In today’s hockey world, coaches are constantly juggling between team practice and skills sessions. The lines between the two seem to be blurry as coaches bring out pylons and danglers during team practices, while players have access to individual skill coaches outside of team activities.
This raises an important question: are coaches misunderstanding the importance of team play in this new generation of highly skilled players? It seems that there may be a focus on individual skills rather than incorporating them into team strategies during practices.
As players progress into their teenage years and face tighter competition, passing and creating offensive opportunities become crucial, yet seem to suffer the most. So, what are the differences between a team practice and skills session, and how can coaches strike a balance between developing individual skills and fostering team dynamics?
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