Skaters Tips & Advice

The 3 P's

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Poise, Protection and Play-maker – a saying that all hockey players need to become familiar with. 

POISE
Don't panic when you get the puck on your stick. Cherish the time you have with the puck on your stick because you don't get it very often. Throughout the course of a hockey game the average player only has the puck on their stick for maybe a minute at the youth level and that number gets even smaller as you move up to the higher levels. The best way to avoid panicking with the puck is to give yourself time with it and know who is around you. To give yourself more time get to the puck with a sense of urgency – the quicker you get to it the more time you will have to make a play. Take a look over your shoulder every time you go to retrieve a loose puck. This will allow you to know who is around you and give you an idea of what to expect and do once you get the puck.

PROTECTION
Protect that little black biscuit. Once you get it know that the opposing 6 players on the ice want to take it away from you. Use your body to help protect it. ALWAYS keep your body between the puck and the opposing player. I always tell players to get it to their outside hip (the opposite side of your body in reference to the opposing player) and keep your feet moving. Also have a strong bottom hand on your stick. NO ONE should ever lift your stick and steal the puck from you without one heck of a fight. 

PLAY-MAKER
Once you get that puck look to make something happen. Look to head man the puck to one of your OPEN teammates. Be a threat when you get the puck in the offensive zone. Don't let the opposing team control where you go with the puck. Once you get a puck into the offensive zone your number one thought should be to get it to the NET with a shot or by you driving it to the net. Play tough hockey. Get into the scoring areas around the net if you want to be a difference maker for your team.

Alternating Edges

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The Single Leg Alternating Edge skill is very tough to work on but it is ABSOLUTELY essential to becoming a great skater.  Many of you go to stick and pucks and generally just kind of goof around. I still want you to have a good time at stick and puck but maybe the first 10 minutes and final 10 minutes of stick and puck try working on this drill. Trust me guys and gals if you try this you will struggle the first few times but stick with it and keep working on it. Click here to view the video on the USA Hockey website.
 
Coaches this is also a great drill to work on with your players. If you have a tough time demonstrating the drill, utilize myself to come out or we can get an older player to demonstrate.

Checking

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Checking from behind is without the question the single most dangerous part of hockey. The player with the puck and the player pursuing the puck carrier are both equally responsible. First off if you are going for a loose puck against the boards, be sure to go for the puck at an angle as opposed to straight at it towards the boards. Once you have the puck, be sure to skate with your head up. If you see pressure coming get close to the boards to help protect yourself from any contact that may occur. As the puck carrier you need to be EXTREMELY careful not to turn your back at the last second. Turning your back puts yourself in a dangerous position. Protect yourself, get close to the boards, brace for impact, and keep your legs driving through the hit.

If you are the player attacking the puck carrier and you see the other player’s number you have to STOP. Yes that is correct you stop. If you can, try to get around to the other side of the player (preferably the defensive side of the puck carrier) and then attack. Remember getting the puck is not more important than a fellow hockey player’s safety.

Checking from behind can often lead to very severe injuries that no one wants to see happen. Respect your opponent and work hard to get into the proper position to attack the puck carrier. If you only remember one thing, STOP WHEN YOU SEE AN OPPONENT’S NUMBERS – DO NOT HIT!!

The following clips do not specifically address hitting from behind, but it is something that I think everyone can use a little refresher on.

Video on Delivering a Body Check
Video on Receiving a Body Check

Five Puck Mobilty

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Five Puck Mobility is a simple drill that you can do during open skate, stick and puck, or drop in.  It is very easy to set up as well.  After watching and listening to Tyson Barrie describe the drill, go back and watch what his feet are doing.  I recommend that you try this drill without a puck for the first couple of times and then try to do it with a puck.  This is a great drill! 

Five Puck Mobility Video

NHL Playoffs 2011 -- DET vs PHO

I am not sure if many of you have been watching the Detroit and Phoenix series or the Vancouver and Chicago series.  These teams are playing some of the most incredible hockey that I can remember in a long time.  Both of these series encompass a little of everything.  The teams are skating extremely fast, moving the puck, finishing their checks, and making some incredible plays.  

Although it is incredible hockey, the players are only human and they do make mistakes.  Below is a link of Game 3 in the Detroit vs Phoenix series and the 6 goals that were scored.  Take a moment to watch the entire clip and see if you can see the breakdowns that led to each goal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfFTa_FXK7g

Here is how I what I saw in each of these goals:

1. Forecheck!!  Redwings forecheck HARD and and the first man on the puck or F1 does what?  TAKES THE BODY!  The hard work of the Redwing forwards creates the turnover and then the Redwings dont waste the opportunity and fire it at the net!
2. Coyote d-man rims the puck to no one but not hard enough to get it out of the zone.  Seems like a minor thing but the Redwings d-man just gets the puck to the net and it finds its way to the back of the net.  Also notice what the Redwings low forwards do.  They move from below the crease to the front of the net to create traffic in front of the Coyotes goalie.
3. What is the centermen's job on a faceoff after he wins or loses the draw?  Cover the other CENTERMAN!!!  On this goal the Coyotes centerman chases the puck (where he already had a d-man on it).  Where did the Redwings centerman go?  He moved towards the slot ends up getting the puck and scoring the goal.  Centermen need to cover the opposing centerman always.
4. The Coyotes d-man takes the ice that is given to him and moves closer to the net making himself a threat.  Two Coyote forwards crash the net opening up the ice for their d-man to walk into and also create chaos in front of the Redwing goalie.  Of course you have to acknowledge the great shot taken by the Coyote d-man.
5. Oh boy!!  Coyotes start the period lackadaisical again.  The first and last 2 minutes of every period are very important in establishing momentum.  The Coyotes gave up 2 goals in basically the first 2 minutes of the first period and 1 goal in the first minute of the third period.  The Coyote d-man is a couple of feet from the red line with the puck and needs to do one of two things.  Get it to his forward 15 feet in front of him or get the puck behind the Redwings d-man.  Instead the Coyotes d-man turns the puck over just inside the Redwings blue line and gets caught flat footed and gives up a break away.  There are two places on the ice that you never want to turn the puck over.  10 feet on either side of both blue lines are areas where you just cannot turn the puck over or else it could end up in the back of your net as you see on this goal.
6. Coyote forwards CRASH the net HARD opening up a seam through the high slot because they push the Redwing d-men back on top of their goalie.  The Coyotes then make a great heads up pass and get the puck to the net and get a great bounce created by hard work and execution.

I guess what I am trying to point out here is that even the best players in the world make mistakes.  If you are going to watch the games enjoy them, but try to use them as a learning tool.  Try to anticipate where the puck will go, try to figure out the breakdowns on the goals, and try to see the great plays that led to the goal.  It is a great way to learn.

Offseason Work

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When the season is over I field many questions about summer camps, how many, and what camps should a player do. Preparing for hockey is very similar to working out. You want to push your body the appropriate amount in order to keep it stimulated and growing without pushing it too hard risking the chance of over training your body and doing more damage than good. If your son or daughter wants to play spring lacrosse, baseball, or soccer -- LET THEM.

Playing other sports is a great way for your son or daughter to build on their athleticism and to be a good hockey player you most definitely need to be a darn good athlete (unless you are a goalie, KIDDING MORGAN!) Encourage your kids, especially at a young age, to try other sports and activities.

If your son or daughter wants to do a hockey camp, put them in one or two but please do not think that you have to keep your kid on the ice all day, every day in order for him or her to be prepared for the upcoming season. This is where the overtraining factor becomes a serious issue. The big problem that you risk is if your kid particpates in every camp west of the Mississippi this summer, then there could be complete burnout -- maybe not at the beginning of the season but more likely by Christmas.

Things that your son or daughter can do to help not only with their hockey game but with their overall athletic ability are simple little fitness exercises like push ups and sit-ups (http://www.m2hockey.com/training/pushup/). Hockey players need to be physically strong and doing a simple push up routine along with a good core routine will help immensely on the ice. Wrist curls with with either a light weight tied to an old hockey stick is great as well.

Other things that hockey players can do at home is shoot pucks, shoot pucks, and shoot more pucks. The more you shoot, the stronger your wrists get and in turn the better your passing and stick strength becomes. Stick handling drills can be done at home with a hockey ball, green biscuit, or even a golf ball. You can YouTube stick handling and numerous videos appear with some great drills, but to ultimately work on your stick handling all you need is a ball or puck, a stick, and one creative mind. Put your body in awkward positions and stances while handling your ball or puck. Be creative and have fun with it and you will definitely see an increase in your ability come next season.

Playing with a Lead

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As a team it is always nice to come out, work hard, and gain a lead on your opponent. Hard work is the key to establishing your team in any competition. It is also the most important part of keeping your lead. Once your teams get up on an opponent, everyone needs to stick with the game plan and what got your team the lead.

Think about it from your opponents standpoint. We have all been behind in a game and know that feeling. When you’re down by a goal or two you work that much harder and take that many more chances to do whatever you can to give your team a chance to fight back.

Now if you are the team with the lead, you need to know that your opponent is going to be coming at you that much harder and faster because they want to get back in the game as well. Be prepared to see your opponent fight and compete for everything on the ice. You and your teammates need to meet your opponent head on and stick with the game plan. And of course play until the last whistle.

DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED!!! PLAY UNTIL THE LAST SECOND RUNS OFF THE SCOREBOARD!!! Play Strong, Play Fast and be willing to go the extra mile for your teammates.

Playoffs Mentality

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The beauty of playoffs is that everyone is 0-0-0. What you did as a team up to playoffs time was only to secure a position. As a team you cannot go in thinking that it is going to be easy or impossible. You need to focus on the opponent that you will face and take it a shift at a time (I know one of the oldest cliches in hockey).

Remember that those butterflies you feel deep down in your belly are a good thing and that the team across the ice from you has those same feelings. Embrace those feelings and emotions and use them to drive you past your opponent. Believe in your teammates. Believe in yourself and know that your coaches have done everything they could to prepare you for this. Have fun, play loose, and do not fear making mistakes. But know that if you make a mistake, you will do everything you can to make up for it and not dwell on it. Be proud to put on your jersey and play with every ounce of energy and excitement you can find in your body. Enjoy the moment.

Oh ya (in reference to Coach Morgan Cey’s Playoff Mentality article)...please remember the Oilers and what a great franchise they are. They were a game away in 2006 but won it with a total team effort in 1989-90; 1987-88; 1986-87; 1984-85 and 1983-84.

Receiving a Pass

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The skill of receiving a puck is demonstrated by Hockey Legend Wendel Clark in a CBC feature.  One thing that I think all young hockey players struggle with more than anything is receiving passes on the fly and under control.  Many players including myself squeeze the stick to tight or simply don't have our our hands in the proper position.  

The clip below shows the "do's" in receiving a pass from another player.  For coaches watching the clip, this is a great drill for kids to do and get their hands warmed up as well as a little sweat on.  Have the kids break into groups of three and work them in 30 second intervals and then rotate amongst their group of three.

CBC Feature -- Receiving a Puck -- Wendel Clark

Dr. Steve Norris

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In November I was fortunate enough to be invited to coaching symposium. The keynote speaker Dr. Steve Norris was absolutely fascinating and thought provoking with his presentation. Dr. Norris is the lead sports scientist for the Canadian Winter Olympic Team and has done many years of research on the development of athletes through all the different growth faces.

Please, mom and dad, take the time to watch the video. It is long so get a snack and a few beers, but I truly believe you will find Dr. Norris' presentation very thought provoking and informative.

Stickhandling Skill

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This weeks tip is something that when I was growing up I would never have had a coach show or teach my team. Actually I think that if any of us attempted this sort of move we would have been yelled at. In today's game though having stickhandling skills like this proves to be invaluable. Take a look at the clip below and next time you are on the ice at a stick and puck or free puck time at the beginning of practice work on moves like this, and ultimately have fun with your stickhandling.

USA Hockey -- Skill of the Week (Back Hand Toe Drag)

Teamwork

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Teamwork is the actions of individuals brought together for a common purpose or goal, which subordinate the needs of the individual to the needs of the group (yourdictionary.com). In essence, each person on the team puts aside his or her individual needs to work towards the larger group objective.

Players come together to play a sport they love and be a part of a team. And as parents we should come together as a group of grownups to support our children and their efforts in achieving their goals. From the boys and girls in the locker room to the moms and dads in the stands we need to remember that we are all a part of a team. 

We should try to make our teammates better rather than look down at our teammates. Where we grew up those kids that were exceptional did not look down at their teammates but rather tried to pick them up and make them better. I can recall a couple of times when my dad laid into me for playing or acting selfishly. I can also remember one of my teammate’s dad absolutely giving it to his son for being selfish during a game – this player went on to represent Canada at the World Junior Championships and now plays in the NHL. 

Parents it is great to compliment your child and give positive feedback. From moms and dads, to brothers and sisters, to the players, we need to remind ourselves that hockey is a TEAM sport and we need everyone pulling the same direction.

Watching Professional Hockey

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When watching professional games, which team do you think did a better job at these three things regardless of score:

1. Control of emotions
2. Attention to detail
3. Execution (skill, positionally, and tactically)

Also think about the execution and defensive breakdown of each team's first goal. How the goal was scored -- thinking a little deeper than just saying they shot the puck into the net; where the did the play begin that the goal was scored on. On the defensive side think about the breakdowns that took place resulting in the puck ending up in the back of their net.

Work Ethic

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What are a few of the things that separate the best hockey players from the average hockey players?

Sure the great hockey players were born with genes that give them a great advantage but it is what those players do with their genes that make them great. Sidney Crosby did not just show up to practice and coast around waiting for the game to turn it on and show his stuff. He showed up to the rink EVERY TIME ready to outwork his opponent whether it be in practice or in games. Players like Crosby, guys that can do incredible things at incredible speeds in games practice that way! Is Crosby the biggest guy in the NHL? No. Is Crosby the fastest guy in the NHL? Not even close! Does Crosby shoot the puck the hardest? No way. Yes he has a ton of God given talent but he WORKS AT IT!!!

So the MOST important thing that will give you the best chance to become an exceptional hockey player is your work ethic. Work ethic is one of the greatest things in athletics because it takes no special skills but rather a mental commitment and willingness to push yourself to your limits even when a part of you is saying slow down. Sure Crosby is gifted but he also choose to not waste what he was given at birth and make the most of it by dedicating his effort every time he steps onto the ice. I am sure you all have seen him play hockey, but have you ever seen someone compete harder for a loose puck or in a 1-on-1 battle? So in that sense why can't you be your team’s Sid the Kid?

World Juniors 2011

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Perseverance, believing in one another, and sticking with the game plan: Three things every team needs to work on and maintain during the good times and tough times. These three things are what Russia did very well in the World Junior Hockey Championship final game. On the contrary these are three things that the Canadian team did very poorly.

Canada had a 3-0 lead going into the 3rd period and ended up losing 5-3!! Credit has to be given to the Russian kids. This team had been dominated for 2 periods and simply kept plugging away until they got their chance and capitalized. They stuck with their game plan and began getting chances and burying those chances. The Canadians on the other hand probably did the worst thing any team could do – they began to play like individuals. They were not taking care of the puck and making good decisions through the neutral zone. And they began only having one player pressure any dumped pucks because the other two players went and camped out in front of the net with the hopes of getting a puck and being the hero!

Stick with your coach’s game plan, continue working as a team, and ALWAYS be positive and supportive of your teammates if you want to finish off those close games with a victory!