Reply To: Diary of a Season 2024-25

[Tom Molloy]

Fire Black Practice Plan -12-05-24

Time: 16:15-17:40 Arena: Crowchild
Notes: skating, passing, shooting, point shots, shot blocking, scissors, tight gaps, transition
A300 Puckhandle and Cutbacks – Partners
B2 – Shot-Pass-Shot x 3 x 2 x 2 – Pro – Slapshots
B600 – Multiple One Touch Passes – Pro
B6 – 2 Pass-Double Zig-Shot x 3 x 2 – U15 G
C6 Regroup x 2, 1-1 and 2-1 – Pro
D100 – Full Ice Game of 3-3
D4 Clear Zone to Attack – Scissors
DT100 Continuous 2-1 to 3-3 and 2-2 to 4-4 -Tag-up
Team cheer

Skills practice with lots of touches. On drills they have done before players start the next rep on their own with no coaches whistle. That requires they stay engaged. Long road trip to Grande Prairie then Sherwood Park this weekend.

Two games on the weekend. We travelled to Grande Prairie where we had to stay an extra night because the highway was closed because of ice. Bussed 5 hrs to Sherwood Park the next day.
Shots per period vs GP were 9-11 – 9-6 – 11-5 Game 29-22. we made just over 100 passes. First period they came out hard and both teams scored twice. Second we started taking over and won 2-1. Third we controlled the play and scored twice. Three of our goals were on the power play. We started controlling the slot at both ends. We made 100whick is lower than average for us. Outscored our mistakes giving up 4 GA which is not a recipe for success in most games BUT each game has it's own story.

Game two in Sherwood Park. Shots by period 10-5 – 11-1 – – 14-6 – Game 35-12. They are one of the weaker teams in the league. We protected our slot really well. I can't recall ever giving up only 1 shot in a period. In first we had too much individual play and scored 2. We really improved our D_D and up and creating chances on the rush and below the goal line. We scored two more. Third we were strong again scoring three. We got two PP gaols for 5 on which weekend which is great. On onw of the pp goals all 5 attackers touched the puck and then made a cross ice pass to the slot and we scored. We made 133 passes, a season high.

If we move the puck like this we will be like the 2018 Provincial Champs Emily played on. Carla McLeod the U of C c HC who now coaches Ottawa was watching to recruit and said to me after the game. 'Your team passes better than the national team.' I'm sure it was an exaggeration but we are practicing to reach the level where players move with the puck and pass to players in a better position n the ice than them.

That is how the game is played at the levels our players aspire to. I met with each player on the trip and every one of them said their goal is to play at the top level.

The best thing we do is defend. We had an F3 all weekend and this allowed the D to play tight gaps and pinch on wide rims. Back pressure was great and after the first period vs. GP we didn't give up much from the slot.
getting better is a process that takes 'Deep Practice" meaning every time you focus on playing with good habits, not just do the drill I recommend all players and parents read 'The Talent Code' by Daniel Coyle and he explains how the brain works to acquire skills and game understanding and gives great examples from places that develop elite athletes.

Cassie attended such a place in PEI where Allan Andrews had a program that developed players from a young age and many are now among the best in the world. i.e. Canada's team in Four Nations Cup. Crosby, McKinnon, Marchand. Cassie did pretty good as well.

Allan was a member of our 'No Dead Sharks' coaching group that meets online once a month until his passing a few months ago. It includes coaches from around the world. Wally organizes it.
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Fire Black Practice 12-10-24

Time: 18:00-19:15 Arena: Village Square
Lines: 12 F – 8 D – 2 G
: Kaylin goalies 20’
A200 Russian Olympic Coach Teaches Puck Handling
B600 – Continuous 3-2 Regroup – Tomas
B6 – Machine Gun – 2 Passes x 2 Timing and Shots
D1 One Pass in Each Zone
DT100 Continuous 2-1, 2-2 – Pro
T2 – Power Play Walk Through at Each End
T2-4, D4 – Reilly Team Play Rotation
Team cheer in middle

Attachments

• Fire Black Practice 12-05-24.pdf (527 KB)
• Fire Black Practice 12-10-24.pdf (406 KB)

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