The Ice Hockey Coach Newsletter

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MUSINGS FROM THE BENCH

Over the past two seasons, I was grateful for my time coaching the Yokohama Grits in the professional Asia League. As you can imagine, there was a significant language barrier. 

As coaches, we get used to delivering information in a way that we feel comfortable. In reality, athletes receive and process information in different ways. 

Some learn by doing, some by watching, others by seeing a drill drawn, some learn best by verbal communication.

Over my time in Japan, I was constantly challenged to find new ways to deliver information in a way that all of my athletes could understand. 

The following is a list of communication techniques that I found valuable:

1. Video - NHL, European and Asia League video including animations and drawings embedded into the presentation.

2. Body Language - This was a big one. Using my hands to explain, facial expressions and vocal tone.

3. Translated Documents - Anytime I felt that there may be a misunderstanding or when I needed to get more information across, I would develop a translated document specific to the information at hand.

4. Direct Translation - I was lucky to have some great leaders on our team that aided me in translating between periods, on the bench or at practice.

5. Individual Meetings - I used my assistant coaches to translate during meetings. I increased my frequency of meetings with athletes in-order to assess understanding and communication

6. Translation Apps - A must have tool!

In an atmosphere where everyone speaks the same language, these tools can still be utilized. Challenge yourself to deliver your coaching in different ways. Your athletes will thank you!

SYSTEM OF THE WEEK

OZ - Forecheck - F1 Hard On Puck, F2 Above Puck (Skinny Forecheck)

A relatively new addition to the forechecking arsenal. The “Skinny Forecheck” provides opportunity for players to read the play and forecheck with less structure.

1. F1 attacks puck carrier and engages in contact.

2. F2 reads contact and adjusts to collect puck or engage in battle. 

3. F3 stays high and reads puck position. If puck is taken by opposition, or if it changes sides, F3 engages puck carrier.

4. If F3 engages puck, F1 and F2 must get back above the puck and re-attack.

5. Cue - “Fs must be on the puck or above the puck”.

DRILL OF THE WEEK

Predators Forecheck 5v4-5v5

A good drill that provides an opportunity for a quick forecheck. This gives the coach an isolated situation to monitor and teach the forecheck.

1. 5 red players & 4 black players are moving in neutral zone. 

2. On coach whistle/dumped puck. 4 black players must try to skate puck out of the zone vs the 5 red forecheckers who are executing proper forecheck routes/sort outs vs black breakout

3. Let it play out for 20-30 seconds or until black skates puck out

4. Black then forechecks, red defends

5. Add - 5v5

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

PERFORMANCE ARTICLE OF THE WEEK

5 Myths About Confidence

From - “Positive Performance” Blog