Reply To: games to encourage getting to the puck

[hockeygod]

rcmat wrote:
1. Have players line up at blue line.
2. Shoot puck in and let them play 1 v 1 or 1 v 1 v 1 cross-ice.
3. You can get several 1 v 1 battles going at the same time, so there is less standing around.

These suggestions are good. Remember you need to make sure these situations are realistic (gamelike = someone on offense, someone on defence, define the space / 'rules', accountability: keep score with the losers receiving a punishment – this also increases focus / intensity / competition.)

Ask the kids, "What makes you successful on Offence? On Defence?" Let them FIO and tell you and the rest of the players. The game will teach them… you just need to set up the conducive environment, help guide them (implicit, not explicit learning… so SHUT UP!) and make sure they play fairly within the rules… and hold them accountable.

Far too often, we let kids shoot at the net, turn away to go back in line… they need to infer if they did a good job or not (shooter and goalie)… Did they hit the net? Did they score? Did they play the rebound (Did the goalie steer the rebound into the corner / not give a rebound, etc.)?

Keeping score is the ultimate accountability. Then it is up to the coach to administer rewards and punishments (individually or by team – depends on how you set up your games).

This attention to detail separates the "Coach Whisperers" from everyone else.

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