Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

RWF,

Invasion Sports have many similarities (hockey, soccer, basketball, football, rugby, Aussie Rules, waterpolo, lacrosse, etc.) Consider the four O and four D principles of play and the four playing roles – there are similarities between these sports. The more someone plays these sports, the more experience they get facing and resolving similar challenges. Certain sports have some differences according to the rules / modalities / culture, but there is a lot of overlap! The experience gained in one sport will transfer to other invasion sports.

John the Colombian's son's (Junior and Jordan) were both excellent soccer and hockey players. Perhaps their greatest assests in hockey were their overall athleticism and ability to see the game. Playing multiple sports until 13 / 14 helped their overall development so that when they started to specialize, they were even better than if they would have specialized too early. (Hockey and soccer are considered 'late specialization sports'… see http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/ ) This is the best real-life argument against spring hockey / year-round hockey that I have ever seen (I have known John and his kids for almost 10 years now and have watched them grow up. Both of his kids became all-star soccer players. Junior was the CIS player of the year, won National Championships, represented Canada internationally and played pro in Germany. Not bad for a Canadian kid in the World sport of soccer!. Jordan was a late cut from the National Team, so he took a different path and is now a personal trainer. I will follow a very similar model with my own kids – ages 20 months and 3.75 years – they really want to play sports as they see my wife and I training and playing and coaching.)

John himself emigrated to Montreal from Colombia at the age of 16. He told me that even though he had never even seen hockey, he was watching it with a deep understanding based on his significant soccer and futsol experience from home.

When he started to skate that first year (we calculated it – all John did was skate and take pert-time school. I think we estimated he put in close to 48000 hours of skating that first year. He would often go and skate for 12-14 hours per day; only taking breaks to eat and attend the odd class.) John made a Midget AA team his second year in Canada (they didn't have AAA) because the head coach placed a premium on skating. Once John made the team, he went to the coach and said, "I can't handle a puck and I have a terrible shot." So the coach made him into a checker and told John to learn how to stickhandle and shoot. He took it to heart and dedicated himself to improving his all-around game. Because John had played soccer at a high level for many years (including pro back in Colombia), and since there are many similarities between soccer and hockey, John knew what to do – he just couldn't do it! He had great anticipation and 'hockey sense / game sense'. He said it was frustrating but after a few more years of training (he spent less time training as he was working after that second year), he become fairly proficient.

You should see him today! John plays very much a 'heads up game' and is incredibly sneaky!

I would take a kid with anticipation / game sense, passion and work ethic over a talented (skilled) but lazy player anytime. I would rather work with one of these 'projects' because I know my coaching methodology will allow them to improve while enjoying the game.

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