Reply To: Body Checking in Youth Hockey

[hockeygod]

Dave,

Glad I could provide a laugh or two. And that was only written after one beer! I like Tom's idea too. Still waiting to hear form Donny. Not sure if he is reffing into the Cup playoffs or not. His truck was here today and I didn't see him on the lines tonight. I will post more about that discussion if / when it happens.

Checking Manuals:

A new guy at Hockey Canada asked me to write these last year; not knowing Hockey Alberta had already written them several years ago! Wow! I put him in touch with Hockey Alberta so as not to reinvent the wheel. I knew Bjorn had been previously contracted to finalize the Hockey Alberta checking manual and he consolidated what had been already done by a writers group primarily consisting of Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada contributors (Larry Hoffmann being one name I know.) Then he (or Hockey Canada?) took that material and changed a few words / graphics and sold it to USA Hockey. Not sure where else?

The IIHF coaching manuals available online are almost identical to Canada's manuals – again with different graphics and a few different words. Hockey Canada provided them to the IIHF. I heard they have since been further translated and duplicated for other countries to use.

The Australia Institute of Sport (AIS) 'borrowed' much from Canada's 'old' National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for their coach certification purposes. Not sure if money was involved but I know many Commonwealth countries 'cross-pollinate' different things…

Finally, Dr. Stephen Norris (a friend of mine – originally from the UK but a Canadian citizen now – lives about 20 minutes west of me… he taught me at the National Coach Institute in the early 1990's… we have shared an 'occasional' adult beverage or two and I helped mentor his son's pee wee team this year) Steve helped Canadian Sport for Life finish their LTAD, as well as some sport specific models, and he was subsequently hired by USA Hockey to help with what was / is branded the ADM. Again, much of that material is very similar to what we have here. So from a Brit, to the Canucks, to the Yanks.

In all of these situations, a transfer of knowledge across borders. Some 'sharing', some for profit, no doubt some blatant skulduggery… but at the end of the day, it is nice to see different nationalities coming together to help make better coaches. Much like this site.

In the end, it's all about the "HOW" you apply it. That's where the magic lies!

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."