Category: Coach’s Handbook

When looking for hockey camps to help your child’s development, it’s easy to get caught up in the buzzwords like elite, master, power, explosive, acceleration and speed that seem to be everywhere. While these words can sound attractive, it’s important to understand what they really mean when it comes to hockey development. Many hockey camps offer flashy promises of quick results, but in reality, developing hockey skills takes time and effort. In this blog post, we will explore buzzwords when it comes to hockey development and how to evaluate camps based on their real results.

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When it comes to performance on the ice, having the right hockey stick is key. But what many don’t know is that the flexibility of the stick is just as important. The legendary Kelly McCrimmon knows this well, having been an owner in the Western Hockey League and current GM of the Las Vegas Golden Knights. I was lucky enough to experience his hockey stick secrets firsthand when I went shopping for a stick with him in Dauphin Manitoba during a youth hockey tournament. His knowledge and expertise on hockey sticks showed me how it can impact performance. In this blog post, I’ll discuss my experience with Kelly and why flexibility in a hockey stick is essential.

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The world of hockey has long been dominated by males, but that is quickly changing. With the growth of female hockey on the worldwide stage, more and more female coaches and players are entering the game. This surge in female hockey is creating an exciting new opportunity for women to take the lead in this sport. In this blog post, we will explore the rise of female hockey players on the worldwide stage and how they are creating stronger team cultures within their organizations.

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Hockey parents are a key part of any youth hockey program. While most parents are understanding and supportive, some can become problem parents. As a coach, it is important to know how to handle these challenging situations in order to create a positive environment for the players. In this blog post, we will provide tips and strategies for how to handle problem parents in youth hockey.

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In today’s world, GEN-Z Hockey players are faced with a unique challenge: how to balance parental involvement in their lives with the need for independence and autonomy. As parents, we often want to support our children, but at what point do we cross the line and become overbearing? This is a fine line, and one that requires great care and thoughtfulness when it comes to decisions that involve our GEN-Z Hockey players. I’ve physically witnessed job interviews where parents either sat in or literally did the interview without the kid even being there. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of finding the right balance between parental involvement and allowing kids to take ownership of their own lives and decisions.

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Hockey is an explosive, fast-paced game that requires a high level of speed and agility to be successful. Sprint-Based Hockey is a method of training that focuses on developing these attributes in players by limiting their movement area and implementing short sprints with short rest times. By gradually increasing the length of skating durations and using longer rest times, coaches can help their players develop explosive speed and agility. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of Sprint-Based Hockey and how it can help hockey players improve their game.

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Team bonding is an integral part of developing a successful hockey culture. When done correctly, team bonding activities can be a great way to strengthen relationships between teammates and build a strong sense of camaraderie. One key factor to consider when creating team bonding activities is the use of tight spaces. By cramming teammates into tight spaces, it can create an environment of vulnerability and connection that is essential for effective team bonding. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of tight spaces in hockey team bonding and how to create activities that maximize these benefits.

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Rookie parties in hockey have a long history of tradition, but when they cross the line into sexual abuse, it can have damaging consequences. Such was the case when I was 17 years old when a couple of teammates on the U18 hockey team were accused of hiding in the closet and videotaping another player having sex with his girlfriend. This incident serves as a reminder that coaches need to be aware of the potential risks and teach young players how to conduct themselves in these potentially dangerous situations because they can have a life alternating effect. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at how rookie parties in hockey can become instances of sexual abuse.

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As a hockey coach, it can be extremely frustrating when your drill plan falls apart during practice. Every coach wants their drill plans to be executed perfectly, but sometimes no matter how much you communicate the instructions, your players just don’t seem to get it. It’s a difficult situation to be in for any hockey coach, but it’s important to remember that effective coach communication is key to successful drills. In this blog post, we’ll look at what to do when your drill plan falls apart and how to avoid it in the future.

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When it comes to youth hockey, parents and coaches should be re-evaluating their priorities to focus on development over competing. Despite hockey development models not introducing the train-to-win phase until U18 levels, many parents and coaches are prioritizing winning at the U7 levels. This can be a detrimental practice, as it often takes away from the development of the players and can lead to serious issues such as burnout and a lack of motivation.

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