We've discussed in previous posts the importance of practices over games, and the OMHA study that revealed that players generally only control the puck less than 1 minute over the course of a standard youth hockey game. Moreover, we've discussed how many coaches and parents focus on correcting the mistakes players make when they do have the puck, and neglect the 98% of the game when they do not possess it.
So how can we teach the art of "playing without the puck"? how can we improve our youth players "Hockey IQ"? Here are some suggestions...
1. As a coach or parental observer, focus on re-creating plays in the mind of the youth athlete and express in detail what they could have done when their teammate had the puck. The key to playing away from the puck is anticipation and having good hockey sense. Did non-puck players find the open ice to support the puck carrier by putting themselves in a position to do one of two things: free up ice for the puck carrier to move, or make themselves an attractive target and give their teammate an outlet to pass the puck. Especially at the youth level, you see a lot of kids spending too much time watching the play instead of moving to help create a play. Diagram or draw up in their mind a specific breakout, offensive zone entry play, or regroup when a linemate of theirs made an outstanding play, and explain to them how they could have helped it without ever touching the puck.
2. Use a video and record your son/daughter playing. Watch it with your kids and focus on what they are doing when they are out of the play. You don't have to be Bill Belichick and breakdown every piece of footage, but this can be a fun exercise and extremely helpful.
3. Watch hockey together either live or on TV, and have them watch a specific player for a specific shift. Express to them not to follow the puck with their eyes for the next 30-40 seconds while their favorite player, or the target of this exercise, is on the ice and instead follow that player and watch how he activates into his D-Zone coverage and into plays in the offensive zone. Regroups and breakouts are great for demonstrating body positioning and communication. Some of the best players to do this with are the players who may not be as overwhelmingly skilled, but are consistently productive. Here are my suggestions- Forwards- Patrick Elias (NJ Devils). Defensemen- Nick Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings).
4. Coaches- In practice it is important to work on drills, even at the youth (squirt/ pee wee) level WITHOUT cones, and then demonstrate (Yes, you jumping into the drill and moving your feet) to the players what the support players should have done on a particular drill. A lot of Neutral Zone regroup drills, offensive zone entry, or split D/ F drills are perfect for this, and kids will respond better to watching you do it, than you drawing it up on a dry erase board. Cones are great as imaginary defensemen, but can develop bad habits when used as positional boundaries or lanes, as youth players won't understand why they are there.
5. Footwork Drills. Bad footwork, and poor skating fundamentals are the elephant in the room when it comes to explaining to a parent why their son/ daughter isn't scoring goals or getting beat one on one. Many parents will ask me to work with their son/ daughter on one on one skills, and then be perplexed when I run them through 30-40 minutes of powerskating drills during a training session. The reality is, that the lateral movement work, the transitions, the stops and starts, and power work develop the skating skills to win one on one battles, and to be more active in their play away from the puck. Without good footwork, or skating skills, all the other tools are wasted.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Story of Derek Boogaard.... an interesting look inside.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/boogaard-video.html#chapter/2
| Season | Team | Lge | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Regina Pats | WHL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | -2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1999-00 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 149 | -3 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2000-01 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 61 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 245 | -9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 31 |
| 2001-02 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2001-02 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 46 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 178 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2002-03 | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | 27 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 65 | -2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2002-03 | Louisiana IceGators | ECHL | 33 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 240 | -3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003-04 | Houston Aeros | AHL | 53 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 207 | -7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
| 2004-05 | Houston Aeros | AHL | 56 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 259 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 |
| 2005-06 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 65 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 158 | 2 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2006-07 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 48 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| 2007-08 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 74 | -5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| 2008-09 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 51 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 87 | 3 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2009-10 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 57 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 105 | -12 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2010-11 | New York Rangers | NHL | 22 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 45 | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| NHL Totals | 277 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 589 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Proper Forward Crossover Technique
A big emphasis on this year's current high school team is basic skills and proper skating technique. With 15 of our 20 player rosters underclassmen (freshmen & sophmores) and most with very limited playing/ skating experience, it is more important than ever to develop proper technique so that they have the necessary foundation with which to build upon.
The most common mistakes I see are any variety of steps rather than strides, improper weight distribution, lack of full extension... and sometimes even usage of wrong edges.
Here are 2 key teaching points to consider-
1. 2 Strides within the crossover push – the “stride push” and the “X-push.”
The “stride push” is the outside leg and mirrors the motion of a forward stride with leg locked at full extension and a powerful toe-flick at the end of the stride.
The “X-push” is performed with the inside leg. It also requires full extension and a toe-flick, but feels very un-natural and can take quite some time to learn, particularly if the placement of the skaters legs are improperly aligned and if the player isn't effectively bending their knees.
2. Carve the edges into the ice rather than simply gliding on them. Hold each push – both the “stride push” then the “X-push” for 3 seconds each as a drill to improve technique.
Coaches and players should listen to the ice for the sound of their skates carving hard into the ice. Often players will be strong on the inside-edge of their glide (outer) leg but soft (weak) on the outside-edge of their inside leg (“X-push”).
The lack of effective carving will be easily apparent for skaters who are crossover "steppers" and lack good body balance. If the skater is too upright, they will not be able to provide the necessary leverage to effectively carve.
"If you can't skate you can't rate."- No other skills matter any where near as much as skating, and it never hurts to go back and review the positive and negative components of your own individual skating stride. Everyone has their own style, and habits.. but their are always ways to get more out of what you are doing.
The most common mistakes I see are any variety of steps rather than strides, improper weight distribution, lack of full extension... and sometimes even usage of wrong edges.
Here are 2 key teaching points to consider-
1. 2 Strides within the crossover push – the “stride push” and the “X-push.”
The “stride push” is the outside leg and mirrors the motion of a forward stride with leg locked at full extension and a powerful toe-flick at the end of the stride.
The “X-push” is performed with the inside leg. It also requires full extension and a toe-flick, but feels very un-natural and can take quite some time to learn, particularly if the placement of the skaters legs are improperly aligned and if the player isn't effectively bending their knees.
2. Carve the edges into the ice rather than simply gliding on them. Hold each push – both the “stride push” then the “X-push” for 3 seconds each as a drill to improve technique.
Coaches and players should listen to the ice for the sound of their skates carving hard into the ice. Often players will be strong on the inside-edge of their glide (outer) leg but soft (weak) on the outside-edge of their inside leg (“X-push”).
The lack of effective carving will be easily apparent for skaters who are crossover "steppers" and lack good body balance. If the skater is too upright, they will not be able to provide the necessary leverage to effectively carve.
"If you can't skate you can't rate."- No other skills matter any where near as much as skating, and it never hurts to go back and review the positive and negative components of your own individual skating stride. Everyone has their own style, and habits.. but their are always ways to get more out of what you are doing.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Holiday Wish List
Many of you know I am very "Do it yourself-er" when it comes to hockey training and training gear. I think most items can be made, retro-fitted or the activities be replicated with a little elbow grease. Yet, there are some great tools that would make terrific gifts for the Youth Hockey Player in your life...
1) Weighted pucks- These items are very difficult to be retro-fitted as the vulcanized rubber of a standard puck loses its shape when altered. Weighted pucks are great for stickhandling practice to speed up your hands and shooting practice to strengthen your shot.
2) Don Cherry Videos- As a kid I used to love to watch Don Cherry video's, back when these were in VHS format, and try to copy the stickhandling and scoring moves of the players featured. Don Cherry has made a video a year, every year for the last 20 or so, so there are plenty of options to choose from. Each video includes a years worth of highlights, playoff features, and commentary.
3) Exercise Ball- These are a great way for youth players to first have an experience with strength training, and the difficult manuevers can be valuable for experienced players as well. Use the ball to strengthen your core, lower/ upper body, and balance training. Hundreds of exercises can be performed.
4) Street Hockey Net- These are necessary for any young player. Can be used for a backyard shooting station, street hockey games, or on a backyard or pond hockey rink. I've always preferred metal over PVC nets, as the PVC will break easily if used in the winter months.
5) Ken Dryden's "The Game"- A must read for any hockey fan. Dryden is a Cornell- grad and Hockey hall of famer, who detailed in this classic book the inner workings of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty.
1) Weighted pucks- These items are very difficult to be retro-fitted as the vulcanized rubber of a standard puck loses its shape when altered. Weighted pucks are great for stickhandling practice to speed up your hands and shooting practice to strengthen your shot.
2) Don Cherry Videos- As a kid I used to love to watch Don Cherry video's, back when these were in VHS format, and try to copy the stickhandling and scoring moves of the players featured. Don Cherry has made a video a year, every year for the last 20 or so, so there are plenty of options to choose from. Each video includes a years worth of highlights, playoff features, and commentary.
3) Exercise Ball- These are a great way for youth players to first have an experience with strength training, and the difficult manuevers can be valuable for experienced players as well. Use the ball to strengthen your core, lower/ upper body, and balance training. Hundreds of exercises can be performed.
4) Street Hockey Net- These are necessary for any young player. Can be used for a backyard shooting station, street hockey games, or on a backyard or pond hockey rink. I've always preferred metal over PVC nets, as the PVC will break easily if used in the winter months.
5) Ken Dryden's "The Game"- A must read for any hockey fan. Dryden is a Cornell- grad and Hockey hall of famer, who detailed in this classic book the inner workings of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Scoring Concepts LLC is Expanding! Christmas Clinic in Laconia, NH.
Scoring Concepts has had a great spring, summer and fall run. The amount of new kids & families we've been able to reach each and every week, with positive feedback, has given my wife and I enough confidence to expand our borders.
Being that we will be up in Gilford for a few days around the Christmas Holiday visiting with her family, I thought it'd be great to set a 90 minute clinic in the rink where I first met her... Laconia Ice Arena.
A recent article in the "New England Hockey Journal" (October 2011) pointed to a decrease in NHL players coming out of VT, NH, CT, and Mass. How a decade ago some of the NHL's brightest stars (John LeClair, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick) grew up in New England, and now New England can not claim any true Superstars born and raised in the region. Pointing to sun belt expansion and european influence, the article detailed a troublesome trend... that New England- based youth programs are focused on increasing game totals, rather than paying attention to skills and skill development in practice.
Scoring Concepts focuses 100% of its clinics on skills. The format wastes little to no time on setup, and kids learn in a competitive, yet fun atmosphere.... perfect for any attention span!
Email- scoringconcepts@gmail.com with questions.
Being that we will be up in Gilford for a few days around the Christmas Holiday visiting with her family, I thought it'd be great to set a 90 minute clinic in the rink where I first met her... Laconia Ice Arena.
What should you expect from a "Scoring Concepts" Clinic?
Here's the August 10th Skills Workshop broken down by the numbers-
* Players had the puck on their stick for a minimum of 40 Minutes (almost 300% more than the average game)
* Players participated in 47 minutes of drills involving shots. Each player took roughly 30 shots, compared to an average of 1 to 2 shots per average youth hockey game.
* 12 minute small area game had no line changes. This is equivalent to the same ice time a player would recieve in a full 3 period youth hockey game if the team had 3 lines per squad. The small area games develop communication and game sense skills that are difficult to develop in any other format.
* Players were given feedback and instructed on their powerskating (which represented 30 minutes of drill work at the clinic). As stated in the OMHA study, "99% of the feedback coaches give players is when they have the puck. Ironically players only have the puck on their stick for 0.2% of the game."
* Players had the puck on their stick for a minimum of 40 Minutes (almost 300% more than the average game)
* Players participated in 47 minutes of drills involving shots. Each player took roughly 30 shots, compared to an average of 1 to 2 shots per average youth hockey game.
* 12 minute small area game had no line changes. This is equivalent to the same ice time a player would recieve in a full 3 period youth hockey game if the team had 3 lines per squad. The small area games develop communication and game sense skills that are difficult to develop in any other format.
* Players were given feedback and instructed on their powerskating (which represented 30 minutes of drill work at the clinic). As stated in the OMHA study, "99% of the feedback coaches give players is when they have the puck. Ironically players only have the puck on their stick for 0.2% of the game."
A recent article in the "New England Hockey Journal" (October 2011) pointed to a decrease in NHL players coming out of VT, NH, CT, and Mass. How a decade ago some of the NHL's brightest stars (John LeClair, Tony Amonte, Jeremy Roenick) grew up in New England, and now New England can not claim any true Superstars born and raised in the region. Pointing to sun belt expansion and european influence, the article detailed a troublesome trend... that New England- based youth programs are focused on increasing game totals, rather than paying attention to skills and skill development in practice.
Scoring Concepts focuses 100% of its clinics on skills. The format wastes little to no time on setup, and kids learn in a competitive, yet fun atmosphere.... perfect for any attention span!
Email- scoringconcepts@gmail.com with questions.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
At Home Strength Training Activities for Hockey
Wanna improve your strength, stability, and performance but too young or is it too expensive to go the gym? With school, homework, family, and hockey games/ practices can you not find an extra 30minutes to strength train?
Try these exercises WHILE you are watching one 30 minute TV show....
1) Core Circuit- Perform the following 4 activities for a timed 30 seconds and repeat for 2 sets.
a. Mui Tai Sit ups- legs stretched out flat and hands to forehead. Roll your upper body completely up to 90 degrees. Repeat.
b. Russian twists- balance yourself on your butt with back at 45 degree and and legs bent but elevated off ground. Twist torso left and right. Repeat.
c. Leg lifts- Back and legs flat. Extend upwards, keeping legs straight 6-10 inches off the ground in a controlled motion. Up then back down again. Repeat.
d. Crunches- Feet flat on ground and back down. Crunch your upper body up, with your arms crossed, to your knees. Repeat.
Rest for 1 minute after all 4 are done, then repeat circuit for 2nd set.
2) Dumbbell (weighted) Wrist Rollers- Take a dumbbell (5-10lbs to start) or anyother household item with a handle (milk jug, kettle etc.) and roll up your wrist forewards for 30 seconds, then backwards. This will greatly strengthen your forearm muscles and improve your ability to catch passes and power your shot.
3) Yoga Stretches- Perform a 10 minute yoga stretching and balance routine, with an emphasis on completing these activities with proper form and breathing technique. Here is an example.-
4) Pushups- During the 2 to 3 commercial breaks in the 30 minute program, try to complete as many pushups as possible. Commercials generally last for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, so pace yourself and complete all pushups with proper form.
These activities are all relatively easy, and can be done, basically, without ever taking your eyes off the TV screen....
If you do these every night WHILE you watch TV, you will see tremendous strength gains, and become a better hockey player!
Try these exercises WHILE you are watching one 30 minute TV show....
1) Core Circuit- Perform the following 4 activities for a timed 30 seconds and repeat for 2 sets.
a. Mui Tai Sit ups- legs stretched out flat and hands to forehead. Roll your upper body completely up to 90 degrees. Repeat.
b. Russian twists- balance yourself on your butt with back at 45 degree and and legs bent but elevated off ground. Twist torso left and right. Repeat.
c. Leg lifts- Back and legs flat. Extend upwards, keeping legs straight 6-10 inches off the ground in a controlled motion. Up then back down again. Repeat.
d. Crunches- Feet flat on ground and back down. Crunch your upper body up, with your arms crossed, to your knees. Repeat.
Rest for 1 minute after all 4 are done, then repeat circuit for 2nd set.
2) Dumbbell (weighted) Wrist Rollers- Take a dumbbell (5-10lbs to start) or anyother household item with a handle (milk jug, kettle etc.) and roll up your wrist forewards for 30 seconds, then backwards. This will greatly strengthen your forearm muscles and improve your ability to catch passes and power your shot.
4) Pushups- During the 2 to 3 commercial breaks in the 30 minute program, try to complete as many pushups as possible. Commercials generally last for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, so pace yourself and complete all pushups with proper form.
These activities are all relatively easy, and can be done, basically, without ever taking your eyes off the TV screen....
If you do these every night WHILE you watch TV, you will see tremendous strength gains, and become a better hockey player!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thoughts on Effective Coaching
Coaching is an interesting profession... no two days are the same. Every variable is constantly changing, from the attitudes and perceptions of individuals, to the motivation and characteristics of the collective team, on a day to day basis getting through and being effective takes great attention to detail.
Here are some ideas...
Consider this other statistical example-
Hockey is easily the most costly of the team sports. "Nick" has been playing since he was five and this year, says his father, "John", 46, the family will spend over $4500 a year for the hockey habit. The equipment alone will cost $750. Some parents hope their kids win college athletic scholarships. But think about it. If you spend $4500 per year for 10 years of youth sports, you can pay for the college education. Robert Malina, director of the Institute of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, says the parents would be better off putting the money they spend on travel teams into a savings account. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, fewer than 1% of the kids participating in organized sports today will be good enough to land a college scholarship....
Studies show that 73% of kids quit their childhood sport by age 13 because it ceases to be fun.
Info provided by- http://www.collegecharlie.com/ysports.html
Coaching is constantly evolving. This blog entry was started primarily because I recently finished the above book by Tony Dungy "The Mentor Leader" and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interacting with children, or working in a management capacity. Mr. Dungy has published other books that are equally as terrific, "Uncommon" comes to mind, but as I prepare for my High School Hockey season, his newest book is most fresh in my mind.
Take the above statistics on managing people, and properly motivating them. Infuse your own person style, and be creative, but focus with the long-term ambition in mind...
Although I am relatively new to coaching, I find it to be the most stimulating endeavor I've ever undertaken.
Here are some ideas...
Consider this other statistical example-
Hockey is easily the most costly of the team sports. "Nick" has been playing since he was five and this year, says his father, "John", 46, the family will spend over $4500 a year for the hockey habit. The equipment alone will cost $750. Some parents hope their kids win college athletic scholarships. But think about it. If you spend $4500 per year for 10 years of youth sports, you can pay for the college education. Robert Malina, director of the Institute of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, says the parents would be better off putting the money they spend on travel teams into a savings account. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, fewer than 1% of the kids participating in organized sports today will be good enough to land a college scholarship....
Studies show that 73% of kids quit their childhood sport by age 13 because it ceases to be fun.
Info provided by- http://www.collegecharlie.com/ysports.html
Coaching is constantly evolving. This blog entry was started primarily because I recently finished the above book by Tony Dungy "The Mentor Leader" and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interacting with children, or working in a management capacity. Mr. Dungy has published other books that are equally as terrific, "Uncommon" comes to mind, but as I prepare for my High School Hockey season, his newest book is most fresh in my mind.
Take the above statistics on managing people, and properly motivating them. Infuse your own person style, and be creative, but focus with the long-term ambition in mind...
Although I am relatively new to coaching, I find it to be the most stimulating endeavor I've ever undertaken.
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