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 about how I’d make either mental notes (or more often, written ones) as I observed my young Mighty Mites at play.

Anyway, over one short stretch early in a long ago season I noticed that those little guys needed more help with their stability.  Oh, they were only 4- to 7-years old, and they were just beginners, so they’re expected to take their spills (even if someone opens a door to allow a gust of wind to knock them down — ).

Still, there are cures for such things.  And, while I was able to fall back on a couple of my old standbys for this problem, I’d have invented something if it had come to that.

Now, I’m going to save another drill until I can get some footage to show you.  In the meantime, let me show you an introductory body-checking drill I call “Boards Bumps”.

To the right you can see my little guys moving very close to the boards.  They are actually coasting along and periodically bumping against the boards.  The idea is to allow them to gain the feel of bumping — or being bumped.  They’d usually wobble a little with each bump, and they’d sometimes even fall.  But again, the idea is to give them repetitive opportunities to “feel” the bumps, and to learn how to adjust to each.

A little at a time, they learned to spread their skates slightly (for a wider base), and to sit a little lower (for a lower center of gravity).  We coaches constantly reminded them to do those things as they passed by us, and we’d also constantly remind them to keep two hands on their sticks with their sticks down on the ice.

You should know that there is/was a lead-up drill to the one you’re going to see here.  In that one, each player stood next to the boards, assumed a good strength posture, and then bumped the boards 5-times.  After resting for a few seconds, each player would then turn and bump the boards with his or her other shoulder.  And, on their own, the kids would continue to do that as we coaches moved among them to provide feedback.

As an FYI…  The described drill can be done off-ice and at home, in the event a parent wants to help his or her child behind the scenes.  There’s nothing better than to have your own young one (or older one) being the only player standing after an on-ice collision.

Okay, now that you have the gist of it, let’s take a look at the kids on the move.  Notice that they’re just getting the hang of this — actually, all of them are at different levels right now, mainly because they vary so much in age or experience…

Finally, I’d like to remind you again about our need to constantly troubleshoot the problems our kids are having.  And, if ever you have any difficulties solving a problem, well…  That’s why you have me here.

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