running an effective hockey practice

Copyright © 2009 Millennium Hockey Development. All rights reserved. Dave Berger, millenniumhockeydevelopment.com

Millennium Hockey Development Presents

Coaches WorkshopJanuary 24, 2009

IceWorks Skating ComplexAston, PA

“RUNNING AN EFFECTIVEHOCKEY PRACTICE”


Evolution of a Practice Coach


Practice Coaches Primary Goals

CHALLENGE Players EDUCATE PlayersFUN for Players

SUCCESS!


Practice Coaches Secondary Goals

Maximize Player PotentialAchieve Measurable ResultsCreate Positive Environment


Practice Coaches Role

Planner & OrganizerTeacher & CommunicatorMotivator & SalesmanPsychologist & PhysicianLeader & Disciplinarian


Good if you’re a pirate?

“The beatings will continue until the morale improves!”

Bad if you’re a hockey coach.Adam H. Naylor, EdD, AASP-CC

Sport Psychology Coach www.telos-spc.com


Practice CoachesPrimary Characteristics

PreparationOrganizationHard WorkSacrificeDisciplineCommitment


Practice CoachesSecondary Characteristics

Enthusiastic, Energetic, & PositiveStrong Belief In Value Of Practice

WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU HAVE COACHED

Team OrientedConvey Consistent MessageTheory Into PracticeGood-natured & HumorRelationship Builder


Practice Coaches Primary Responsibility

Arrive EarlyBe Upbeat & PositiveBe Well Organized & Prepared

Technically & TacticallyGreet Players By NameEnsure Overall Success

Know Team Strengths & Weaknesses


Assistant Coaches Practice Role

Fully informed of practice planActive role in design

Keenly aware of goals & objectivesInvolved in planning & running practiceEmotionally attached to practice

EmpowermentEngaged in drill delivery


Players Practice Primary Responsibility

CommitmentHard WorkSacrificeDiscipline


Players Practice Secondary Responsibility

BE ON TIME, ALL THE TIME!Effort, Energy, & EnthusiasmDrill Execution & TempoIntensity, Concentration, & Focus


Value of Organized Practice

Players can’t expect to be organized, if coach isn’tWell designed practices eliminates standing around, wasted ice, keeps everyone active & engagedDevelops a sense of respect & responsibility from playersChallenges, strengthens, & nourishes playersKids enjoy practice when they have fun & experience overall improvement in their skillsBuild a strong foundation by emphasizing basics & fundamentals

Players Don’t Attend Practice To Watch Others Practice


Practice Drills - Design

Line combinations, defensive pairings, jersey colorsCore of drills with names (debatable)Designed with specific purpose & intentChallenging, educational, & contributes to objectives.Simulate & replicate game situationsIncorporate “Progression Drills” (> speed, + resistance, 2nd/3rd effort, extra passes, competition, stop at net)Force players to develop their skills in adverse conditionsAppropriate rest between reps so best chance of drill successEffectively use smaller areas of ice for PSD’s & teaching


Practice Drill Explanation

Communication is essentialGain attention immediatelyClear & concise; Age-specific explanationMaintain eye contactCue Words/Short Terms…focus on 1-3 pointsAssume players need to understand concepts & techniques


John Wooden Drill Process

DICR• DEMONSTRATION

- Understand Pattern• IMITATION

- Execute• CORRECTION

- Adjustment• REPETITION

- Make Excellence A Habit


Practice Drill In-Progress

ExecutionChallenging drills executed poorly are useless

Effort, Concentration, & Correct TempoCoaches Active

Audibles – Authoritative VoiceInstructionsEncouragementPositive & Specific Feedback Imperative

Corrections & Adjustments

“Tell me & I’ll forget, show me & I might remember, involve me & I’ll understand”


Post Practice Plan Analysis

Evaluate success of drills, did they achieve skill set?Too easy or difficult

Overall objectives met?Unsuccessful drills…why?What player(s) and/or team weaknesses exposedAny special preparation needed for next practice

When player interest is high, learning rate increases & practices are more successful:

Routines become dangerous & cause players to pace themselves & become boredChange [warm-up] drills & encourage creativity


Practicing by the Numbers

EACH GAME:Players will have puck on stick for an average of 10+/- seconds

80% of all individual puck possessions last 3+/- secondsPlayers will take an average of 2+/- shots99% of coaches feedback given when players have puck, ironically players only have puck on stick for 2%+/-

EACH PRACTICE:One (1) efficient practice will give players more skill development than 10+/-games collectivelyEach player should have puck on stick for minimum of 10+/- minutes every practiceEach player should have a minimum of 25+/- shots on goal per practiceNo more than 5+/- minutes spent in front of chalk board each practice

60‐Minute Game VS 60‐Minute Practice


“The first lesson to be learned by the aspiring athlete is the value of practice. Practice is the beginning and the end of excellence –The fundamental secret of improvement.”

Bob Johnson, USA Hockey

“Practice without improvement is meaningless”

Chuck Knox, Head NFL Coach

Practice, Practice, Practice


Coaches Resources

Drill Websites:www.hockeycanada.ca , www.coachesclub.ca , www.ahcahockey.com , www.epuck.com , www.drillsetc.com , www.hockey-drills.com ,www.flexxcoach.com/learningcenter , www.icehockeysystems.com ,

www.rogerneilsonshockey.com/tow.html , www.passhockey.comBooks:

They Call Me Coach, John WoodenCoaching The Mental Game, H.A. DoorfmanThe Wisdom Of Teams, Katzenback & SmithHockey Canada, www.hockeycanada.ca/

Videos/ DVD’s:Championship Productions, Inc., www.championshipproductions.com/Hockey Canada, www.hockeycanada.ca/

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