Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

campi wrote:
Eric

I coach in the US and I've been making this claim for years.

Our players have all this specialized training available to them; skating, shooting, defensive clinics, etc which are prepared by former pros, etc. In my area alone from the time I played in the 80's until now there are twice the amount of rinks.

I do agree I have seen our players become better skilled players, but what is eerie is they are not better hockey players. The team game is not there. I watched teams when I played that I believe would do better, while not having the skill level that the present players have.

I believe the reasons are that the coaching is the weakest link, we do not have the sharing or capabilities that I see given to our players. In my area there is a lot of ego between coaches where sharing does not come easy. I have forever been trying to gather the group of coaches with the organizations I have been to organize coaches training sessions each month during the season but I find it is very difficult.

My question is where are the resources which are available. I am constantly searching, asking and prodding to find different ways to education and mentor my players and assistant coaches.

I use so much of my experiences as a player in my everyday coaching, which has been a good resource but the overall sense is that as a group, we are loosing ground with the players.

Campi

Campi, I was on holidays when this was posted so I missed it…

My responses:

1) Players are better skilled but lack the understanding of the game. In my opinion, it is because the coaches don't understand the game… so how can we expect the blind to lead the blind? This is a philosophical statement, but please bear with me…

The game is an entity all to itself. We can't begin to understand the infinite permutations and combinations within the game. As coaches, we see it from our perspective (which has been shaped by our backgrounds, experience, education, etc.) and usually we see it from the bench… not on the ice from the point of view of each of our players. We also get the benefit of video (at higher levels) so we can go over it later and be masters of hindsight.

We try to break the game into little parts so our little minds can try to make sense of it. We traditionally do this through the use of 'drills' to try to capture discrete elements of the game, so we can perform repetitive actions that we think will help us perform when it comes time to play again. 99.99% of the coaches use boring drills with too much talking / management time and far too little active time that miss the intent entirely – drills that come nowhere near to replicating the game experience – and then they don't hold their players accountable. This approach fails miserably, but we repeat this formula for insanity… expecting different results. We as coaches are doing it all wrong… well, at least the 99.99% are.

If you have read Tom's book and are using games / pressure / accountability as much of possible, then welcome to the .01 coaching club my friend! Or at least I hope you are taking steps towards this Game Intelligence Training methodology – like Dave M. Soon, the game will reveal itself to be the best teacher of the game… you just need to take the leap of faith.

2) Unfortunately, the governing bodies still cling to these drill books and this 'insanity methodology' like demented minstrels waving their bibles (TOM: How did you like my one-liner I cleverly inserted into this rant?) and they continue to perpetuate the old school coaching. I also don't believe we support our coaches AFTER they gain their requisite certification… but it grows late and that is another cross to bear at a later time.

I have seen coaches with big egos here in Canada too. If they don't want to share, that's their problem. Seek out other coaches who are like-minded; they are out there. Identify some higher profile coaches in your local area; try to attend their practices, make yourself seen / try to introduce yourself and develop a relationship with them. Ask them for help; what would they do in xyz situation? Stay persistent. Eventually, you will find a mentor or two.

Often times, I think some coaches don't share because (a) the fear they might lose their job if they give away their secrets… it is a results-based business and they don't want to leak any info if it could come back to bite them! (b) lots of coaches aren't actually any smarter than you and don't want to reveal that they aren't as smart as some make them out to be… their sense of ego is too big! (c) lots of coaches think it is a sign of weakness to ask for help – they would rather suffer in silence that ask for help, or share.

3) The IIHF offers coaching clinics in conjunction with the World Championships every year. A nice excuse to travel, enjoy some hockey, some culture (beer!), meet some colleagues, make new friendships and learn what others are doing. I find these clinics WAY better than the certification clinics you have to attend. You learn a ton over beers with people attending the conference, away from the confines of the lecture hall, too. But it is up to you to seek out these opportunities (not always possible due to cost / time away.)

There might be some grains of knowledge in local MHA clinics / regional / national Hockey USA clinics… but I can't comment as I have never attended these. (I live in The Great White North, eh?)

Continue to be a lifelong learner and ask lots of questions. Hope this helps…

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