Reply To: NHL Team Finally Practicing Hockey at Practice

[hockeygod]

SMAC wrote:
I love the idea of keeping score and accountability . These are to be used in SAGS only ? How do you work it in 1 on 1 's 2 on 1's etc.
my practice his weekend i had the girls finish the "play " by scoring or goalie freezing the puck ( don't quit on the puck ) in d to fwds 3 shot drills . I guess you could do these in 1 on 1 , 2 on1 , 3 on 2 as well , just have to let other players wait until the play is finished instead of "flow " ?

Steve,

I always try to keep score: by individual (who scores and on who); or by team (put them in colours). This goes for all the games, SAGS, warmups, shootouts, etc. You can use 'time' as a scoring factor to help increase competition too!

Scoring heightens intensity and implicit learning (due to the increased focus from everyone) – then you add in accountability and – WHAMMO – we got ourselves a top-notch culture… one gigantic step closer to establishing what you want in the environment!

For 1 vs 1 / 2 vs 1, etc. you can count the number of scoring chances, shots on net, goals, etc for offense. You can count the opposite on defence (scoring chances prevented / denied, shots blocked, times the puck is cleared out of the D zone, etc.) Details can be a pain in the ass, but attention to them separates spectator coaches from GREAT coaches! At the end of the day, it is about scoring… or not scoring. This helps keep it simple!

Good call to have your girls 'finish' the play. (The Flames had the D make a pass to the coach in their own DZ to 'stop' that rush and initiate the next rush – good decision.) Play till a whistle – just like in a game.

Let the game dictate the 'flow' and tell the coach to stuff his whistle in his… back pocket! If it takes five minutes (or more) to score, be patient. We did one game this year that took the kids 12 minutes before someone scored. The other kids on the bench were getting ancy (rightfully so) but once that first goal and transition happened, we were off to the races and it flowed very well. One of the teachers wanted us to blow it down and change everyone 1 minute into the process! You just have to have trust in your game and belief in the process… it was a great learning experience for that teacher AND the kids – it was important to debrief at the end and guide the discussion where we wanted it to go. Everyone understood the process much better after 'living' this situation. After this, other times where there was a long time before a change, the kids and teacher understood and were much more patient.

Often the first few reps take longer, then people get tired, make mistakes and then it really picks up! However, if you find there are a lot of lengthy delays, figure out how you can modify the game (add or subtract restrictions / modify the 'Rules of Engagement') to help increase the pace. This might mean taking away or adding ice / players / rules. Experiment (with a purpose in mind) and have fun!

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