Reply To: NHL Team Finally Practicing Hockey at Practice

[Tom Molloy]

I am combining a few postings here. The first is What Is Hockey? What happens in a game should determine how we prepare players during practice. I then compare the on ice practices of two pro coaches at an NHL prospect camp. One uses the ABC method of drills, games, transition games and the other simply goes from one drill to the other.

Which is more effective, more enjoyable, more game like?
—————————-
What is Hockey?
This is an article about what actually happens in a game and how we need to duplicate it in practice to develop players who can Play Hockey.
https://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/forums/topic/what-happens-in-a-hockey-shift/
————————————
Comparison of Juuso’s ABC model of practice as opposed to the Drill Model.

I posted this about two Flames Prospect Camp practices. The first was identical to the kind of practice Juuso or I would run and the second was a different coach who simply went from one drill to the other.

I am fired up. I just watched the Flames prospects practice. It is draft choices, free agents and minor league players practicing in two groups. Here is what I saw.

Two colours only with half the F and half the D in one colour. Exception is when they put the joker in a black jersey.

Drills were allowed to conclude naturally.i.e a goal, frozen puck or the D passed to the coach.

Cross ice games.
Game one transition game with passive support and teammates joining attack.
Game two-2-2 but allowed to shoot on either net.

One zone games at each end.

Full ice one puck transition games.
Game one; 2-2 with active support then the rule added to regroup on a whistle and continue.
Game two continuous 3-2 with passisve support. One puck only.

2-2 regroup with the joker when you regain the puck and the joker moves around but must stay below the dots.

Here is the video of the ABC style practice. It is 30 minutes long.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20120710152604109

GREAT ABC PRACTICE FLAMES
————————————-
This is the comment and link to the second practice using the Drills Model.

As pumped as I was yesterday about the productive and competitive practice the prospects did yesterday – I am disappointed today. A different coach ran the practice and did a whole bunch of flow type drills that in themselves were ok but to do one after the other of basically warm up drills with robotic repetition was non productive and I don't see how it followed the posted theme of one puck drills and competition so the team could evaluate 'Game Sense' which they say they are looking for. The American league coach ran the last exercise and it was a one zone game.

I will post the practice and you can compare one day to the next.

http://www.hockeycoachingabcs.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=2012071112422387

'The Game is the Greatest Coach'
'Enjoy the Game'