Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[RookieCoach]

First off , I have been off the bench for about 7 years or so, but still running different team practice's.

I always used a couple of Sport Quotations with my teams:

"Success is NOT a sometimes thing , In other words, you don't do what's right once and a while , but all the time. Success is a habit. Winning is a habit ". – Vince Lombardi

" Winning isn't everything, but making the all-out effort to win is the most important thing." – Vince Lombardi

Coaches must be prepared for every practice. I prepare like it's a job.( that I would get paid for)
-Respect players and they will respect you as a coach. If you show them you are prepared and committed to teaching them , they will strive to please you , their coach.
– Put yourself in a young players position when you coach. They want to have fun , and they will want to practice.
– I am NOT a fan of "bag" skating players. But my teams don't stop skating from the time they hit the ice. I will give a few warning of the lack of intensity , and they usually know what will come if the don't focus and pick it up.
– Every practice has a different look. I constantly change drills and games. If you keep using the same practice , they will just go through the motions. It takes the thinking out of the practice.
– I have always used different types of 1on1's. I feel they have natural battles , creates competition , and players can't HIDE from 1on1's.
– Team must practice with the intensity that you want in a game situation.
– Players feed off of each other and also their coach. If they all buy into your Philosophy , you can be successful.
– Set forth a team structure of how you want to play as a team and coaching staff.
– All players must come to a game with a goal in mind. Something that they need to work on or show weakness in a game and practice. If they think about , focus, visualize and strive to improve in these areas. ( ex- keep my feet moving. don't stand still)
– They must understand that's ok to lose , if they work their hardest I would be proud of them as a coach.
– All practice situation have a puck involved , drill or games.
– I would say ' that I'm a hybrid type of coach now with drills and games. Games are making more sense , every play has a new outcome and you touch on more player roles.
– I use accountability in my practices. Players love to compete with each other.
– I am the silent type of coach that lets the players dictate the flow. After a while a player can tell by a coaches body language , and they can sense when a coach isn't happy how things are playing out.

More later. Gotta run to watch a game.

RK