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

[DMan]

Dean,

You sure know how to guilt a guy into posting…….

Thanks to all for the input. I have a group that's pretty rough around the edges this year, so here's what we've been focusing on for good habits….I welcome any feedback.

1) Skating low (helps everything)
2) Stick on the puck (defense)
3) Calling for the pass and exaggerating the target (offense)
4) Offensive triangle on attack
4) Carry the puck on the forehand & in power (Tom calls it "triple threat") position whenever you can.

I've been keeping it real simple and trying to minimize extra puck-handling, passes and touches wherever possible. Using small games a lot in practice, starting to integrate transition games too.

On another note I really like Kai's video of team Finland a little while back…..never thought of the advantages of having the puck in the center of the ice through the neutral zone….hope to work on that next. Also never heard the term "the big ice" before reading Tom's books, and the videos sure help (though my Finish needs help desperately). I'd love to see more video from those Pro practices if you can put it together…..I get so much from those.

First games this weekend. Time to work on special teams before leaving town. Thanks again for the info…have an Old Style Pilsner for me, eh?