Hi all!
Had to bring this up. This is great topic with some great posts from Tom, Dean and other coaches.
Here is a good video from Mark Upton on the issues discussed here in this topic.
it really makes you think why would you use any 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 etc. drills any more? of course there's still some use for the drills, e.g. skating technique.
I try to add some kind of decision making or pressure to those drill, e.g. 2-0 passing drill where passing isn't pre-determined.
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Kai great to hear from you. I really miss the discussions we used to have on this board.
This was a terrific discussion and I invite any coach to jump in.
Some coaches believe that it works best to play the game FIRST to create a NEED to KNOW and then do corrective exercises (drills) for technique, followed by the game again. i.e. Introduce backhand passing and play a game where there must be at least 3 backhand passes before you can score. Let the players struggle with the skill and tell them they will play the game again after you give them some ideas about 'how to make a good backhand pass'. The coach then gives some instruction and an exercise to practice and then go back to the game.
To make drills more game-like put a time limit on them; i.e. 3-0 with 10" to score and keep track of which group scores the most or the quickest.
Same with situation drills. Create a contest between the offensive players and defenders. How many goals scored in a certain time. Another idea is to create variable situation drills. Instead of doing a sequence of 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2 send players out randomly and get the same situations but the players have to read them. i.e. Send 1 to 3 forwards and 1 or 2 defenders.
Transition games are seldom used in Calgary but are the logical progression from drills. They are game-like because only one puck is used and the new defenders and attacker join either actively or passively to support. Again you can vary how many new players support, which creates a different situation each time and you can have the original F or D or both join the next rush.
Even a game like keep-away can have special rules and scores can be kept. i.e. 3-3 keep-away and only forehand passes are allowed and the team gets 1 point for every time they can make 5 consecutive passes.
SAG tournaments can replace practice drills. Have modified rules for each game. i.e. Game one – all must touch the puck. Game two – only two seconds with the puck. Game three – you must make an escape move before a pass or shot and goals only count on one touch shots. Game four – only one pass is allowed then you have to score on your own. Create a round robin tournament and keep track on your coaching board. Give rewards/punishment after.
Your role as a coach changes a lot with this method. All the players are moving, so you are not the traffic cop running drills but instead you enforce the rules and during drills and transition you talk to the players when they return to the line-up and have a short debriefing between games in the tournaments.
Three years ago I filmed a U18 girl's drill based practice. I kept the camera on one player for 45' who has a green helmet, white socks and shoots right. It is a drills based practice. When you do this you realized how inefficient drills practices are. How much do they move. How much will transfer to the game, is it any fun? https://www.dropbox.com/s/l57zoytlfepx2zp/T%20-%20Inefficient%20use%20of%20the%20Ice%20Example.3gp?dl=0 Most studies have players actually doing something for between 7-12' and standing around 48-53'.
And we wonder why kid's quit playing.
Tom
Coaches – what are your thoughts. I would recommend you take a look at the previous postings in this thread.
Kai