Reply To: Good Habits at Practice? The Art of Coaching!

[hockeygod]

A continuation from DMan's post…

]"…we have developed a bunch of drill players rather than game players. Just like in classroom teaching, if they can't apply it on their own they haven't really learned it.

So the question for you all is: What are your top 3 player habits in your opinion, and what do you do to ingrain them?

Thanks again for the post.

Dave"

I agree 100% with your comment that we are creating drill players (robots who can't think – just do as we tell them – take orders – it might work for the military, but hockey is a fluid game that requires split-second decisions) – that is why it is so important to get the players to understand the reasons behind "why" we do something! Educate them in Hockey 101… like what Eric said above – watch games, read books, have discussions with a purpose. Playing games (rather than drills) help players improve their read and react skills as well as developing Game Sense!

Practice is for the coach. Questioning and feedback on behalf of the coach should occur more here. Games are for the players. Coaches should learn to shut up (myself included) and observe. Let the players play… and make mistakes. If they have a question, they will ask you. sometimes you may need to ask a player what they say out there… have them take responsibility to determine what worked, what didn't and perhaps what they would do differently next time in the same or similar situation. The coach stays calm, composed and zen-master-like… making mental notes for questions to ask during the intermission… and to help apply towards future practice designs. This ain't football where the plays are clearly defined; with predictable stoppages; players wearing speakers in the helmet; time to look for signals from the bench, etc.

From coaching University women for three years and a U18 provincial team, the girls 'forced' me to be more prepared so far as being able to justify everything I said / did. They always wanted to know the purpose. They held me accountable if I didn't know, or gave them a crappy answer. They forced me to get better and I carry that over to when I coach boys / men.

Now when I mentor, I teach coaches to plan purposeful practices ("drills" – how I HATE that word! And "games" – how I LOVE that word) which involve healthy competition. I keep score and rewards / consequences are always on the line. This improves focus when listening to the Rules of Engagement (parameters), increases intensity during the execution phase, is FUN for the players (if they didn't love to compete, they would be somewhere else… and we wouldn't have a scoreboard!) with the added bonus of increasing fitness levels.

State the reason why you are doing the drill / game, explain or demo it, ask for questions, let them do it, and then when you bring the group back together afterward, ask the players how it went … draw out the goods and bads on both sides of the puck (D and O) then try to bring closure to that drill (ie: relate it to a game situation and again – the "why" you did it) before you move onto the next one.

As for three player habits (there could be lots I could type here!)… but once you decide on these, you need to design your practices to allow for them to be practiced often (obviously!) and then ensure that you and your A/C's monitor them diligently and consistently.

(1) Play your puck with your head up, at speed (ie: in practice – chase your puck down and and finish your play! Don't shortcut by playing a different puck. The game is only played with one puck! If there is a bad pass, go back, become an option a second time; if it is off-side, go back and regroup… make the drill work. I am sure you can think of other situations to make this apply to your standards!) These habits encourage work ethic, determination, perseverance and taking pride in one's performance.

(2) Drive the net hard, stick down, be prepared to stop to play a rebound QUICKLY (you might only get 1 crack at a rebound in a game situation) or respond to the loose puck. This works on determination, quick hands / quick feet and the ability to make a quick play at speed and under pressure.

(3) Passes are to be hard, flat and on the tape. Stress direct passes on and to the forehand as much as possible. However, you will practice backhands, area, bank, aerial, saucer and rim passes as the game dictates which technique you can use. This works on passing, receiving and timing skills. (Passing and receiving start with the equipment- look at the stick length, lie, curve, thickness (junior, intermediate, adult), flex and material (wood – YAY! vs. Crap-om-po-site – this discussion is for another day!) Is it right for the individual?) This expectation eliminates fancy crap when it's not needed and teaches the kids to try to "play like a professional". It helps them with consistency. It bugs me when kids have all the time in the world, and they needlessly try to do a saucer pass… when hard and flat would be a much superior option!

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