Every coach collects drills — books, videos, binders full of them. I’ve got hundreds myself. But no drill library is ever enough, because every team is different and players’ needs change quickly. That’s why the best coaches don’t just use drills… they create them…
With mental toughness always being a key to solid hockey play, we’re thrilled to once again present Shawnee Harle’s monthly insights into that area. And, in this video, she addresses an obvious concern with “Negative Self-talk”!
One of the biggest frustrations for youth hockey coaches, players, and parents is watching a team struggle to execute clean breakouts even after spending plenty of practice time working on them. Coaches draw the breakout on the whiteboard, players skate through the drill over and over, and everything looks smooth during practice. Then game day arrives, the opposing team applies pressure, and suddenly the breakout falls apart…
In today’s era of over coaching, helping athletes become independent decision-makers (and not making them play like robots) may be one of the most valuable skills a coach can develop…
Modern off-ice training has changed a lot over the last decade, and many parents, coaches, and players are still trying to figure out what actually works. The good news is that effective hockey off-ice training is often much simpler than many people think. The goal is not to turn a young player into a professional athlete overnight.
Across youth hockey, coaches, parents, and league organizers are noticing a growing problem. Fewer kids want to play goalie. In many areas, teams struggle to find a dedicated goaltender, and some organizations are forced to rotate players through the position just to get through a season. This trend has created what many people are calling a goalie crisis…
Long before video became common in youth hockey, I discovered how slowing plays down, freezing frames, and studying movement could reveal things the naked eye simply can’t catch in real time.
Youth hockey continues to evolve every year, but one thing remains constant: strong communication between parents and coaches can make a huge difference in a player’s development and overall experience. As we move into 2026, many hockey organizations are encouraging families and coaches to take a fresh look at how they communicate with one another. The goal is simple. Create an environment where players can focus on learning, improving, competing, and enjoying the game without unnecessary stress or conflict
One of the most common challenges in youth hockey is teaching players to look up while handling the puck. Many young players become so focused on controlling the puck that they rarely notice what is happening around them. As a result, they miss open teammates, skate into pressure, and struggle to make smart decisions during games. Coaches often tell players to “keep your head up,” but for many kids, that instruction alone is not enough. Learning to scan the ice is a skill, and like every other hockey skill, it can be taught, practiced, and improved over time.
It happens all the time between the ages of 11 and 14. A player who was scoring goals, making teams, and gaining confidence can suddenly seem stuck. Their skating may stop improving as quickly. Their puck skills may look the same year after year. Their confidence may even begin to slip. Parents start wondering what happened. Coaches become concerned. Players often become discouraged. The truth is that this hockey development plateau is incredibly common, and understanding why it happens can help players continue growing instead of becoming frustrated.