Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

TomM wrote:
Dean, did you see anything worth noting at the on ice session. Maybe they will surprise you and have something besides some drills and full ice scrimmage.

I stopped at COP on my way home from British Columbia and met my assistant coach Sean there to give him some of the cherries I picked. I thought of going and watching but I had just driven 9 hours and the parking lot was packed. I will go tomorrow morning to take a look.

Tom,

The day we were both there was the best day. The other days it was all mindless drills. Yesterday it got so bad that John left and the kids were so bored (the coaches talked at the board incessantly, eating up several minutes at a time while the drills only went for a couple of minutes), that I left after 30 minutes too.

The kids and I went to the rink beside it and watched figure skating for 45 minutes. Much more entertaining. Interesting to observe another sport (individual / artistic / early specialization.) Six coaches standing around the perimeter of the ice and 13 athletes. One coach was filming with his iPad and showing one of his athlete her attempts to complete a difficult jump. She kept trying the entire session and wasn't able to land one properly – she fell countless times, but kept trying. Another coach used a harness to help a young skater learn a jump. All coaches were able to provide demos to their athletes and they were all paying attention the whole time – no 'spectator coaches'. (I wish I could have heard what they were saying to determine 'how' they taught. Were they inspiring? Were they creating hope? Were they using guiding discovery?) There was lots of trying (internal motivation, passion?) on behalf of the athletes, self-discovery, and activity. Made me appreciate Daniel Coyle's Talent Code writings even more.

We can read or postulate theories all we want but at the end of the day, it is about experimentation – what works (and doesn't work) for us and others. The world is one big experiment and we are all part of it! The more I coach, teach, read, research and observe others, the closer I get to capturing "The Grail" of Best Practices Coaching. (I think I am really close now but the 100% end always keeps moving just out of reach – which is good because it keeps driving me to chase it!)

I didn't go for any of the scrimmages but John did. Today he said the morning session today was a controlled scrimmage. No refs, no score clock or scoreboard but they took turns playing even strength, PP and PK. John was quite disappointed that it wasn't more of a 'real' game with all of the above mentioned features in place and I concur. Why not cap the week with a big tourney / event – build up to it all week? (This will be part of my diatribe on how I would run this thing if I was in charge…!)

I need to go back to read your comments from some of my postings… I will do my best to respond when I get more time (if!!!) I am running 'daddy daycare' this summer while I deal with my concussion from the car accident and dealing with kids scared of thunder at night has me running around at all hours of the day! But some great discussion items posted here by you and some of the other coaches. They really get me thinking. When I get time, I will keep posting (patience please!!!!)

I hope everyone will keep contributing over the summer. It is a great part of my day to get on here and read new posts. It helps keep my brain engaged and makes me a better coach!

Thanks to all who are contributing!

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