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THINK LIKE A PLAYER
When explaining drills and plays make sure everyone understands.
Is the play or drill too hard or simple for your players at
their current level? Ask yourself these questions before you
begin. Then remember – offer advice, praise and discipline.
BY THE INCH IS A CINCH - BY THE YARD IS HARD
This is the Golden Rule of coaching, teaching and learning
anything! Teach new concepts and skills in pieces. Break down
each skill into individual components; and teach the entire
skill over the course of one or more practices. It is easier to
digest small bites than large chunks.
SINCERE AND HONEST PRAISE
Pointed, detailed, short praise to a player is more valuable
than hours of condemnation. Always praise a player for a proper
action before correcting them of an improper action. If you must
discipline a player, QUICKLY follow it up with praise once the
player acts correctly.
CHALLENGE
Adding challenge to the most basic of drills will motivate your
players tremendously. Athletes, at all levels, are competitive
by nature. Find unique ways to integrate challenges into all
aspects of your coaching. For example, the so-called “Suicide”
drills demand the most from your players – physically. Add a
“rabbit” to the drill. The last player(s) to finish the drill
becomes the next “rabbit.
KEEP THE PLAYERS MOVING
Most line drills are BORING! Plan drills that keep the players
moving; or standing around as little as possible. In the event
line drills are absolutely necessary, divide the players into as
many lines or sections possible. Remember a good indication that
your players are bored or standing idle too long is that they
are shooting pucks at the boards or fooling around as they wait
their turn to perform the drill. Added bonus: your players’
endurance will benefit from constant movement.
REPETITION
An average player will probably repeat a skill hundred times
before they can perform the skill automatically. The more
difficult the skill – the more it has to be repeated. Repeat the
skill in several forms both during a single practice session,
and over the course of several practices.
20-SECOND EXPLANATION
Most mites/squirts lose interest after 20 seconds. Therefore, it
your responsibility to be concise in your explanation of a
drill/skill so as not to lose the players attention. Because the
playing surface is so large, it is difficult for players to hear
or understand you if you are moving and talking. Begin by
explaining the drill in a stationary position; then, follow it
up with a demonstration. Also, address your players with your
back to the boards. This will prevent the players from being
distracted by other happenings taking place on the ice.
In addition: Try to keep drills to a maximum of eight minutes.
After eight minutes, drills become tedious and the players will
stop having fun. Occasionally, I will schedule several simple
three-minute drills to drive home a specific skill point. This
approach keeps practices moving and maintains the players’
attention levels.
DO NOT MAKE NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO PLAYERS IN FRONT OF
TEAMMATES
Never put down or ridicule a player in front of other players –
especially when that player is not present. Likewise, do not
allow other players to make the same mistake. Other players are
keen to negative remarks made by coaches such as “that player
stinks”, and it reduces their trust and confidence in you.
Simply put: Give a dog a bad name and the dog will bite. Give a
dog a bone and it will perform tricks.
ESTABLISH A CODE OF CONDUCT EARLY
Establish a code of conduct and administer it equally (i.e. the
best player and the coaches’ sons/daughters). Lack of control
will be inevitable if favouritism is evident.
OLD DOGS CAN LEARN NEW TRICKS
As coaches, you should constantly seek out new ideas and
methods. Swap drills with other coaches, watch and read skills
videos and books, attend coaching clinics and keep abreast of
the latest developments. Hockey is played differently today than
it was in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Players are motivated
differently too. A knowledgeable and informed coach is a good
coach – so keep learning new tricks! |
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