Reply To: Diary of a Season 2013-14

[Tom Molloy]

Flyers Outdoor Practice 24-10-13

I cancelled the Friday on-ice practice and replaced it with an off-ice session at an outdoor rink with boards and a cement pad. 1/3 of my team was going to a Brad Paisley concert and both goalies would have missed.

We started with stick handling. I had tennis, wiffle, baseball, rubber, racquet, etc. balls. The players moved around the middle zone handling the balls and then exchanged them so they had to manipulate a different weight and size. We then passed to each other by exchanging the various balls while moving.

I set up three nets, 2 across from each other and one at the red line. Each net had a team of 5 players. We used a baseball sized wiffle ball with a plastic bag stuffed inside. This causes the ball not to bounce and gives it a little more weight. It is a great ball to use on cement or pavement as it slides better than other balls and you can handle it without is sticking to the surface. The players defend their own net and can score on the other two. One player stayed in goal. We played a game to 5.

Next we played 8 on 8 on two nets across from each other. The idea was to create less time by having everyone play at once.

The last game was 4 on 4 on two nets across from each other and the other 4 players were jokers spread around the edges of the playing area. Jokers can shoot or pass but not run onto the court.

We finished with some relay races where they had to pass a hockey glove to the next line. The groups were across from each other across the neutral zone lined up behind the blue line. We did forward, striding sideways and piggy back relays.

Zero games on the weekend and I used the time to drive 9 hours to my sisters near Penticton and drop off my camper. The drive back was good until the last 2 hours when we drove into a snow storm. Beautiful drive through the mountains.

O – A100 Ball Handling – Outdoor

Play a cross court game of 4-4 with jokers behind each net and on the sides. Jokers can only pass or shoot. Rotate each minute.

https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/o-a100-ball-handling-outdoor/

O – DT200 4-4 Jokers on Sides – Outdoor

Handle various types and sizes of balls. Weave in and out through players. Exchange ball.

https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/o-dt200-4-4-jokers-on-sides-outdoor/

O D500 3 Net Game

Each team defends one net and can score on the other two nets. When a goal is scored the other teams must back off and allow the defending team to start an attack. Keep score.

https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/videos/watch/o-d500-3-net-game/

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