IN THIS ISSUE
Coaching at the Kitchen Table
14 Associations to Host Try Hockey For Free Events
How Do Our 8-Year-Olds Compare Physically to Kids in Other Countries?
When Should a Goalie Become a Full-Time Goalie?
Twin Bridges Streaks Toward Bright Future
Development Focus Fuels Cardinals
Video: Peas
Video: Patrick Kane: Sick Skills
Just for Coaches:
On- and Off-Ice Practice Plans
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Volume 3 Issue 10
October 31, 2016
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COACHING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE
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By Michael Rand, USA Hockey ~ It's been a busy day. After a full day at school, the kids had hockey practice afterward. You had meetings. Deadlines. Maybe you even had to cut out early to help coach that practice, and more work awaits after everyone else goes to bed. But you always try to make time for a family dinner - the one time of day everyone sits down in the same place. Sometimes it's hard, but you do it because you believe it's important. And so you sit down, after the long day, after the practice, and the first thing you think about doing is ... talking hockey?
Sure. When else are you going to squeeze in valuable lessons or share your passion for the sport? But maybe in your approach you're not thinking about the real message you might be sending, says Adam Naylor, a faculty member at Boston University and a sports psychologist who has worked with hockey families for more than 15 years. If your temptation and natural inclination is to coach your kids at the dinner table, Naylor has some tips and thoughts to help navigate the process. READ MORE>>
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14 ILLINOIS ASSOCIATIONS TO HOST TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE DAY EVENTS!
On Saturday, November 12th, USA Hockey and 500 local associations across the country will host Try Hockey For Free Day! Participating locations encourage kids, ages 4 to 9, to come try youth hockey as part of Come Play Hockey Month. All locations will have limited equipment available for use. Fourteen (14) Illinois associations, rinks and/or park districts will play host to Try Hockey For Free Day events. Click HERE to check out the Association THFF event nearest you! Help grow the game and spread the word about Try Hockey For Free Day! REGISTER NOW>>
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 HOW DO OUR 8-YEAR-OLDS COMPARE PHYSICALLY TO KIDS IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
By Guy "Goose" Gosselin, ADM Kids ~ While there are many fit 8-year-olds in the United States, unfortunately, as a whole, the fitness level of our American kids lags a bit behind what we see in other countries. Unlike our friends in Finland, for example, who strongly emphasize a healthy lifestyle, participation for all and a sporty culture at home and within their children's educational system, too often American culture and systems de-emphasize fitness. As a result, we're seeing our children's physical capabilities diminished. The reality is, in the U.S., physical fitness standards and recommended guidelines are widely varied and not guaranteed. READ MORE>>
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WHEN SHOULD A GOALIE BECOME A FULL-TIME GOALIE?
By Phil Osaer - ADM Goaltending Manager ~ Coaches and parents should be aware of a few things when asking this question about their son or daughter. First, players should not go to the rink and be a backup goalie ever before the age of 13. There is nothing fun about sitting on the bench for an entire game and then going home. Coaches should either allow one goalie to play another position for the game or split the crease-time between two goaltenders. Goalies can split the game in half, split each period in half or switch every three to four minutes. Remember that the goalie's experience each day is more important than the appearance of a goaltending pattern similar to what is seen in the NHL. Let them play. Let them develop. Let them be kids. READ MORE>>
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TWIN BRIDGES STREAKING TOWARD BRIGHT FUTURE
By Mike Scandura, USA Hockey ~ The Twin Bridges Lightning fit the official definition of what makes a USA Hockey Model Association, so it was appropriate the Lightning officially earned that status this past July. "We've committed to long-term development," said Lightning President Craig Duffy. "Our numbers have grown as we've learned about the American Development Model and communicated that information to our stakeholders. There is a direct correlation between the ADM and participation at various levels." Based in Troy, Illinois, near where the old paddlewheelers navigated the Mississippi River, Twin Bridges has moved full-steam ahead with player development. READ MORE>>
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DEVELOPMENT FOCUS FUELS CARDINALS
By Mike Scandura, USA Hockey ~ Minnesota's Alexandria Area Hockey Association launched a girls program in the late 1990s, around the same time that Alexandria Area High School started its varsity girls hockey team. The timing wasn't coincidence and the results have been a boon for both, thanks to dedicated volunteers who believed in building a principled program that would be a source of community pride. "When the high school team began, it prompted the youth program to start a girls program as well," said AAHA President Kent Kopp. "We were lucky from the start that there were coaches who wanted a girls program. READ MORE>>
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CHECK OUT THESE GREAT VIDEOS!
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"Peas"
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"Patrick Kane - Sick Skills"
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PRACTICE PLANS FOR ON-ICE
Skating & Puck Control Skills
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PRACTICE PLANS FOR DRYLAND
Off-Ice Stick Handling - Wide Dribble
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Purpose: Focuses on skating and puck control skills. VIEW PLAN>>
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The Wide Dribble drill focuses on the expansion of reach and hand quickness while keeping hands and arms away from the body for proper technique.
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