Posts by CoachC
Teaching Smarter Line Changes to Prevent Odd-Man Rushes
Many players think line changes are just a routine part of hockey, something you do when you get tired, but the truth is that poor line changes are one of the biggest causes of odd-man rushes.
Read MoreThe Art of Changing Speed — Why Tempo Control Beats Constant Speed
Many young players are taught to skate as hard as they can all the time, believing that constant speed is the key to beating opponents. While skating speed is certainly an important hockey skill, experienced coaches and skilled players know that the real advantage often comes from something much more subtle. The ability to change speed at the right moment, sometimes called tempo control, can be far more effective than simply racing up and down the ice at full speed. Learning the art of changing speed allows players to become less predictable, more creative with the puck, and far more difficult for defenders to handle.
Read MoreWhere I Get Some Interesting Training Aids
Coaches are always looking for ways to help players learn faster, practice smarter, and enjoy the game more. While the basics of hockey — skating, passing, shooting, and positioning — will always be the foundation of player development, the right training aids can make teaching those skills much easier.
Read MoreHow to Train Players to Protect the Middle of the Ice in All Three Zones
One of the most important defensive habits in hockey is learning how to protect the middle of the ice, and I harped on that often as a higher level coach. Of course, coaches at every level talk about it, but young players often don’t fully understand what it means or why it matters so much. The middle of the ice is the most dangerous scoring area on the rink. It runs from the center lane in the neutral zone all the way to the slot and the front of the net in the defensive zone.
Read MoreTeaching Forwards How to Become Reliable in the Defensive Zone
While scoring is certainly important, strong teams know that the best forwards are also reliable in the defensive zone. A forward who understands defensive responsibility becomes far more valuable to a coach, a teammate, and the overall success of the team. Teaching forwards how to become dependable in their own end is one of the most important parts of youth hockey development, and it is a skill that builds smarter, more complete players.
Read MoreWhy Smarter Stride Training (and the Rhythm Bar) Helps Young Players Rise Above the Pack
A young hockey player can improve faster when he or she starts seeing the game as more than just skating hard and chasing the puck. High‑school athletes who separate themselves from the pack usually do it by understanding the deeper mechanics behind every stride, every pass, and every decision. When you begin to recognize how rhythm, timing, and body control shape your performance — and get to use the Skater’s Rhythm Bar, the game slows down in the best possible way.
Read MoreThe Role of Deception in Youth Hockey — Teaching Fakes, Look-Offs, and Shoulder Drops
Deception in youth hockey is the ability to make a defender believe you are going one way while you actually plan to go another. It includes simple but powerful tools like shoulder drops, look-offs, and subtle body fakes. When taught correctly, deception creates time and space, which are two of the most valuable assets in modern hockey.
Read MoreThe ‘Two‑Mistake Rule’ Every Player Should Know
Hockey is a fast, emotional, and unpredictable game. Even the best players in the world turn over pucks, miss assignments, and lose battles. Mistakes are built into the sport. The problem is not the first mistake. The real damage usually comes from the second one. That is why every young hockey player should understand what I call the “Two-Mistake Rule.”
Read MoreThe Real Reason Players Struggle With Backhand Shots
Most players don’t struggle with the backhand because they’re weak, unskilled, or afraid of the shot. They struggle because the backhand has quietly become one of the most neglected skills in modern hockey. Kids grow up firing forehands from every angle, but they almost never get the same number of touches, experiments, or repetitions on the backhand side. By the time they reach competitive levels, the backhand feels foreign, awkward, and unreliable…
Read MoreWhy Young Players Misread Pressure — And How to Fix It
Many young players panic the moment a defender skates toward them, even when they still have time and space to make a smart play. Others hold onto the puck too long because they fail to recognize that pressure is closing fast. Understanding why young players misread pressure — and how to fix it — is one of the most important steps in building true hockey IQ, better decision-making, and long-term player confidence.
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