This weekend there is a talent ID camp for the Bantam U15 Royals. There are 4 teams with 36 skaters and 12 goalies divided equally. They will have one practice with two teams on the ice at once and then play 3 games.

Niklas Westerlund wrote a Thesis for his degree in Finland. He talks about the Finnish view of 'Our Game' and he quotes from Juhani and my book quite a few times. I have attached his Thesis for anyone who is interested in the Finns view of how the game should be practiced.

Sounds like a fun year . I had a 25 year old helping me this year ( I'm 55 ) Fantastic coach, worked incredibly well together . So well we won Provincials ( Alberta ) . These young men will be in for an incredible season with you - good luck !!!!
------------------------------

SMAC, sound like you had a great season and a fantastic experience.
I let them know I want Jim as an asst. and it sounds like it is a go. He can do the F and Alex the D and I will organize the practices.

Great age group to coach . They will eat up your knowledge . I'm currently coaching Minor Midget AAA . Fantastic league . You should check it out next season . Good Luck

------------------------------------------------
I gave that level as my first preference but I haven't coached in this organization since I had Chuck Fletcher (Minn. GM) as one of my Midget AA players. Since that season I coached men's ACAC college 4 years, CIS men 8 years, Female ACAC college 5, WWHL 2, U18G 3 and Red Bulls skill coach for 2 pro a U20 and U17 team (head coach of U17) one season. So it has been a long time. I have been doing skill classes for the school district with the Bantam aged kid's since I returned from Austria 5 years ago. Also lots of the spring and summer things I do are with the same age group. I coached my son's team from 97-2003 through Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget. (11-16 years) and paid for his year at a sports school by doing skill classes with U16 boy's 3 times a week for two years. So I have been all over the place with boy's, men, girl's, Women and then the Korean high school, college and pro teams for 9 summers, hockey schools and camps in Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, USA, Mexico, Canada.

It is always the same game with the same skills. Just different starting points with each group.

The Bantams U15 should be a strong group of players because the Pee Wee U13 teams that supply the new players have been very good the last few seasons. I am looking forward to it. The organization asked me to take on an assistant who played quite a lot and wants to get into coaching. He seems like a good fit. Yesterday my son got his acceptance letter to Law school in Calgary and it sounds like he wants to choose here and if he does he wants to help coach as well. So one old guy and two assistants in their 20's should work well.

A girl I have been doing private sessions with the last 3 years recently signed a 'letter of intent' to go to the current NCAA Div. 1 Champs in 2015. I did two sessions with her Easter weekend. They are giving her a Full Ride, which means they really want her. That is what putting in the extra time and effort means.

I have decided to move back to boy's hockey and will be coaching a Bantam AA team next year in the Calgary Royals Association.

The team will be mostly first year Bantams; so 13 and 14 year old players. Lots of emphasis on skill development.

The first talent id camp is May 2-4 and tryouts are in late August.

Dave, I checked it and everything is there. It starts with DWC 10-11 then 11-12 then DWC 13-14. I wasn't a member in 12-13.

I have to fix the pdf in the files section. It is too big at 102 mb and doesn't load on my devices. The whole thing is over 500 pages. I will have to put it in smaller sections.
Tom

Quote by: TomM

It is always strange when you wrap up a season. Those players will never be in a dressing room at the same time and I may never see some of them again in my life. About 45 games and 80 practices. Six graduate, a new sports school is opening that some will attend, some will move, one or two will quit. Calgary may go down to one team and then some won't make it. Who knows what I will be doing next season.

Every year is the same. I hope they learned something and enjoyed the season. The kid's were great to work with and I saw them slowly improve as the year went on. The one's who came to practice with the focus to get better improved a lot.

We just wrapped up our season this weekend with a tournament at Lake Placid, NY. I feel the same way Tom.

Tim

Quote by: TomM

I was part of the Drill of the Week Club again this season. The link has been on the homepage for a long time but I wasn't a member last season. Each coach posts 4 drills or games, recommend a book and give a quotation. I have added this years drills. Over a hundred from coaches of all levels but most are college, European pro, and higher level minor hockey. Great material. These guys are a lot smarter than I am.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=bd6fa116988317e9&resid=BD6FA116988317E9!2157&parid=BD6FA116988317E9!111&authkey=!AF613RI-y435Wz8

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice work Tom, really good stuff here. (nobody is smarter than you)

Quote by: TomM

We won the first play-off round with two consecutive 2-1 wins vs. the other Calgary AAA team. We then played the top team a 3 of 5 series. Game one we had a 4-3 lead with a minute left but the scored with the goalie pulled in the last minute and won in OT. Game two they clobbered us 6-2 and then we had two practices. Game three we returned the favour and clobbered them 5-2. Game four was very tight. We led 1-0 after one, they tied it in the second and scored with 5 minutes left to lead 2-1. We got about 4 good chances with the goalie pulled but couldn't score. So we lost the series 3-1 are are eliminated.

I was very happy with the way we played in the play-offs. The team that beat us out scored over 100 goals in the 32 game schedule compared to our 54, We were offensively challenged but basically matched them in our series.

We have a practice on Wednesday and finish off with two exhibition games in Banff vs. the Banff Hockey Academy. We stay overnight.

Another sports school is starting up in Calgary. They are after our players and the ones who played for the team that just beat us out because those players live in the surrounding communities. I have no idea why parents pay between 18 000-35 000 to go to these sports schools. They seem to think that it enhances their child's chances for a college scholarship. We added a 90 minute practice per week to our schedule and now practice 4:15 hrs. per week as opposed to 4:45 at these schools. We do spin on the exercise bikes every Monday for an hour. They train off ice a few days a week.

If you are good enough you will get scholarship offers. Every player I have coached the last three years who has the talent has been offered a scholarship.

It is hard to fight perception; especially when these schools need students to pay the teacher salaries and facility costs. They tell them stories that just ARE NOT true and convince them that they need to attend these places if they want to play at the next level.

What you do need is.
1. High compete level
2. Talent.
3. Good coaching.
4. Adequate training time.

We offer that in spades.

------------------------------------------------------
It is amazing isn't it.

I ran a Select Team for our Atom Division this year, and we were able to keep the cost to $5.00 per session. We even had one of the Dad's Ref our games for free (a junior A coach)
We need to keep the cost of hockey down...... We are losing great talent because of the cost.

---------------------------------
Nike - Bauer etc. are making the game a rich person sport. Dany Heatley took his family down to Mexico to tour the Easton stick plant about 6 years ago. It costs them about $17 to make the one piece they charge $350 for. They are killing the Golden Goose with this 2000% markup. People think young kid's must travel to play with elite players at young ages and the travel cost is huge.

At some point parents may realize the key is: How good does the player skate, shoot, puck handle, compete, see the ice. etc. If you are good at these things then you will end up playing at the level your skill and compete level earns you.

Flyers Practice Plan Date: 25-02-14 Time: 16:00-17:30 Venue: Max Bell 2

Notes:
Skating, pass, shoot, break-out vs. Pinch Rebounds, puck support, 1-1, 2-1, Puck handle, Agility, balance, edges


10 ‘ – 3’ Individual Big Moves

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.

7’
A200 Chaos Puck Handling

Key Points:

Make moves, protect the puck, go hard on the whistle. Designate moves, add pucks, play keepaway, use ball, multiple pucks, etc.

Description:

1. Carry a puck and protect it while skating in random directions. Stay in the zone.
2. Go hard for about 5" on the whistle and slow down on the next whistle.
3. Coach designate the move to be practiced, i.e, tight turn when you approach someone.
4. Exchange pucks-pass with eye contact.
5. Spread pucks around which also must be avoided.
6.Keepaway-coach take a puck away every 10".

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080722090625893

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080722090624390

8’
B6 Chaos 3-0 Pass and Shoot

Key Points:

Give a target, pivot to face the puck all the time; use forehand passes and backhand only when passing forward.

Description:

1. Three players leave from each end.
2. Each group passes one puck in nzone.
3. On the whistle player with the puck shoot.
4. Other two players save ice and get a pass from the corner and shoot. a few seconds apart.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20101006084345432

10’
B202 Neutral Zone Regroup 1-0 and 2-0 - Pro

Key Points:

Start by exchanging the puck and always face the puck when pivoting for the return.

Description:

1. Players face each other and regroup in the neutral zone 1-0 then 2-0 and then attack. Start with exchanging the puck and then the breakout pass.
2. On the 2-0 practice chipping by the D to enter the zone or simply enter 2-0 with crosses.
3. You can add defense by having the shooter go out and defend the next attack.
4. When just shooting follow the rebound then circle back for the rebound from the next shooter.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20090813080849924

15’
B5 Murdoch Breakout Routine E and F – Winger Chip-out

Key Points:

On all of these both wingers can go and time their skating to be available for the pass. Add the centreman to do 5-0 full ice reps.

Description:

E. Coach dumps the puck in D1 gets it, D2 skates to the front of the net and calls for the pass D to D. Both wings watch the puck from the middle zone and time their skating to be available for the pass. D1 behind to D2 to F1 to D2 to F2 and out. try to pass to all three forwards and back to D twice. i.e. D to C to D to F2 to F1.
F. Coach calls the breakout (i.e. reverse) and all 5 breakout and try to score at the other end.
Practice all of the options doing about 2 reps each line of 5.

Example:
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20080720200746400

10’
B6, 2-0, Regroup, 1-1 then 2-1 Back

Key Points:

Forwards pass to the outside and skate to the middle with the puck. Face the puck all the time. D pivot with the puck. D work with the goalie and only give away poor shots. Forwards attack with speed and make the first play early. One high one low; one fast one slow.

Description:

1. F1 and F2 leave from diagonal corners.
2. D1 leave from diagonal bluelines.
3. F's regroup with D in nzone.
4. F's skate to far blue-D follow.
5. F's turn at own blueline.
6. F's attack 2-2 vs. D1's.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort =0&s=20101007155153211

13’
D100 One Pass in Each Zone

Key Points:

Close support, skate to open ice with the puck, give a target.

Description:

1. Play full ice either in shifts or all on the ice at once.
2. There must be at least one pass made in each zone. If not the other team gets the puck.
3. Controlled scrimmage so everyone stop on the whistle for coach input.
4. With shifts in a D100 game pass back to the goalie on the whistle.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011032414361323

8’ Scoring Contest - Rebounds

B5 2-0 Shot - Rebound – Shot

Key Points:

Shoot while skating and aim at the far pad. It is really a shot pass off the goalies pad when the shooter sees he has no openings and #2 is going hard to the net.

Description:

1. Start in the B5 formation with the players inside the middle circle.
2. Each #1 leave to the wide lane and get a pass from #2.
3. #1 Skate wide and shoot from outside the circle and shoot low to the far pad to create a rebound.
4. #2 go hard to the far post and be ready to shoot in a rebound.
5. Repeat the other way with each #3 leaving and getting a pass from #4.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121108160612789

We are preparing for the second round of the play-offs. The goal is to do everything faster, review good habits and play man on man defense in our end. We are playing a team that doubled our goals this season; so we have to be great on defense and make them play defense against us. They only lost 6 games all season but we were 2-3 against them and two of the losses were by one goal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flyers Practice Plan Date: 18-02-14 Time: 16:00-17:30 Venue: Max Bell 2

Notes:
Man on man defense in all games. 3-0, 3-1, 3-2, D to D, shoot, point shots,
1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 16 skaters and 2 goalies.

10’
Start with 3 min. of individual puck handling.

A300 x 2 Skating and Puck Handling Warm-up with Shots

Key Points:

Do various moves with the puck and finish with a shot.

Description: One group rotate clockwise and the other counter clockwise.

1. Do various skating moves with the puck.
2. Big moves all around the body, in the skates, through the legs etc.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121031084114911

10’
C3 Flow - Breakout - 2 F Shoot - D Point Shot

Key Points:

Pass hard, keep skating all the time. Pass and follow the pass. Screen, rebound.

Description:

This happens the same time from each end.

1 - D1 pass behind to D2.
2 - F1 get breakout pass from D2.
3 - F1 skate to big ice and pass to F2.
4 - F2 drop pass to F1 who attacks and shoot
5 - D1 pass to D2.
6 - D2 pass to F2 who skated around circle.
7 - F2 attack and shoot..
8 - D2 follow attack and get a pass from F1.
9 - D2 take a point shot and F1 screen.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20140115151610936

12’
C3, 3-0, 3-1, 3-2 - Total Hockey

Key Points:

Attack with a middle drive and speed. Hit the net and drive for rebounds. Only allow one pass on the 3-0. Attack with speed and make plays early while defenders delay the attack.

Description:

1. One group on each side in the neutral zone.
2. Everyone attacks and defends.
3. Play rebounds until a goal or the puck is behind the net or outside the dots.
4. Coach pass new puck if a goal is scored.
5. One defender follow the rush on 3-0 and two follow the 3-1 rush.
6. Keep score.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2013012209054791

10’
DT400 1-1, 2-2, Support-Attack-Defend

Key Points:

Defending player stay on the defensive side. Supporting player give a target for the pass and get into an open lane.

Description:

1.F1 attack D1 at each end.
2. Players line up on the boards with the first player in line D1 supporting the defense.
3. The coach can determine whether the supporting defender is passive or active.
4. On a turnover or a goal the breakout pass is made to the supporting defender from D1 to F2..
5. Carry the puck to the red line or if the team has a full ice practice, carry the puck to the far blue line.
6. F2 Attack vs. the original attacker
.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20090726104059741

15’
D100 Full Ice Game - Various Situations Stress Man on Man Defense

Key Points:

Switch between all four game roles.
1-puck carrier.
2-puck support.
3-check puck carrier.
4-cover away from the puck.
Situations: offense, defense, loose puck.

Description:
1. Start with the players line up along the boards in the neurtal zone.
2. Play situations from 1-1 to 4-4, including uneven situations like 2 on 3.
3. Play for 30" and pass to teammate on the whistle.
4. On a goal defenders must touch the red line.

13’
D1 One Pass in Each Zone – Give and Go Goals Only

Key Points:

Close support, skate to open ice with the puck, give a target.

Description:

1. Play full ice either in shifts or all on the ice at once.
2. There must be at least one pass made in each zone. If not the other team gets the puck.
3. Controlled scrimmage so everyone stop on the whistle for coach input.
4. With shifts in a D100 game pass back to the goalie on the whistle.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011032414361323

6’
D200 Angling game

Key Points:

Checkers create an angle on puck carrier and take away their time and space with body on body and stick on the puck.

Description:

1. D200 lineup outside blue line.
2. On whistle carry the puck behind the net and checkers leave and create good angles.
3. Play 20-30 seconds.
4. Puck carrier can try to come out short side.
5. Keep score. Play to a certain score and losing team do something like push ups. Play a short series.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20111005185904685

6’
D200 Straight on Angling Game

Key Points:
Both teams go behind their net on the whistle.
Defenders close the gap and maintain the defensive side.

Description:

D200 Straight on Angling Game

1. Teams are lined up behind blue line.
2. On the whistle each team skates behind their net.
3. Attackers try to score and defenders gain a tight gap and D side.
4. Play a cross ice game for 20-30"
5. On whistle pass to coach and the other team is on offense first.
6. Play from 1-1 to 3-3 also using odd man situations.
http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20111005190114923

6’
E1 D200 Shootout Game

Key Points:

As soon as there is a rebound or goal the defender pick up the puck and attack the other way.

Description:

1. Coach dumps the puck in and players race for it.
2. Puck carrier try to score defender defend.
3. On rebound or goal defender attack other way.
4. Shooter must get outside of the blue line.
5. When teammate onside then first player in the line backchecks.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20130109085731126

We started our play-offs vs. the other Calgary AAA team. We are about as even as you can be. We finsihed within one point of each other in the 32 game regular season and were 2-2-1 in the 5 games we played .

It was one of the strangest games I have seen. 0-0 after one and then we scored iin the first 22"s of the second period and then scored 11"s later to lead 2-0 after 33". They scored one early in the third period to make it 2-1.

They pulled the goalie for a 6-5 and we broke out of our end with about 20" left. We took a long shot from their blue line which all of my players but one thought was in. Four players went crazy celebrating and jumped on each other in a pile. The linesman waved it off and they went down on a 5 on 1 with about 10" left. My one defender stayed in the middle and the goalie made the save. The pile of 4 untangled themselves and scrambled back when the clock ran out.

I thought I had seen everything when I coached in Austria and the opposition scored on themselves two weekends in a row when they made bad regroup passes on delayed penalties and the puck went into the empty net.

We have another game today and would play Sunday if the series is even.
------------------------------------------
Won 2-1 again today. No celebration until the game ended. We won the series two games to zero and start a best 3 of 5 next weekend vs. the top team in our division. We played them 4 times during the season and were 2-2.

We played very good hard working hockey in the first round and it pays to have the best goalie in the league.

So our season lasts at least another two weeks.

Flyers Practice Plan Date: 05-02-14 Time: 20:15-21:45 Venue: Norma Bush

PDF of both Feb 5 and Feb. 7 practices attached. Diagrams and links are in the pdf's.

Notes:
Breakout options, low defensive zone Coverage, puck handle, shoot, edges, Balance, One goalie first 50 minutes. Guest coach: Terry Johnson


10’
A200 Skating Warm-up for Edges and Balance with a Puck and Shot

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. Do these skating exercises with a puck.

Description:

[/i]A200 Formation in Four Groups

- Players start at one end in 4 lines and skate to the other endwith a puck and shoot from their lane.
- 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.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20111005152108885

15 min.
TJ breakout options

We did full ice 5-0. Players in the middle and coach shoot in one corner, breakout and pass to coach, shoot in other corner, pass to coach, rim or shoot on net for goalie to set up. 5-0 down and shoot and then pass to each point for a shot. TJ forecheced and the D had to move the puck away from the pressure. He gave the some pointer after.

10’
DT400 Transition Game of 2 on 2 with a dump in.

Key Points:

Defender must maintain a tight gap and stay of the defensive side. Attacker use moves to beat the defender, fight for rebounds and loose pucks. On the dump-ins the defender must read where the checker is coming from and the attacker create good checking angles.

Description:

1.Divide the team into two colours and opposite forwards and defense play against each other at both ends.
2. F1 attack vs. D1 after skating through the middle circle.
3. Fight for rebounds and loose pucks.
4. On transition pass to F2 at the top of the circle.
5.F2 skate through the middle circle and attack vs. D2.
6. Add a regroup with the forward circling back.
7. Add a neutral zone dump-in and the D and F fight for the loose puck.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20131203153607732

20 min.
Low Dzone 3 on 3

D and C's. TJ give tips on Dside and tight gaps.

15 min.
DT100 Continuous 1 on 1, 2-1, 2-2 D - Join Attack F Backcheck

Key Points:
Forwards cover D and D cover F's. One D should join the attack to create triangles and one forward backcheck. Play tight gaps and attackers create 2 on 1's on the rush. Play 5-5 at each end.

Description:

1. Forwards line up on one side and defense on the other.
2. Start with a 1 on 1 attack Blue F1 vs. Red D1.
3. When the puck enters the zone defensive Red F1 support Red D1 and Blue D1 support Blue F1.
4. On transition Red D1 join new attack and Blue F1 backcheck
5. If the puck is dumped out with no possession the offensive team regroup and attack again.
6. Red F1-D1 now go 2 on 2 in the other direction vs. Blue D1-F1.
7. Blue F2 support Blue D1- F1 and Red D3 support attacking Red F1-D1.
8. This rotation continues with a 3-3 in each zone.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121104082522829

10’
B6 Point Shots

Key Points:

Skate forward inside the dot before pivoting to. Shoot low for a tip in or rebound. One time the second shot in option two. Hit the net. Everyone practice this skill.

Description:

Option One

a. One pass to two and then screen goalie.
b. Two drag and shoot.
c. One go to point for a shot then opposite corner.
d. Three pass to four then screen goalie.
e. Four drag and shoot.

Option Two

f. Two stay at the mid point and get a pass from four and shoot before rotating.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20120430093036462

10’
E1 Shoot Until You Score Race 1-0, 2-0, 3-0

Key Points:

Players should attack quickly, pass early, shoot to score. Goalies must battle and never give up.

Description:

1. Place one puck on the bluelines for each player on the bench according to the largest team.
2. One player leaves from the bench and must keep shooting until a goal is scored.
3. Scoring player skate hard to the bench and touch the boards with the stick and a player joins him/her and they attack 2-0.
4. Repeat after a goal and attack 3-0.
5. All three players rush back and touch the boards and then repeat.
6. The team that scores all the pucks first wins.

Flyers Practice Plan 28-01-14

Time: 16:00-17:30 Venue: Max Bell 2

Notes:
Passing and shooting while skating, 1-1,2-1, 2-2 3-3, 3-3, 5-5, Angling, gap control

16 skaters, 2 goalies


3 min. big moves then 7 min. weave
B6 3-0 With Multiple Pucks

Key Points:

This is an exercise to overload the nervous system.
Make eye contact before passing and make good firm passes.

Description:

1. Players are in 3 lines below the goal lines in each end.
2. Pass 2 pucks while filling the 3 lanes and then regroup with players at the far end and pass the 2 pucks back to the original end and then shoot both on the net, allowing the goalie to get set between shots.
3. Group at the opposite end leave after they have passed to the original group.
4. When the players are good with 2 pucks progress to passing 3 pucks.

* A good routine is to pass 3 pucks the first turn, then 2 pucks, then a 3 man weave with one puck, then add one defense and regroup with him, then add 2 defense and regoup with them and then add another regroup passing first time to one of the D and second time to the other.

8 min.
B6 Jursi Skate-Pass-Shoot

Key Points:

This is a drill that Russian Olympic coach Vladimir Jursinov used when I was coaching with him in Austria. The goal is to get players to practice passing and shooting while they skate. Puck handling-passing-shooting should be seamless.

Description:
1. A and B skate down the ice in passing while skating.
2. A is on the inside and continues on with a shot while skating.
3. B pivots facing the puck and continues the other direction passing to C.
4. B shoots and C partners with D the other way.
# This can be done in tandem on both sides of the ice.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20120227085711281

8 min.
B6 Chaos NZ Overspeed with Regroup-Pro

Key Points:

Players skate as fast as possible weaving through each other in the middle. Try various moves and dekes with the head up. Whistle about every 7 seconds.

Description:

1. Players line up against the boards at the top of the circle.
2. On the whistle skate into the nzone and make moves at top speed.

Options:
A. Skate in and shoot then rebound.
B. Skate to far blue line then in and shoot.
C. Pass to opposite line then skate and shoot

Other options:
1-Circle back for rebound.
2-Give and go with a player on the goal line.
3-Defend 1-1 vs. the next second shooter.
4-Screen and tip for next shooter.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121109101355159


10 min.
D1-D100 Two Second Game – 8 on 8

Key Points:
Supporting players must give close support plus depth and width. Puck carrier must skate hard to open ice and use escape moves, drive skating and cut backs to create passing lanes.

*This game can be played full, cross, half ice.
Great game for on ice awareness, passing skills and offensive support and defensive coverage.

Description:

1. Play full ice with either all the players on the ice at once or in shifts.
2. Players can be in possession of the puck for a maximum of 2 seconds.
3. Stress that when you get the puck the order of priorities should be:
A-Make a play.
B-Regroup.
C-Gain a zone.
3. When over 2 seconds the other team gets the puck (coach monitor).

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110324143851598

10 min.
D1 One Pass in Each Zone

Key Points:

Close support, skate to open ice with the puck, give a target.

Description:

1. Play full ice either in shifts or all on the ice at once.
2. There must be at least one pass made in each zone. If not the other team gets the puck.
3. Controlled scrimmage so everyone stop on the whistle for coach input.
4. With shifts in a D100 game pass back to the goalie on the whistle.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2011032414361323

15 min. Start 1-1 then 2-1, then 2-2
DT100 Continuous - D Join Play - F Backcheck

Key Points:

On transition all the players must go from offense to defense and defense to offense.
Sequence: Forwards - give passive support - attack - backcheck - defend - make breakout - rest.
Defense - give passive support - defend - join attack - forecheck-rest.

Description:

In the diagram the F are circles and D are triangles. Positions are labelled.

1. Blue F1 and F2 attack vs Red D1.
2. Red F1 and F2 and Blue D1 give passive support above circles. (as in a Erkka)
3. On transition, after a goal or frozen puck red D1 pass up to red F1 or F2.
4. Red F1 and F2 attack vs Blue D1.
5. Original attackers blue F1 and F2 backcheck and original defeder red D1 join the attack.
6. Play 3-3 in the zone
7. Blue F3 and F4 and red D2 wait above circles to transition the other way and blue D1 join the attack while red F1 and F2 backcheck
8. Red D2 and blue F3 and F4 support from above the circles ready to go the other way. Continue this rotation.

10 min.
C2 Angling Drill

Key Points:

Defensive player first force the play wide and approach the puck carrier from a little behind in a line with the back of the inside shoulder. Create the checking angle and then finish the check with this angle preventing the puck carrier from cutting in or back. *No Penalties and insist on Good Checking Angles.

Description;

1. Players line up along the boards in the neutral zone.
2. Coach shoot a puck toward one side near the boards and the players race for it and try to score.
3. The checking player tries to regain the puck and score on the other net. After one scoring chance return to the line up.
4. When the puck is near one goal shoot another puck for the next two players.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080720174240723

8 min.
D200 Angling game

Key Points:

Checkers create an angle on puck carrier and take away their time and space with body on body and stick on the puck.

Description:

1. D200 lineup outside blue line.
2. On whistle carry the puck behind the net and checkers leave and create good angles.
3. Play 20-30 seconds.
4. Puck carrier can try to come out short side.
5. Keep score. Play to a certain score and losing team do something like push ups. Play a short series.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20111005185904685

8 min.
D200 Straight on Angling Game

Key Points:

Both teams go behind their net on the whistle.
Defenders close the gap and maintain the defensive side.

Description:

D200 Straight on Angling Game
1. Teams are lined up behind blue line.
2. On the whistle each team skates behind their net.
3. Attackers try to score and defenders gain a tight gap and D side.
4. Play a cross ice game for 20-30"
5. On whistle pass to coach and the other team is on offense first.
6. Play from 1-1 to 3-3 also using odd man situations.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20111005190114923

8 min.
E1, 2 on 0 Shootout Race

Key Points:

Work on shooting one timers and scoring on rebounds. Good habits like face the puck, give a target with the stick on the ice.

Description:

A. 1 and 2 attack 2-0 on opposite net.
B. Pass and shoot to score.
C. Get a new puck from 3 or 4 after scoring.
D. Score a second goal.
E. After the second goal race back to the blueline.
F. One point for each race won and 5 points to win the game.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20101223080124158
--------------------------
PDF of the Wednesday practice. Cassie Campbell is the guest coach and will run the warm-up and help with the rest of practice. It is posted below. Bit of a blizzard outside now but I haven't got any cancellations because of the weather. If you don't come when the weather is bad in our winter you would miss a lot of practices.

Post practice comment:
Cassie came to practice last night. She brought autographed player cards for each of the players and gave them out in the dressing room before practice. She leaves for Sochi this weekend and is excited but a little nervous, as is everyone becuase of the terrorist threats.

She ran a skills circuit the first 20 minutes that had three stations and then she joined in on the next two skill drills. We divided into 4 teams for a one zone game at each end. We had 15 skaters so she played for one of the teams to give us 4 groups of 4. On the 1-1 and 2-1 I had her talk with the defensemen about how to play these situations and then she joined them in the transition game. There was one point shot drill she helped the girl's with and then a point shot game that she participated in.

I changed the last part of practice to all games because she was supposed to only stay for one hour and our practice was 90 minutes. I could see she was loving to play in the games and she ended up staying the entire 90 min. and afterwards she offered to come out and help when the Olympics are over. I hope we win some play-off rounds and are still active when she gets back.

Overall a great guest coach.

Diagrams are in the PDF's which are attached.

Flyers Practice Plan Date: 22-01-14 Time: 20:15-21:45 Venue: Norma Bush

Notes:
14 skaters one goalie. Exam week.
Middle drive, passing, shots, competition




3 min. 7 min. Skate Big Moves then Edges

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.

mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20110726073836113

8 min.
D400 Two Pass 4 on 4 at the end with the goalie. Rule: you must make an escape move when you have the puck. Keep score.
D400 3 on 3 Keep-away at the other end. You must make an escape move and you get one point every time you make 5 consecutive passes.

10 min.
B202 Luhowy Puckhandling and Passing Circuit

Key Points:
Control the puck and “lock and load” when you carry the puck; meaning move it from in front to
your side. Keep a strong skating position with the knees bent and head up.

Description:
Line up behind the top of the circle with 2 or 3 players facing 2 or 3 players at the other end.
Have between 2 and 4 groups depending on the number of players. A group of 4 is the smallest.
1. First player in each line skate towards the other line and pass to the far line.
2. Exchange pucks and pass to opposite line

10 min.
T2 B6 3-0 Attack Options – Pro

Key Points:
Go hard to the net without the puck with the stick ready for rebounds or deflections. Stop at the net. Shoot low to the far pad to create rebounds. Attack with speed. Read whether the defense gives you the ice behind or in front of you.

Description:
1. Line up in three rows at the goal like and start with a puck from one side.
2. Pass to the middle then the far wing.

Option 1
Pass middle-wide-shoot from the wing.

Option 2
Pass middle-wide-cross inside and pass wide and enter wide then shoot from the wing.

Option 3
Read the defense has backed in. Gain the zone then cross and drop. Wide wing to the far post and middle player trail.

Option 4
Cross and drop in neutral zone and then pass to the wide wing. Middle drive and shoot.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2013092315445066

10 min.
B5 Regroup 3-0, Middle Drive-Pro

Key Points:
Defense move quickly and hinge the pass up the middle. Pass hard. Centre give the stick and skates as a flat target. Middle drive hard to the net.

Description:

1. All the players are inside the middle circle.
2. Red D1get a pass from a Red F2.
3. Red D hinge and pass D1 to D2.
4. D2 pass to F2 supporting in the middle.
5. F2 pass to F1 on the strong side.
6. F1 gain blueline and pass wide to F3.
7. F2 middle drive skating hard to the net.
8. F3 shoot and all crash the net for a rebound.
9. Blue repeat in the other direction.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2012100209041983



10 min.
D400 The Best Player Win Game

Key Points:
-Battle hard for the puck.
-Protect the puck.
-Get a shot and fight for the Rebound.

Description:
1. Players line up outside the blueline. They can be in 3 teams and keep score or just everyone vs
everyone.
2. Coach fires the puck in and whoever gets the puck tried to score vs the other two.
3. If another player gets the puck he tries to score; including rebounds.
4. On whistle pass back to the coach and race out.
5. 20-30 second shifts.

6 min. Individual Skill work.

.Key Points:
Divide the ice into stations and practice individual technique. The coach can focus on skills for various players.

Description:
1. Coach pass to defenseman who moves and shoots at the red strpe on the boards.
2.Player agility skate with turns and pivots then get a pass.
3. Saucer pass with a partner.
4. Play rebound with the goalie.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20090823205113460

10 min.
DT400 Game of Quick Transition

Key Points:
The resting players attack right away when they get a pass and the original attackers must communicate and cover one attacker each.

Description:
1. Offensive team attacks 3 on 3. It can be 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, 2-2 or 2-3 also if the coach wants to practice these situations. Upt to 5-5 is possible.
2. On transition to offense the defenders pass to their teammates waiting behind the blue line.
3. Attack right away (don’t have to wait for teammates to get onside in this game.)
4. Original attackers now defend and communicate with each other on how to stop the attack.
5. After a goal the defenders is allowed to pass to the new attackers.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20120416092419455




12 min. Start 2 on 2 then 3 on 3 and stress middle drive.
DT400 Support-Regroup-Hinge-Attack-Defend

Key Points:
New players give defenders support from the top of the circles as if they were wingers. If the puck is carried above there they can.

Description:
1. Red 1-2 attack Blue 1-2.
2. Blue 1-2 defend.
3. Pass to Blue 3-4 after a turnover or goal.
4. Blue 3-4 breakout the other direction.
5. Red 1-2 follow the play as defenders
6. Blue 3-4 regroup with Red 3-4.
7. Red 3-4 hinge at least once.
8. Red 3-4 pass to Blue 3-4.
9. Blue 3-4 attack vs Red 1-2.
10. Red 3-4 follow attack to support Red 1-2.
11. Blue 5-6 move to nzone ready to regroup with Red 3-4.

Continue this rotation of support-regroup-hinge-attack-defend.

10 min.
E1 Speed Scoring 2-1 to 2-2 – Finland

Key Points:
The purpose is to attack as quickly as possible and pass and shoot while skating.

Description:
1. Start from one end and when everyone is gone go the other way.
2. Attackers 1 and 2 leave from above the hash marks.
3. Defender 1 is inside the top of the circle with his stick upside down start forward and turn to back skating.
4. Defender 2 start from below the circle and back check.
5. Attacker 1 and 2 race down the ice to score and only ONE PASS is allowed.
6. Keep score.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20121119180045227

Flyers
Practice Plan Date: 10-01-14 Time: 16:00-17:15 Venue: Max Bell 2
Lines:
Passing flat, skating with the puck and loose Shoulders.Good habits. 1-1, escape moves


10 min.
B6 or B4 Crossover Skating and Puckhandling

Key Points:
This is a great skating and puck handling warm up drill. Many variations can be used with the puck or in skating tasks.
Do a different skill in each zone. Keep the feet moving it is crossover in large #8's and not tight turns. You can also do as a B6 and start out of opposite corners.

Description:
Cross Overs and Puck Handling Skills
Do figure 8's in each zone.
1. Quick hands and quick feet fwd
2. Skate backwards
3. Face the far end transition skate
4. Carry puck using only the forehand
5. Use only the backhand.
6. Crosby turns.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/video.php?n=20120418155124444

8 min.
B3 Partner Passing

Key Points:
Partner pass starting standing and then skating back and forth. Wrist passes, snap passes, saucer. Go from forehand to backhand and backhand to forehand. Add tight turns. Players could also pass two pucks at once.

Description:
Players face each other in two lines skating cross ice.
Focus on flat passes with the puck rotating toward the toe. Take pass with stick blade straight on ice.

http://hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20080720235041115

7 min.
B6 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 Small Horseshoe

Key Points:
This is a great timing drill with good flow for early in the practice. Pass hard and get your
top hand away from your body. Call for the pass. Give your stick and skates as a target.

Description:
1. Skate to the top of the circle and pass.
2. Continue and get a pass from the other end.
3. 2-0 first player passes and swings wide and second player skates into the middle lane. Pass to the player in the middle.
4. Player in the middle one touch the puck up to the wide man. Stay onside.
5. Shoot and go for the rebound.
6. On the 3-0 the third player goes up the boards and enters as the high man. Add a trailer pass to the high man as the first shot.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?s=20120301081936833

15 min.
D4 Two games at once 5 min each

1. 3 hard strides before you can pass or shoot.
2. 3 passes and must face the play when passing.
3. Escape move before passing.

10 min.
T2 D4 Power Play Practice

Whites at one end and greens at the other. Go through the power play options with extra players giving passive resistance.

15 min.
DT400 Transition Game of 1 on 1 - Yursi-Juuso IIHF Symposium

First play 1-1 and then play 1-1 with a dump in so the D practices escape moves to make the pass.

Key Points:
Defender must maintain a tight gap and stay of the defensive side. Attacker use moves to beat the defender, fight for rebounds and loose pucks. On the dump-ins the defender must read where the checker is coming from and the attacker create good checking angles.

Description:
1.Divide the team into two colours and opposite forwards and defense play against each other at both ends.
2. F1 attack vs. D1 after skating through the middle circle. 3. Fight for rebounds and loose pucks. 4. On transition pass to F2 at the top of the circle. 5.F2 skate through the middle circle and attack vs. D2. 6. Add a regroup with the forward circling back. 7. Add a neutral zone dump-in and the D and F fight for the loose puck.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20131203153607732

10 min.
E1 Change on the Go with Pass 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:
1. Players are in the box and one puck on each blue line for every player.
2. Player from each team leaves the box and tries to score.
3. If they score they race to the box and touch the boards and then the next player can leave.
4. If they don't score they pass to the next player who comes out of the box.
5. Losing team do something for every goal they lose by.
*To make it realistic the goalie should practice starting from the goal line and coming out.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20120415181657595

Update on the season so far.
After getting almost a whole new team with many first year players and some who have played A which is a level below AAA we had a slow start. 2-6-2 our first ten games. In our last 14 we are 6-4-4 but struggle to score goals. We are last in an eleven team league in GF averaging 1.8 per game. We are 3rd best in GA behind the leaders in each division. Two of the teams in the league have more goals from their top two scorers than our entire team. So it leaves no room for weak goals against. We have played 3 games in the 2014 winning 2-1, 3-1 (en goal) and tying 1-1.

Our young players have a big upside but the league is 96-97-98 and last year they played vs. 98-99 and the size, speed and skill of the 96 born players is a huge difference than playing vs. 99 born players. In the boy's AAA the 98 born have their own league for that reason.

We play the top team in our division today and they have twice as many GF as we do but so far we are 2W and 1L against them. (thank goodness for good goalies)

So the challenge for a coach is to take the talent you get and identify what needs to improve and then work on improving a little every day.