Open up Passing Options by Crossing Through Lanes

When I was a kid, my first coach (NOT MY DAD) took me a side one day, and drew two lines down the middle of a rink diagram. He then taught me that “the right winger stays on the right side, the left winger stays on the left side, and that the centerman mostly stays in the middle, but can help out if a winger needs him…”

HOW FAR THE GAME HAS COME SINCE THEN!!!

Today’s hockey is much more dynamic, with players interchanging positions constantly––especially in the offensive zone. I like this more “European” style of play, and I think it is much more effective at opening up passing options and scoring chances.

My general philosophy is to let structured, positional assignments govern defensive zone play, and concepts such as timing, support, and triangulation govern neutral and offensive zone play. This allows forwards to be creative within a framework in the offensive zone.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Coach, Dad, Defensive Zone, European Style, Game, Offensive Zone, Options, Philosophy, Winger, Zone Play

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

YOU’RE INVITED… REGISTER TODAY!!

Most competitive teams do some sort of pre-season training camp to ensure that the players are primed and ready to go as soon as the season starts. This is great, and I’m a firm believer in this strategy!

Coaches must come to training camp with a plan, a goal, and a purpose if they intend to have any form of success during the regular season.

We have developed a FREE Specialized Online Training Course for Hockey Coaches, that will give them a chance to think about, and plan their seasons so they can hit the ground running come training camp.

The course will last 2 weeks and will be done via blog posts with videos, written instruction, and downloads.

Here are a few of the topics we’ll be discussing:

• Coaching Philosophy
• Defensive Zone Coverage
• Breakouts
• Offensive Attack Options
• Forechecking
• Regroups and Neutral Zone Play
• Special Teams

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT OUR COACHES TRAINING COURSE TO ENTER!

We would love to have you participate with us. The Training Course is FREE (just sign up below), and we are even giving away a few cool prizes for folks who help spread the word––including a free DrillDraw Pro license (the software I use to create all my videos) valued at $149!

UPDATE:

We just received word that Shooter Tutor is donating one of their “substitute goalies” for the giveaway (a $165 value)… so now we’ll be able to select TWO lucky winners (your odds just went up!)

I’ve been a HUGE fan of the Shooter Tutor since I was a kid. We had one set up in our yard during the summers and I spent endless hours shooting pucks with my buddies. When I started up my hockey school, the first thing I invested in was two Shooter Tutors… and they’ve lasted for years under intense use!!

Owning at least one Shooter Tutor is a must for any hockey coach.

UPDATE:

I couldn’t resist… I’m adding my own product to the giveaway. We’re throwing in an S3 Formula membership as our third prize (VALUED AT $147). The S3 Formula is my web-based strength and conditioning program, designed specifically for hockey players. We have players from all over the globe participating in the S3 Formula, and now you’ve got a chance to join in the action and get an incredible advantage over your opponent this year!

Our users have already had some phenomenal results using this program… check out this before and after shot of our buddy Nate Hymas (S3 user).

So, we have 3 prizes up for grabs now… we’ll pick our 3 winners on July 12th to kick off our Coaches Training Course. If you haven’t entered the giveaway yet, check out the instructions below!

HERE’S HOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY (YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL 3 STEPS TO QUALIFY):

1. Register for the Training Course using the form below
2. Email (and copy me on the email for verification info@weisstechhockey.com) at least 5 of your favorite hockey friends about this course (your coaching staff is a great place to start). Send them to this post so they know what the course is all about.
3. Stay tuned for the drawing on July 12th, the first day of our training course!

Talk soon!

Jeremy

Technorati Tags: Buddies, Coach, Coaches Training, Coaching Philosophy, Defensive Zone, Drawing, Email, Email Verification, Endless Hours, Firm Believer, Form Email, Goalies, Hockey Coach, Hockey Coaches, Hockey Friends, Hockey School, Lucky Winners, Neutral Zone, Offensive Attack, Options, Philosophy, Pre Season Training, Prizes, Pucks, Register, Running Camp, Running Training, Shooter, Specialized, Specialized Training, Standpoint, Submission, Training Camp, Tutor, Tutors, Verification Info, Videos Downloads, Zone Coverage

The inside mohawk is a very versatile power skating maneuver. Here are a few simple drills.

It can be used while shooting, deking, pivoting, slipping checks… the options are limitless. Players who become proficient with the mohawk will find themselves performing it instinctively in games.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Checks, Games, Hockey Drills, Mohawk, Options, power skating, power skating drills, Skating Maneuver