Reply To: Practice Tempo

[hockeygod]

Tom,

Funny you mention "speed of mind" (Tarasov) as John told me he saw you at Crowchild that morning. I noticed a few of the 'old pros' were warming up on the ice when I left.

I watched them for 45 minutes last week and a couple of guys stood out exactly for that reason – they saw the ice and knew what they were going to do before they got the puck. When they got the puck, they didn't lose any speed. They moved the puck or moved their body WITH the puck. Passing windows didn't close because they hung onto the puck too long. If the pass was there and it improved their team's positioning on the ice, they moved it QUICK!

For guys who played at the highest level (NHL / AHL as you say), they are used to reading the play and making decisions QUICKER and typically BETTER than those who didn't (couldn't?) play at the higher levels. Those who have played in the NHL and the minors tell me, "it's easier to play in the NHL because people know how to play their positions.")

So your suggestion of incorporating Mental Overspeed is a good one! I like the phrasing!

I encourage my players to always 'play at their highest tempo' meaning in two areas: physically (lose the puck, fall over, etc.) and mentally (make a pass to a strong option but because they are developing 'speed of mind', it might not be on the tape – or they might fan on the pass.) Being able to play 'heads up hockey' is the key to seeing the options and then making decisions.

Execute Skills
with Heads Up
Quickly (at game-like tempo or above i.e.: overspeed to challenge oneself)
Under Pressure
even While Fatigued
CONSISTENTLY

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