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

[hockeygod]

DMan wrote:
Dean,

I have a group of high school players in a community where hockey is relatively new. Our rink is 7 years old, so our oldest kids (18 years) didn't start playing until they were 11. The younger kids coming in are better skilled on the whole (14 year old-s who started at age 7) but they are smaller and not quite ready for the physical aspects of the game.

My biggest challenge is: How much time do I spend on strategy and game play concepts, and how much do I spend on individual skills. Our skill deficiencies always seem to get in the way of execution, both offensive & defensive.

Thanks for leading the charge on the discussion board.

Dave

Dave,

If you can't execute the basic skills, you are wasting time on strategy and team play concepts and increasing everyone's frustration levels… they won't be capable of executing them consistently (on-ice.) Why don't you rent a gym, or go to a parking lot, and do all of your team tactics using floor hockey sticks (unihockey / floorball) and or just using a walk through with a ball as they can all walk, right??!! You can also use European Handball to teach principles of play… I run an entire sequence of games off-ice that I can also use on-ice. I have done these with soccer and hockey and it can also apply to basketball as it is very similar (continuous team play.)

My suggestion is to judge your time accordingly. So more time, especially early (now) on skills. Stationary (but with heads up), then once they become competent, get them moving. Then once they get competent, try to get them to execute the same skills more quickly (heads up.) When they get better, put pressure on them… like keep score (accountability) – how many shots hit the net, passes can they make on the tape out of 10, use time limits to put pressure on, etc. Be creative!

Not knowing exactly your skill level, it is tough to say. But I would spend 10-15 minutes doing a skill warmup (skills in combination – individual skills progressing to individual tactics – skating, puck control, shooting); then some team tactics (2 or more players involved) for another 10-15 minutes; then I would spend the rest of the time on Smart Transitional Games. These improve intensity, competition (keep score and losers have to do something – winners get a break / water), fitness and require the individuals to perform skills and tactics in a real-life setting (under pressure / on demand) so the game becomes the teacher! Plus they are fun!

Remember… SKILLS first with heads up. Then increase the speed / pace expectations with heads up. (Try the silence rule.) Then increase the pressure while they perform the skill with heads up at speed. Then they should be able to perform these under demand.

Just my 2 cents…

PS If you haven't bought Tom's book, you should! He has a ton of good stuff in there and it is presented in a logical, progressive manner!

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