Reply To: Coaching philosophy

[Tom Molloy]

Tom,

I just finished off the book yesterday. I was at a point where I was spending so much time going through drills and understanding the book that I needed some time away from hockey. Sounds weird eh !

The book was great. I will be going back over the book again , mainly the first half just to get a better understanding on the roles and the phases of reading the game. Just want a better understanding on the ABC's part.

I understood most of the section on playing principals (Team Play). But your book gives a different look and a different understanding in this area. This is a book that a coach can refer back too , when he comes across a game situation he doesn't understand or needs to learn how to counter against the opposing team.
A coach can learn a number of options for his team structures such as , power play and PK.

You talked about when in trouble get the puck up off the glass and out in the defensive zone.
I had the privilege of watching many London Knights (OHL) games a few few years ago when they had players like , Perry,Bolland Schemp, Wideman, etc. What a team to watch. This team did exactly what I mentioned above. I think their game plan was simple up off the glass and out when pressured and battle with speed in the Neutral Zone. Easier battling in the NZ than your own DZ.

In your book you also went over the five most common power plays.
This London team mastered the overload. They played with Perry , Shremp ,Hunter up forward and Bolland and Wideman on D, (four forwards and one D-man)
They played with Perry at the half boards and the other two forwards on or below the goal line one behind the net. when the pass went low corner , Perry would penetrate the middle looking for a return pass. The look was too Perry but the pass was across the crease to the forward who stepped out from behind the net for the one timer. They scored it seemed like once a game with this play. A team would adjust and they would throw something different at you. You couldn't stop them .

One major difference with your book is you have the Modules at the end for all the levels from beginner to at advanced levels. It also contains practice cards for the different levels. You get the theory part in this book but are also given drills to follow up with.

Understanding the Coaching ABC's method will take time and some patience for coaches. Things are set up differently than most (not all) coaches are used too. But when you put it all together I think it would be a valuable guide for many coaches.

I am used to coaching or instructing and was taught a different way. But I'm open to learning new ways of teaching the game of hockey to young players. Keeping an open mind as a coach and adding new things big or small can only help you get better.

I am looking forward to trying out a good number or the DT drills or games. One puck drills or games that teach the game. .

Rookie Coach

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'