Color-coded Breakout System and Options

As we discussed in our video on Hockey Systems for Youngsters, structured systems CAN be taught to young hockey players, and a color-coded breakout system is one way of doing this.

Young hockey players are often more advanced physically than mentally. Because of this, players at higher levels of play can typically execute the basic patterns of a breakout (i.e. skate the puck behind the net and pass to a winger on the boards) long before they can read which option to select in a given situation.

Color-coding a breakout system allows the “read” portion of “read and react” to be passed along to the coach, who can call the plays from the bench using the color code. Well-trained players will hear the call, and react accordingly.

As players get older, they are taught to read the plays for themselves.

CLICK HERE to watch our video on “Initiating a Hockey Breakout”

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Basic Patterns, Bench, Breakout, Coach, Color Coding, Hockey Players, Options, Puck, Skate, Structured Systems, System Color, Winger, Youngsters

Track the Speed of your Hockey Shot with this Radar Gun iPhone App!

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by the developers of a new iPhone app called Speedhero. I took a look at a few of their YouTube videos, and was blown away by what I saw:

The folks down at Speedhero have come up with a way to track the speed of a shot using your phone!

It all centers around a basic equation you’ve probably seen before D=RxT (Distance = Rate x Time). If you have any two of these components, you can figure out the third. With Speedhero, you program in your “Distance” from the goal, then it uses the microphone in your iPhone to pick up two important sounds: your stick hitting the puck, and the puck hitting the target. By tracking those two points of impact, we now have “Time” to go along with our “Distance.” From there, the program can calculate the “Rate” at which the puck arrived. Pretty sweet!

One quick thing I should mention. The current version of Speedhero for the iPhone was designed primarily for Soccer. I contacted the developers, and asked what the difference would be for hockey. I was told there are differences in the flight patterns of a puck vs a ball, and that those differences should be accounted for in the algorithm. So, when the hockey version comes out it will be a bit more accurate for us hockey players. However, this is still a fun and inexpensive way to track your progress over the summer. ENJOY!

Technorati Tags: Algorithm, Blown Away, Current Version, Developers, Flight Patterns, Hockey Players, Iphone, Microphone, Puck, Radar Gun, Rt, Rxt, Shot Gun, Soccer, Target, X Time, Youtube Videos

Welcome to Weiss Tech Hockey’s Home Hockey Training Center!

As you know, hockey is a complex game that combines MANY different skills. Great hockey players can skate well, stickhandle, shoot, pass… they’re strong, fast, smart, and make the right decision at the right time!

One of the biggest mistakes many hockey players make is that they only work on their skills at the rink; they only work on their speed and strength at the rink; and they only work on their hockey smarts at the rink. In today’s game, if you’re only developing your abilities during your regular practices and games, you’re probably not going to achieve your full potential. The best players I know are at the gym on their own, working on their hockey skills off the ice, and improving their decision-making-abilities AWAY FROM THE RINK AS WELL!

Last summer I put together my Coaches’ Training Course, which focused on systems play, and other “mental aspects” of the game. This summer I’ll be focusing more on Individual Skill development. I recently re-released my off-ice strength and conditioning program, the S3 Formula, which focuses on developing raw Speed, Strength, and Size. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be walking you through the process of developing a Home Hockey Training Center that will allow you to improve your Individual Skills at home!

Let’s get started!

Technorati Tags: Coaches Training, Conditioning Program, Course Overview, Game, Games, Hockey Players, Hockey Skills, Hockey Training, Home Hockey, Introduction Course, Mental Aspects, Raw Speed, Right Decision, Right Time, Skill Development, Smarts, Strength And Conditioning, Time One

Musical Pucks is a great game to help youngsters work on crossovers

Working on crossovers can be hard and frustrating for many young hockey players. I’ve found that turning skill development drills into shooting drills or games can make them a lot more fun and motivating to work on. Musical Pucks is a small area game that demonstrates this tactic well.

Enjoy!!

CLICK HERE for a PDF of Musical Pucks

Technorati Tags: Crossovers, Games, Great Game, Hockey Players, Pdf, Skill Development, Tactic, Youngsters

Hockey Community is the future of rec hockey organization!

A few months ago I came in contact with Alex Toulemond, developer of Hockey Community, a place where hockey players can connect with other players in their own community to start teams, join existing teams, and find other playing opportunities at their local rinks! The site is brand new, but I believe it has the potential to become a staple for rec hockey players everywhere.

In the video above, I show you a few of the key features at Hockey Community, but you really have to go check it out yourself! Here’s the link:

http://hockey-community.com

This site is picking up steam fast, they’ve already been featured on CBC… check this out!!

You’re gonna love this site, check it out today!

Weiss

Technorati Tags: Alex, Developer, Gonna Love, Hockey Community, Hockey Future, Hockey Organization, Hockey Players, Rec Hockey, Staple, Steam