Reply To: The Art and Science of Coaching

[Tom Molloy]

Dean I think that there are lots of different levels of coaching in the NHL. When Pittsburg was here at the start of the season it was easy to see that they are allowed to be creative and tha coaches adapted the team play after the first to take advantage of the opposition.

The Oilers came here and played a passive 1-4 vs the Flames passive 1-4 and the most excitement I had that night was waiting for the train after the game.

If drills have a purpose such as clarifying an individual skill or team play problem then they benefit the player and the team. They must have a purpose. The coach then needs to put these skills into a competitive situation so they are being done under pressure. Horst Wein calls the drills CORRECTIVE EXERCISES and uses them to fix problems.

So drills and games are both needed during practice and the coach has to decide what the correct ratio is.

A player should only be standing in line for enough time to recover for the next rep and the drills must require good technique and good habits to be effective.

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