should work on selling the fake, change of pace and making the goalie move first. The goalie must time his retreat into the net to keep good angles on shots and cover the goal line on dekes.
Description:
Players are in the box and one puck on each blue line for every player.
Player from each team leaves the box and tries to score. If they score they race to the box and touch the boards and then the next player can leave.
Max 3 shots and then they must change of the go with another player.
First team to score with all the pucks wins. It works better to put the pucks on the blue line than in the middle as in the diagram.
To make it realistic the goalie should practice starting from the goal line and coming out.
TomM
A300 - Stickhandle Proprioceptive Overload - Pro
Key Points:
Use multiple pucks and balls to overload the nervous system and control them all around the body. With one puck over extend to increase your reach. Separate the movement of the upper and lower body, loosen the shoulders and use head and shoulder fakes. Practice moving the puck from the stick to the skates and back, as well as controlling the puck from in front and behind.
The exercises can be done off ice as well. Of course the speed has to be increased and it all has to be put into game situations vs. opponents.
Description:
1. Handle two or three, four pucks at once never letting them get more than a stick length away.
2. Reach with one hand as far back and forward as possible.
3. Slalom to the right and reach with the puck to the left and visa-versa in order to separate the movement of the upper and lower body.
4 .Repeat the same thing but this time skate and power away from the puck.
5. Move the puck from the stick to the inside and outside skate edges and back.
6. Bring the puck thru the skates on the forehand and backhand.
7. Hands close together and legs wide apart and use head and shoulder fakes.
8. Toe drag and move to the forehand and the backhand.
9. Fake a slapshot and accelerate to the forehand and backhand.
10. Handle two or three, four different kinds of balls around the body. i.e. tennis, racquet, hockey, Keep the balls within a stick length and under control.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20140616121941979
https://youtu.be/UzDm9MxGuBc
https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.839334323643033/382477733221668
TomM
Puck Protection and Battling Along the Boards Sequence
This is the sequence I use when coaching puck protection skills and the the offensive and defensive battles along the boards.
We work on escape moves, cut backs, going into the boards at an angle and protecting yourself along the boards before we do this.
Then:
1. Puck protection shielding the puck offensively and stick on the puck on defense. Partner work all over the ice.
2. a. Partners along the boards. a. cut backs, change of pace, pass to self for ten seconds then alternate.
b. Protect the puck while the defender passively works on keeping the stick on the puck and on the ice.
c. Ten second battles alternating who starts with the puck.
3. Move to one end and use both corners or if there is a goalie only one corner. Use the same sequence as in 2 but add go to the net on the whistle. ie. vs. passive resistance and then battle.
4. Play a d400 low game from the top of the circles in of 1 on 1 on 1. All against each other. Lots of battling and puck protection skills needed.
5. Another D400 game from the top of the circles. We had 8 at one end and 10 at the other. 2 on 2 and when you get the puck you pass to the waiting players who attack vs the original attackers. Sequence like in the Perry Pearn of attack-defend-pass-rest. New attackers go on offense as soon as the get the puck.
6. D100 game with one minute shifts and pass to goalie on the whistle. All goals must come from playes originating below the goal line. This rule causes board battles to happen and the skills just practiced are needed.
I am attaching a pdf of the sequence.
We did a warm up and a shootout after.
TomM
B500 - 1-1 Puck Battles - Pro
Key Points:
Offensive player protect the puck with the body and skates, use cutbacks, fakes, change of pace. Go into the boards at an angle, Hands up on the glass when hit from behind. Defender stick on stick, body on body and maintain defensive side always.
Description:
1. Partners take turns moving up and down the boards protecting the puck for 10".
2. One player protect the puck and the other mirror from the defensive side keeping the stick on the puck.
3. Battle each other along the boards.
4. Goalies work on technique at one end.
https://youtu.be/t45uu-fpHOo
https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.835518844024581/541847933524355
TomM
A2 - Defensive Back Skating- RB Pro
Key Points:
All the players including the goalies do this. Zig zag back keeping good posture and practice reaching with a poke check with the knees bent and the back straight.
Description:
1. Players start in 3 lines at one end of the ice.
2. Skate backward 3 or 5 strides in a zig-zag pattern from one side to the other.
3. Keep the elbow back to hide the reach of the stick and then extend the stick at the finish of each repetition.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20090805115341660
https://youtu.be/KrkgO0wSvnw
https://www.facebook.com/518555930/videos/pcb.835502727359526/179272380898552
TomM
A1 Introduction to Balance on Ice and the Sideway Motion of Skating - Gaston Schaeffer
Key Points:
We walk and run with a front to back movement of our legs. Skating is a foreign movement because it is side to side. Gaston uses balls and pucks to introduce beginners to the side to side weight transfer. Dr. Gaston Schaeffer introduces this unnatural movement along with proper skating posture with a sequence of exercises using balls, pucks, hurdles, etc.
https://youtu.be/iXllqf9VTgY
Description:
• Walk across the ice.
• While standing on the same spot, try and bend the body in all possible positions.
• Walk to a puck, bend over, pick up the puck, return to starting point and repeat.
• While standing try to stand on 1 foot, then the other.
• Walk and then glide on 2 feet.
• Take a puck in your hand and throw it ahead of you; go to it; pick it up and repeat the exercise
until you have crossed the width of the rink.
• Walk on the ice.
• The coach spreads pucks all around on the other side of the ice. Walk to where the pucks are, by
stepping over the sticks laid on the ice. See how many pucks you can collect.
• Put hurdles on the ice (24-28"/60-70 cm in height) get the skaters to pass under hurdles to
go and collect the pucks (this forces them to bend the knees).
• Combine the going over the sticks and under the hurdles, to provide a new challenge.
• Introduce the tennis ball. Start by having skaters pass the ball from hand to hand while walking across the width of the arena.
• Try to do the same thing while skating backwards for a short period of time (to prevent boredom and
frustration).
• Develop the glide by trying to pass the ball from hand to hand as you stride.
• Introduce the bouncing of the ball while walking or gliding across the ice.
• Skate across the ice skating under and over hurdles of different height ranging from 4-28"/10-70
cm.
• Skate backwards by passing the ball from hand to hand.
• Skate backwards by trying to move a puck between your feet.
• Skate forward by passing a puck between your feet.
• Skate forward passing the puck between your feet and the ball from hand to hand. • Skate while passing the puck from 1 foot to the other.
• Skate while bouncing the ball from hand to hand at the same time as you move from 1 foot to the
other.
• Skate, passing the ball from hand to hand as you skate from 1 foot to the other.
• Skate, passing the puck between the feet and the ball from hand to hand while skating forward.
• Same exercise as above but backwards.
• Put up some hurdles – try to jump over (4"/10 cm) some and slide under others (16"/40 cm).
• To increase the level of difficulty, add low hurdles, asking the skaters to first step over them while bouncing the ball on the ice.
• Spread pucks around the ice – the players move around the ice and pick up the pucks by bending their
knees and keeping a straight back. They then put the pucks into the puck bag. This activity works on the
proper skating posture and balance.
• Skate forward and hop over a low hurdle then, as quickly as possible, turn around and catch the
ball thrown by a teammate or coaching assistant.
• Same as above but upon landing turn around in the opposite direction.
• Skate forward and hop over the hurdle, then fall in a roll – get up, turn around and catch the ball.
• Same exercise but the other direction (turning around the other way).
• Jump over a hurdle, crouch under the next hurdle then do a slalom around 5 pylons on 1 foot, then jump over the last hurdle and catch the ball as you jump.
• Repeat the same exercise but doing the slalom on the opposite foot.
• Skate forward and stop – as you stop, you will catch the ball thrown to you at the same time as the command.
• Skate backwards – at the command turn around as your the partner throws the ball for you to catch.
• Same exercise but turn around the other way.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110426080619788
https://youtu.be/iXllqf9VTgY
TomM
A2 Forward Stride Mechanics Taught by Dr. Gaston Schaeffer
I have been focusing on skating technique. Most coaches, me included have many skating drills. I have posted the Minnesota drills and many from Finland and Sweden and they are great. The only problem is that if we do these with improper mechanics we only teach the kid's to get "really good at bad techniuque." So it is imperative that we have proper mechanics.
I have put videos of Gaston talking about and teaching skating and I know it helps me and hope it helps other coaches.
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A2 Forward Stride Mechanics Taught by Dr. Gaston Schaeffer
Key Points:
Be in a balanced position with a good knee bend. Use as much blade as possible. To start fall forward and push back the first few strides and then skate with a sideways push. The arms move opposite the legs in a back and forth motion never causing the upper body to over rotate. Lead with the head up and chest forward.
Description:
I have put together various videos of Dr. Gaston Schaeffer teaching skating. Gaston has a Doctorate in Body Mechanics and taught at University in Switzerland where he was the Swiss figure skating Champion and followed that being feature skater for Ice Capades and Holiday on Ice where he toured the world. He met his wife while touring and they had a girl and a boy. Gaston was the Olympic figure skating coach for Switzerland as well as in charge of fitness for their speed skating team. He worked with Juhani Wahlsten in Davos when Juuso was coaching there.
Gaston Junior demonstrates the forward stride. He is one of the most powerful skaters I have seen. He suffered a major injury at 18 and stopped playing but his technique is perfect.
The video goes in this order.
1. Gaston talking about the mechanics of the forward stride while I film him on my deck.
2. Gaston and his son doing an on ice demonstration with Gaston describing the important points of the stride.
3. Gaston leads a group through a forward skating and balance warm up.
4. Gaston teaching that group the mechanics of the forward stride starting with the long stride first, then the start and the medium length stride.
5. Gaston leading a U17 skills group. Dany Heatley came and skated with them that day. He had just won the NHL Roookie of the Year. He came as a favour to me to say hi and skate about 15 minutes but because we did transition games all practice he stayed and played and did the skating as well (he has a black sweatsuit and hat on).
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110425003603435
https://youtu.be/m0QNMLTyess
TomM
A2 - Edges and Balance Warm up - Gaston - Jasper
Key Points:
Be in a good athletic positon with the knees bent, back upright and lead with the chest and head up. Use all of the edges.
Description:
Gaston leads a skating warm up.
Exercises use the inside and outside edges, proper body position both forward and backward as well as a one skate exercise that requires a good balance position and use of all of the edges.
https://youtu.be/a7C9o5CmFSA
TomM
A2- Forward and Backward Stride and Choctaw Turn - Gaston
Key Points:
Practice turning from front to back and don’t lose any speed. This turn is smooth with a minimum of crossovers. (Chocktow Turn)
Description:
Gaston Schaeffer teaches an efficient transition turn from forward to backward. The benefit of this pivot is that the player keeps the skating momentum.
If skating to the right the weight is on the right leg and the left skate goes behind at an angle to the turn, the player transfers the weight to the left leg and does a crossover.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110421072659315
TomM
A2 - Gaston Schaeffer Skating Instruction - Youth
Key Points:
Be in a strong athletic position with the knees bent, seat down, shoulders no farther forward than the knees and the head up. The skating stride starts with a fall and about 3 forward pushes and then it is a sideways motion. When skating backwards stride sideways and don’t turn the heel to the inside. Replace the Mohawk turn with the much more efficient Transition Turn.
Description:
Gaston Schaeffer leads a group of 12-14 year old girls and boys. They cover:
1. Forward long stride.
2. Forward medium stride.
3. Quick start.
4. Basic backward stride and starting.
5. Transition turn from front to back that is much more efficient than the Mohawk Turn.
A2 – Skating Warm up for Agility and Balance – Jasper Camp
https://youtu.be/7DKq8pfeFSA
A - Skating Instruction and Practice - U18 F
https://youtu.be/FgrqUfDa9_U
A2 Forward Stride Mechanics Taught by Dr. Gaston Schaeffer
https://youtu.be/m0QNMLTyess
A5 - Crossover Basics - 5 Circles - Jasper – Gaston
https://youtu.be/MjFqt2euYyk
A2 - Choctaw and Tight Turns – Dr. Gaston Schaeffer
https://youtu.be/shujBk3w0d0
A2 Backward Cross-over Principles 3 - U18 F
https://youtu.be/U67WKtRt6lU
TomM
T2-4 - D100 - Roles 2 and 4 Specialty Team Scrimmage
It is very difficulty to practice specialty team or even strength situations with one team. Most youth teams have less than 4 lines and 4 sets of D and this makes high tempo scrimmage too difficult. Even if you do have 20 skaters the W/R ratio is too short.
When I was and asst. coach at the U of Calgary with Willie Desjardins he would arrange specialty team scrimmages with the Canadian National Team which was based in Calgary at that time. We would take turns with 5 minute pplays and work on our specialty teams.
The last few seasons I have arranged scrimmages with college teams or minor midget AAA teams to play my WWHL team and we have worked on our systems for both even and uneven situations. We did this at least 6 times last season and it is a great way to focus on systems for the pk, pp, forecheck, dzone etc.
Key Points:
Divide the team into two groups and each gets a 5 min. power play with a ref. Great to play other teams in a specialty team game. Play all odd number situations 5 on 4, 5 on 3, 4 on 3. It is also a good method to practice even strength 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5.
Description:
1. Arrange a scrimmage with another team.
2. Take turns with all numerical situations that happen in a game.
3. Suggested rotation with a 3 minute time out before each segment for coach to go thru the team play situation at the bench.
a. Ten minute warm up.
b. 3 minute time out 5 on 4 for 5 minutes each.
b. 5 on 3 each team and then 3' time out.
c. 4 on 4 each team and then a 3' time out.
d. 5 on 5 each team and then a 3' time out.
e. Coaches agree on a situation they want to focus on.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080723183918140
TomM
C500 Cut Backs and Escape Moves - Youth
Key Points:
Protect the puck with the body on offense. Cut back turning toward the boards. Defender stay lined up with the back of the inside shoulder and stick on the puck.
Description:
1. Leave on the whistle and practice cut backs, tight turns. Go to the net on the second whistle while the next players leave.
2. Two players leave and the second player stays on the D side with the stick on the puck and gives passive resistance.
3. This is a battle and the defender tries to get the puck. On the second whistle whoever has the puck go to the net.
*Without goalies both sides can go at once and with a goalie alternate sides. Players switch sides after doing both offense and defense.
http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011041612155482
https://youtu.be/x0e9-Vn8W80
TomM
This is a skating warm-up that Gaston uses at the start of each skating session. The players use all of the edges and need to be in a solid balance position to accomplish everything. It is our Jasper camp and the players range from 7-14 years old.
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A2 Skating Warm-up for Edges and Balance
Key Points:
Good players can move in all directions efficiently because they and use all edges and have great balance on the ice. Routines for skating, puck handling, shooting and passing are efficient ways for a coach to quickly review the foundation skills and allow the players to get a lot of reps and improve at their own rate.
Description:
A2 Formation - Players start at one end and skate to the other end.
- inside edges - out and in using a snowplow.
- inside edges - sculling one leg at a time on the inside edges.
- outside and inside edges - slalom with the skates together and a good knee bend.
- balance and edges - one length of the ice on each leg.
Repeat the same sequence but skate Backward.
A2 – Skating Warm up for Agility and Balance – Jasper Camp
https://youtu.be/7DKq8pfeFSA
The same warm up with 12-14 year olds.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110423080435937
'Enjoy the Game'