Posts by CoachC
Why Players Lose Speed in Games (But Not in Practice)
One of the most frustrating things for hockey players and coaches to watch is a player who looks fast and confident in practice but suddenly seems slower and less effective during games. This is a common issue in youth hockey, and it often leaves players wondering what went wrong…
Read MoreHockey Drills Must Evolve
This might be the second most important teaching principle any hockey coach, parent, or player could ever know. But, let me take you back for a moment. Years ago, one of my old Physical Education professors warned us about a trap that coaches still fall into today. He’d say: “If you keep running the same drill over and over, you’re not teaching anymore — you’re just killing the clock.”
Read MoreThe New Debate: Should Youth Players Be Practicing More Without Pucks?
For years, most players have been told that the more time they spend with a puck on their stick, the better they will become. Stickhandling, passing, and shooting are all important skills, and they deserve plenty of attention. But as the game continues to get faster and more demanding, many coaches are starting to realize that players who move well without the puck often have a major advantage…
Read MoreMYTH #9: “You should always keep two hands on your stick.”
REALITY: One-hand control is essential in modern hockey. EXPLANATION: Reaching, poking, angling, and protecting space all require one-hand mobility.
Read MoreWhy Young Defensemen Struggle With Retrievals — And How to Train Them
While coaches spend a lot of time teaching breakouts, passing, and positioning, the moment of retrieving the puck is where everything begins. If a defenseman cannot get to the puck cleanly, handle pressure, and make a smart first decision, the entire play breaks down before it even starts.
Read MoreMYTH #8: “Passing is just about accuracy”
REALITY: Accuracy, deception, and timing score more goals than raw power.
EXPLANATION: Goalies stop hard shots they can see. They struggle with shots that change angle or arrive unexpectedly…
How to Teach Players to Read Stick Positioning (A Missing Modern Skill)
One of the most overlooked skills in modern hockey is the ability to read stick positioning. While players spend countless hours working on skating speed, shooting accuracy, and puck control, far fewer are taught how to recognize what defenders are doing with their sticks or how to use their own stick effectively. This is a key part of hockey IQ, and it often separates average players from those who consistently make smart, effective plays…
Read MoreDeveloping One World‑Class Skill — Part 2
Every player has a natural leaning — something they do a little better than the rest. The key is identifying that strength early and building it into something undeniable. In this episode, we break down the process of selecting the right skill, understanding what makes it valuable, and creating a training approach that actually sticks.
Read MoreDeveloping One World‑Class Skill — Part 1
Most players try to get better at everything all at once, and that’s exactly why so many of them never break through. In this episode, we look at the power of developing one world‑class skill — the kind of ability that changes how coaches see you, how teammates rely on you, and how opponents react to you.
Read MoreMYTH #7: “Shooting harder is the key to scoring.”
REALITY: Accuracy, deception, and timing score more goals than raw power. EXPLANATION: Goalies stop hard shots they can see. They struggle with shots that change angle or arrive unexpectedly.
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