How to Easily Create More Offense

How to Easily Create More Offense

Coaches' Corner
https://youtu.be/1uHE8dvTMDI As coaches, we often think of offense as what happens on the initial attack. We think in terms of support, creating width and depth, and we try to set up for multiple options. This is all fantastic, and important.  But the initial attack is just the first step. We also need to consider what happens if the initial attack doesn't result in a goal. Or, what should our setup look like when we regain possession after the forecheck?  This is where many youth teams get hung up.  Coach wants players attacking the net... right? And we're supposed to spread out... right? And Coach wants the players to go hard to the puck, even if it ends up in the corner... right?  Because of this, we often see a setup that…
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How to Destroy the “January Blues” in 3 Easy Steps

How to Destroy the “January Blues” in 3 Easy Steps

Coaches' Corner, Philosophy
Here are 3 ways to spark excitement and motivation as you prepare for your playoff run!  These 3 tips have been huge for me… but as you’re going through this, I want to know… what would you add to this list? What things have you done to make sure your team finishes strong?  Drop your own advice in the comments below! Before we dive straight in, I want to make sure you know what I mean by “January blues…”  I’m sure you’ve experienced this at some point, either as a player, coach, or parent.  The season starts, and everyone is pumped up and full of energy… “it’s gonna be a great year!” Teams are picked, development is looking good, you have your first tournament or two… whether you’re winning or…
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Providing “Token” Pressure

Providing “Token” Pressure

Coaches' Corner, Philosophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPJUatjve18 Understanding Token Pressure can be a Game Changer in your Development Drills In working with youth hockey players, I often end up working with a wide range of coaches; some of which are more experienced than others. A common mistake I see in less experienced coaches is providing the wrong kind of pressure in development drills. Sometimes this means too much pressure, sometimes it means pressure from the wrong angle, or pressure with the wrong timing. In any respect, the wrong type of pressure can change the entire nature of a drill. For example, if a drill is designed to work on puck protection, with the puck carrier driving the net, the pressure needs to come from a side angle, or even slightly from behind. The player needs to…
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Which Ice Marker Works Best?

Which Ice Marker Works Best?

Coaches' Corner, Useful Products
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTgLSpV470g I've Tested A LOT of Ice Markers... Here are my Favorites! In a recent video I mentioned using an ice marker to help place players in the right starting position in a certain drill. The video sparked a few questions about which markers I like best. So I thought I'd do a quick video reviewing the ones I've used! Ways I use Markers in My Coaching Using markers on the ice has become standard practice for me, especially since more and more of my practices have become station-based. I use markers in many different ways, including the following: Marking the start point of a drill (where to line up)Which direction to turn around a cone or other obstacleDesignating a receiving zone for passesDrawing a crease if we need to…
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Drill Design for Hockey Coaches: How to Modify Drills to Fit Skill Capacity and Space Constraints

Drill Design for Hockey Coaches: How to Modify Drills to Fit Skill Capacity and Space Constraints

Coaches' Corner, Philosophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qOVOe-OMYc "I'm a new coach. I played at some pretty high levels, including pro. Now I'm a dad, looking to coach my kids. I have lots of drills, but they're too advanced for the group I'm working with... I'm having a hard time scaling them down to the skill level of my team; and we're sharing ice too, so I need to downsize the drills for a half-ice or station setting." I received this in an email from a coach a couple of weeks ago. Modifying drills for less experienced players, or downsizing drills to fit in smaller spaces can be tricky. It definitely takes some trial and error, and can often push us outside our comfort zones. I've actually been functioning in this state of "discomfort" for the past…
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