Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

We did 1.25 hours on ice tonight with about 40 coaches from a local MHA. We ran some fun warmup games (using three zones of the ice) and rotated the coaches every 4 minutes. Then we did some general skating exercises usning the full length of the rink for 10 minutes, then broke them into 5 groups into different small areas of the ice. I lead 2 groups at one end below the blue line (skating & puck control) while another instructor did some creative skill moves in the NZ. Barb Marsh, from Hockey Alberta, led the other two groups in the far end in some passing skills.

Following the on ice, we did another 1.5 hours in a local gym (they rented it for $7 per hour!!!! Coaches, look into your local school gyms for extra training!) We did some more dynamic warmup moves, some eye / hand coordination games in partners (using tennis balls), then broke the guys into 2 groups. One group went with Barb and played some modified games; I led my group through some floorball techniques ans skills. We worked on toe drags, 360 degree stick handling, various grip technique, deking and some nervous system overload ('goofy handed' – if you are a right shot, get a left stick and practice skills the 'goofy' way before reverting back to your dominant hand.) We finished with 1-handed work (top hand only / bottom hand only / forehand only figure 8's / backhand only figure 8's)… primarily introducing skill stuff using different modalities (dryland / floorball sticks and tennis balls… other balls recommended too.)

For someone who leans heavily towards the 'game' side and letting the game be the best teacher, I felt this 'skills' session went very well. The skills are especially critical for the U6 kids. We helped equip the local coaches with lots of ideas to carry forward to their teams and players… hoping to allow the kids to get better and have more FUN!

The coaches really worked hard tonight. I was impressed by the overall ability of the group and their desire to learn. They did an outstanding job. The sweat was dripping off them after the ice session and the dryland… I bet there will be many 'feeling it' over the next couple of days… "Men, that pain you are feeling is DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness)!" Several of them reported that all the pushups they had to do as punishment on Monday (meted out by "the Colombian" for various indiscretions… and losing some Smart Transitional Games!) certainly made their pecs sore!

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