Reply To: Teaching Methods

[Paulie]

Tom,

Thanks for the clarification. That's the way I've been doing things these last seven years. Sometimes I get hooked up on the drill, but not too often. I strive to get 42 min of activity out of a 60 min practice and usually achieve it.

Pops,

Thanks for the input. I remember an old coach of mine telling me that the feet can control the puck on the stick. He was saying that skating is intrinsically tied up with effective stick-handling. A good reminder.

I'm starting a new Hockey school that stresses the methodology that Tom outlines. Most schools do a fair to excellent job of teaching skills, but don't contextualize them. Players are wonderfully skilled, but lack game understanding–mainly because game thinking is rarely taught, both at the school and team level.

We're starting this fall with a try-out prep camp we call "Game Ready". Check out our web site at http://www.theedgesports.ca

You will, no doubt, recognize much of the language. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Paulie