Reply To: Czech Hockey Camp

[Kai K]

TomM wrote:
Pops, I think it is essential at the beginning to find out which players can play and who can't play. There are some essentials you have to find out about right away if you are going to select the right players for your team.
My priorities are these.

1. Skating- can the player skate adequately to compete at the level you are coaching. If they can't keep up it doesn't really matter what else they can do.
2. How hard do they compete. If they are the best skater or puck handler but don't battle then they won't be effective.
3. Game sense. If they can skate and battle but don't see the ice they will be ineffective.
4. Skills. These are important and must be adequate. If you coach well and they work on the skills they will get better. Skills without the above 3 don't count for much.

So when I select a team I create game situations that will highlight these attributes in players.
a. Games where they battle for loose pucks will show the skating and competition levels.
b. Small area and full ice games will demonstrate the skill and the game sense.

I am going to try and put together a basic outline for a yearly plan in the next day or two.

For number one and two I 've used 2v2 continious full ice transition drill

for 1, 2, and 3 I have the 2v2 transition attack – defend – leave, where if you enter the drill as an attacking player you attack then you defend or/and backcheck and finally help with break out under your own blue line. then leave. If you enter as an defensive player you frist defend -> break out, attack.and -> forecheck until the puck is off the offensive blue line-> leave. you have to play in all 4 roles and read and react.

For SAG i used 2v2/3v3 with jokers, and just basic 2v2 and 3v3 game. and allso 2v2/3v3 games where you can score on both goals

Kai

Kai