This Hockey Plus Minus App for iPad is a Fast and Easy Way to Track Plus Minus During Games!

Anybody who follows my blog knows I’m a huge believer in using technology to enhance hockey coaching. I recently came across an iPad app that I’m really excited about… it’s called Hockey Plus Minus.

If you check out the app store, you’ll see there are a number of hockey stat apps that have begun cropping up, some are really complex with the ability to track tons of different stuff, some are extremely simple, and only track a few things. With all the different options out there, I figured I’d take the chance to throw in my 2 cents worth on the subject.

Here are three questions you should ask yourself before picking a mobile stat tracker:

What do you want to track?

You can get REALLY in depth with your stat tracking, or you can stay pretty basic. Higher level teams need a lot more depth in their tracking (hits, faceoffs won, shots on goal and shot locations, etc.), younger teams don’t need to dedicate as much time and effort into stat tracking––in my opinion.

What is already being tracked?

Obviously, an app that tracks goals and assists will be redundant, since that’s already being tracked on the game sheet. Some leagues require the score keepers to track shots on goal as well. I don’t care about wasting time and effort tracking things that are already being tracked.

Who will be tracking the stats?

If you, as the coach, are planning on tracking the stats yourself from the bench, you’ll need an interface that is clean and simple, that requires little time to input each event. This is the main reason I love this Hockey Plus Minus app. The interface is simple, and I can enter in the info quickly, with minimal effort.

Conclusion:

As a coach, Plus Minus is the main stat I prefer to keep control of. The real strength of Plus Minus is what it shows over the course of a season, so if it is inconsistently tracked, its useless and might as well not be tracked at all. This app makes it really easy to track it consistently.

There are a few suggestions I’d make to the developers of this app as they roll new versions out:

1. add the ability to view, select, and edit by individual goal (if you made a mistake and need to change it)
2. add the ability to see the score
3. add the ability to export a report into an excel doc

Hope this app comes in handy for you,

Cheers!

Jeremy

Technorati Tags: Apps, Assists, Believer, Bench, Blog, Coach, Conclusion, Game Sheet, Games, Hockey Plus Minus, Interface, Ipad, Little Time, Love, Minimal Effort, Score Keepers, Shots On Goal, Stat Tracker, Using Technology, Wasting Time

Here’s Another One of my Favorite Hockey Passing Drills

I love this hockey passing drill because it just flows well––especially when you have the right group of players for it. At it’s best, this is a quick-paced, “tic-tac-toe” type of drill. However, if you have the wrong group of players, this drill will grind to a halt pretty quickly. So, just make sure your players are advanced enough before attempting this one!

Enjoy!!

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the Spice Figure 8 Passing Drill

Technorati Tags: Burkhart, Figure 8, Hockey Drill, Hockey Drills, Love, Passing Drills, Pdf, Spice, Tic Tac Toe, Wrong Group

The Window Drill is one of my staples for working on hockey crossovers with youngsters

I love the Window Drill for a few reasons: It’s easy to set up, easy to execute, you can run it half ice, and it’s extremely effective for working on hockey crossovers!

As you run this drill with your team, make sure you emphasize that the players MUST keep their feet moving throughout the entire “window.” Also, teach them to use puck protection tactics as they execute their crossovers.

Enjoy!!

CLICK HERE for a PDF of the Window Drill

Technorati Tags: Crossovers, Drill Team, Love, Pdf, Staples, Youngsters

4-Pass Hockey Warm-up Drill: Recorded, Edited, and Posted from my iPhone!

Hey folks!! I’m pretty excited about this post. Not because the drill is all that earth-shattering (although it is a great little drill!), but because I produced the ENTIRE thing from my iPhone!! I love my iPhone, and happened to find a really nice little drill diagraming app called Play Board XT.

After messing around with it a bit, I thought… “hey, it would be really cool if I could record myself showing a drill on here!” So, I did a little digging, and a little “finagling,” and figured out a way to make it all happen… pretty cool technology I’d say!!

IMPORTANT: So, if you’re interested in purchasing Play Board XT, make sure you get the ICE HOCKEY version (they offer it in multiple sports). If you want to eliminate any confusion CLICK HERE, and it’ll take you straight to the right one.

Enjoy!!!

Jeremy

Technorati Tags: Apps, Confusion, Cool Technology, Earth, Email, Finagling, Hey, Hockey Drill, Ice Hockey, Iphone, Love, Multiple Sports