Reply To: Game Intelligence / Decision Training

[hockeygod]

I watched parts of two local minor hockey practices last night and the obvious need for ongoing coach education, mentorship and support couldn't be more obvious.

Practice 1 was was a Minor Midget (15) AAA team. They had full ice, 14 skaters and 1 goalie.

They did not have a shooter tutor or modify their practice for one goalie. It looked like they ran their normal 'drills' practice and just had the kids shoot into an empty net. I was astounded at how many missed the net, under situations without pressure. To get rid of this, add pressure and accountability!

The team scrimmaged 5 v 5 full ice for 15 minutes at the end. This is great from a fun perspective; they even tried to stay onside and not ice the puck. But no 'rules' were put into place (scoring play must originate on the backhand / from behind the net / 2 seconds to pass / etc.) and no score was kept so no accountability. Some kids took runs at their teammates and didn't play 'within the rules' – bad habits to practice and the coaches didn't intervene – they joined in! With 5 minutes left, even more kids started screwing around and sticking each other; knocking each other down away from the play. Then all the kids jumped out to play and offsides weren't even honoured. A couple knocked the goalie down and others started play fights. No score was kept and no accountability. Not the type of preparation conducive to competing in a game…!

Practice 2 had the Bantam AAA's with 18 skaters and 2 goalies (full ice).

While it seemed to be an organized practice, I was amazed to see the coaches instructing the kids to hit each other (illegally) in front of the net during a battle drill – first without sticks and then with sticks. I am talking punching, pushing, holding, cross checking and slashing! In a game, these would all result in penalties being called. This 'drill' went on for 9 minutes at both ends! Wow! What were they teaching? Trying to 'toughen up' the shooter in the slot?

There were about 10 dads sitting in the stands watching. I wonder what they thought? (Most seemed to just be talking and not really worrying about what they see. If they don't see anything wrong, this just shows how far we have to come to educate our parents, too!)

Why aren't we teaching life values (respect for one) through sport? (I suspect this team will be taking some needless penalties this season). Of course, there was no score kept or winners or losers declared for any of the drills; no accountability – but I see this is to be expected for 99.99% of practices today.

So what did I see overall?

The coaches of both of these teams 'filled' their practice time with 'drills' – some of which were illegal so therefore why do them? – and none of them seemed to keep objective measures or reinforced accountability – so also, why do them?

The goal of practice should be to prepare for the game. Both of these practices encouraged a disregard for the rules and actually de-trained the kids. There must be a relationship between the performance in a game to what is done at practice… like a symbiotic feedback loop.

Nothing like that here. Just time-fillers. No life skills taught. Actually, 'anti-life skills' taught.

If someone came to watch your practice, what would they see?

Coaches, I challenge you to clearly define your values and philosophy and apply these to your actions. I challenge you to examine your practices with a critical eye. Perhaps have someone record them so you can see them from a third person view. How can you make them better?

Would you want YOUR kids trained using 'fillers' and 'anti-life skills?

I wouldn't.

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