Wednesday Drill of the Week: Tiger Transition

A full ice transition drill.

The drill starts with the three F’s (in black O’s in the neutral zone) attacking the offensive zone 3v0. They attack the blue line, make a play behind the net and then get a shot.

The as the O forwards attack the net, the X players (green lines) step out and simulate a neutral zone regroup (started by the coach). The O defensemen gap up and play a 3v2 rush vs the X forwards with the X D joining.

After the O forwards get a shot on net, they backcheck the play into defensive zone coverage. Now the X’s and the O’s play 5v5 in zone.

The drill creates a transitional sequence offensively (neutral zone play) and defensively (backchecking from a shot on net). It forces the players to play in situations that arise naturally in a hockey game and make the correct reads and decisions.

Wednesday Drill of the Week: Yale 2v1 Series

A different format for this weeks drill. We use an iPad app called Educreations to share things with our players. You can view this weeks drill here.

This is a 2v1 quick hitter series and is continuous. Forwards should focus on quick attacks, getting to the net. Defensemen need to have good sticks and awareness, being ready to clear rebounds and eliminate secondary threats.

Scoring Goals (Video)

On Saturday, I linked to a highlight video showcasing the goals scored in Game 2 of the Rangers/Canadiens series.

I took a more indepth look at that video today – check out the full breakdown here: https://youtu.be/R4mpDoFw03A

Scoring Goals

Last night’s game between the Rangers and the Canadiens was a clinic on how to score goals and generate offense in today’s game. You want to score more? Watch what these pros do, where they go and how these goals are scored: https://www.nhl.com/video/recap-nyr-3-mtl-4-fot/t-288491810/c-51451403

Wednesday Drill of the Week: 2v2 Net Jump

A small area game this week that encourages transitional play and strong defensive positioning.

In this diagram, the O’s are attacking the net on the right, the X’s are attacking the net on the left. The rotation of the game is offense, defense, done. You are introduced into the game with a pass from the defensive players – in this diagram, the defensive O’s pass to the next two players in line who then go on offense.

The rules: you have to cross the center line with the puck (middle of the net) before you can attack the net offensively – it can either be a pass or skate. Defensive players have to backcheck to the crease before they can defend. This gives the offensive team an opportunity to attack quickly and teaches the defensive team to defend from the netfront out.

The game plays 2v2 with the teams keeping the play going – the defensive players pass to their line, the players who were on offense go to defense and two new players step out and attack, crossing the mid line before they try to score.

Why I Coach: Relationships

There are many reasons why I coach. Probably too many to get into all of them. This morning, I had reason to pause and consider one of them while responding to an email from someone I’ve known for over 10 years – and only because of the sport of hockey.

After my freshman year of college I seized an opportunity to work at a hockey camp in Nisswa, Minnesota – Minnesota Hockey Camps. Since that summer, I’ve spent 9 summers in the Brainerd Lakes Area as either a counselor or a coach, coaching, mentoring and working with young people from all areas of the country. Anyone who’s ever spent time at MHC will tell you it’s a very special place filled with special people.

One of the people that I met there is now playing college hockey on the East Coast. We got to know each other through MHC, first working as counselor & camper, then as co-workers at the camp as we aged. When it came time to look at colleges, she asked me for some schools to look at, as she was considering going somewhere out east. I was someone from outside of the normal circles and someone who had experience in other parts of the country. I value the experience of moving away from home and meeting new people, as it was a huge part of my growth and development as a young man and something that I think has immense benefits.

Yesterday, I received an email from her. Last week I ran into her men’s coaches and asked about her and how she was doing. It was so cool to hear how happy she was, how much she was enjoying her experience and she was thankful for my help in finding a college. She has had a good career with a growing program and helped them find new levels of success. To read that email and know that I had an impact on her life is a very special feeling and one you don’t get after a game.

As a coach, you impact many people’s lives on a daily basis but you don’t always truly know the impact of your words and actions. The ability to motivate, inspire and mentor young people is an opportunity and responsibility that coaches have every day and one that is often taken far too lightly. Meetings may only last for 15 minutes, practices for an hour and games for two, but these relationships that we build can last a lifetime.

The impact of that email that I read this morning cannot be understated – it hit me at a time when I needed it most (as these things usually do) and helped to remind me of one of my core values as a coach. Relationships. Building, maintaining and cultivating relationships is at the very core of who I am and what I do. Why do I coach? Because of the email that I see

Why do I coach? Because of the email that I receive from an old friend thanking me for my influence in her life.

The Difference a Minute Makes

Amazing the difference one minute can make in the world huh? At 11:59pm we’re talking about all the good and bad things that happened in 2016, and then all of a sudden at 12:00am we’re talking about all the things that we will (or won’t) accomplish in 2017.

And it all happened in the span of 60 seconds.

Imagine if all the minutes in your life had that same impact? What if we could completely change our outlook on the future in the next 60 seconds? Produce an optimism and excitement about what’s next rather than dwelling on what happened?

Every minute of your life you make choices. You make the choice to focus on the past or on the future. The choice to build positive or negative habits. You make a choice to take action or live with regret. Every 60 seconds in your life can have the same impact of 11:59pm on New Years Eve.

Happy New Year – may 2017 be a year full of minutes that make a difference.

8 Coaching Mistakes I Wish I Never Made

We all make mistakes. Players, coaches, people. The best thing we can do is learn from others and recognize potential mistakes before they happen.

A great article with some timely reminders for a Monday morning:

8 Coaching Mistakes I Wish I Never Made

Wednesday Drill of the Week: Bandits Backcheck

A backcheck/transition drill this week.

The drill starts with five O players stationary – two F’s below the goal line, one high F3 and two D on the blueline. X starts with the puck on the half wall.

On the whistle, X takes off with the puck. The D play the rush while F3 backpressures the puck carrier (or however you structure your backchecks). Either the D or F3 angle the puck carrier into the wall and force a turnover while the other player retrieves the puck and quickly transitions it up ice to either F. The defensive team then transitions to a 3v0 attack on net (D join the play).

To add another element to the drill, place two defensive D down low with the forwards below the goal line for a 3v2 offensive attack.

I really like this drill as a transition, gap, reattack game scenario for all players involved.

Why I Love Cooking

When you cook, you can’t really do anything else.

There is no multi-tasking, no multiple internet windows, no phone calls, no emails. Just you and the food.

Cooking requires concentration, focus and single-mindedness. Otherwise you might use a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon. You might overcook the onions. You could skip a step.

I love cooking because I get fully into what I’m doing and forget everything else. It’s hard to say that cooking is stress free, as getting everything to be ready at the exact same time takes preparation, foresight and experience. When I cook, I reduce my overall stress level as everything else goes out the window.

I don’t cook nearly as much as I should, but I did start today by preparing some pulled pork for a dinner tonight with my defensemen. A great way to kick off the week, although I’m not sure I advise chopping an onion before 6:30 in the morning…