A Coach’s Notebook
The New Science Behind ‘First Touch’ Skills for 2026
The latest hockey research and coaching methods for 2026 are putting even more attention on first touch skills because coaches now understand that the first second after puck possession is often the most important moment of an entire shift…
Read MoreAthleticism First
Hockey players often look for complicated ways to get better, but the truth is that real improvement usually starts with simple, foundational work…
Read MoreHow to Build Hockey IQ in Players Who Don’t Watch Games
Hockey IQ is much more than having quick hands or fast skating. It is the ability to read the play, anticipate what will happen next, make smart decisions under pressure, and consistently be in the right place at the right time…
Read MoreThe Truth About Shooting Mechanics: What Actually Improves Accuracy
Many players believe that shooting harder is the secret to scoring more goals, but experienced coaches know that accuracy usually matters much more than pure power…
Read MoreThe Hidden Mistakes in Summer Stickhandling Routines
Summer is one of the best times of the year for hockey players to improve their stickhandling skills. With no games to prepare for and fewer team practices, players finally have the freedom to spend extra time working with a puck, ball, or stick. Driveways, garages, basements, and outdoor training areas become personal hockey development centers. Many young players dream of returning to the ice in the fall with quicker hands, better puck control, and greater confidence. Unfortunately…
Read MoreDrill Creation
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…
Read MoreMy Coach Plays Head Games
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”!
Read MoreWhy Youth Teams Struggle With Breakouts — Even After Practicing Them
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…
Read MoreHow to Build Smarter Players in an Era of Over‑Coaching
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…
Read MoreThe Truth About Off‑Ice Training for Young Players — What Works Now
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.
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