Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

Tom,

The Euros do it right! I would love to be a part of an organization, like Red Bull, that understands the correct blend of the art and science of coaching!

After speaking with the Slovaks about their training schedule vs. that which is predominant in North American junior hockey culture, and doing some introspection, it is obvious that we have a long way to go to improve to their level.

I agree that we in Canada and the US are 'getting away with quantity over quality' – based on our respective hockey enrollment numbers – when compared to Europe.

It would be nice to see North American sport schools, where they might have a little more input into steering the curriculum and schedule, shift to a more European-based training style and schedule. I would include the Edge school in that comment.

After seeing the Finns play yesterday (I can hardly wait for the game today!), I want to go to Finland to learn more about their way of training. I want to see it with my own eyes! Tom, if there is a chance to meet your Finnish friends while coaching the World Juniors, I would love to have that opportunity!

Kai – same goes for you. I would love to hear more about your philosophy of coaching / training and how things are done in Finland. Do you know any of the kids or coaches with this World Sport School Championship? I would love to watch them train… their off-ice warmup yesterday was outstanding. Not the typical mindless crap we do over here… lots of nervous system warmup, ABC's, reaction games, etc. I might try to record it today…

Maybe if I can get over to the TGfU conference north of London (UK) the second week in July, I can make a detour to Finland. Don't think I can attend the IIHF conference this year in Sweden / Finland… it is always poor timing for me as we are comitted to visiting relatives in Spokane. Not that I wouldn't want to go as I would always learn a few things, but I really don't want to sort through a ton of the 'usual hockey drivel from the tired old establishment' for only a few nuggets of gold… I don't give two sh1ts about the PP or PK systems or blah blah blah… I have enough binders and 'drills' of all that 'old crap'… I want to learn "more important things" (at least in my mind) about teaching methodologies, interpersonal communication (be the "ignitor of athletes") and the art / science of coaching. I don't need any more X's or O's to be successful. Keep the game simple and fun, relax, teach life lessons – be the best coach I can be and focus on the things that matter (the people in the game!)

Rant over….!

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."