A Coach’s Notebook

The Hockey Book Lab

By CoachC | November 22, 2024
The Hockey Book Lab

Your Ideas, Our Next Book! We’re excited to announce a brand-new feature here at CoachChic — the Hockey Book Lab! This is your chance to shape the future of hockey literature. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, we know you have unique insights into what’s needed in the world of hockey training, strategy, or…

Help Your Kids With Mental Toughness

By CoachC | November 20, 2024

Of course, mental toughness is super-important in hockey, and that’s why we’re always thrilled to have Shawnee Harle present her insights in this area, this time suggesting members should “Help Your Kids With Mental Toughness”. If you like Shawnee’s presentation — or if you have any questions for her, please comment below.

“Read” and “React” Skills

By CoachC | November 18, 2024
“Read” and “React” Skills

I usually hate the crazing terms that arise in hockey coaching circles, because most of them hardly describe the technique or principle they’ve been applied to.  That, however, isn’t the case with the expressions “read” and “react”. To me, “reading” a play is a mental skill, and it also requires a high degree of alertness. …

Is Your skater Fueling for Success on the ice?

By CoachC | November 16, 2024

Kim’s passion is showing youth ice hockey parents how to create simple and easy meals to help their skater’s increase their speed and stamina on the ice.

Beginner Boards Bumps

By CoachC | November 13, 2024
Beginner Boards Bumps

A lot of this piece is really about troubleshooting, because it’s such a huge part of what we coaches and parents have to do for the sake of our young players. Actually, I’ve always been constantly on the lookout for problems in my kids’ games (no matter their age).  And, I’ve mentioned often to you…

Breaking Down Hockey Strategies

By CoachC | November 11, 2024
Breaking Down Hockey Strategies

You need to be logged in to view this content. Please Log In. Not a Member? Join Us

Hockey Smarts = Ice Time!

By CoachC | November 9, 2024
Hockey Smarts = Ice Time!

As many of you might know by now, I once ran 2-teams under the New England Hockey Institute banner.  The high school guys were with me from late-May until Thanksgiving (when the local school teams began), and my junior high school aged kids were with me for almost 11-months. For sure, I did a lot…

Reversed Grip on a Draw

By CoachC | November 4, 2024
Reversed Grip on a Draw

One night I happened to notice one of my centermen reversing his lower hand on his stick just before moving in to take a face-off.  I’m sure you know what I mean…  He switched his lower hand in the opposite direction, supposedly to gain more strength for pulling the puck rearward. The good part of…

A Coach’s Guide to Thinking Like a Scientist

By CoachC | October 30, 2024
A Coach’s Guide to Thinking Like a Scientist

As a hockey coach, your goal is to help your players reach their full potential. One way to achieve this is by adopting a scientific approach to coaching. Just like scientists, coaches can benefit from curiosity, objectivity, evidence-based reasoning, and experimentation. By thinking like a scientist, you can make informed decisions about player development, team…

Games! Games! More Games!

By CoachC | October 28, 2024
Games! Games! More Games!

You need to be logged in to view this content. Please Log In. Not a Member? Join Us