A Coach’s Notebook
Help Us Teach the Game
The truth is, teaching the game works best when it becomes a team effort. Every time someone shares a real experience, a smart observation, or a lesson learned from a practice, game, or season, it helps someone else grow. That’s why your voice matters here, and why your comments under each post can help us teach the game in ways no single coach ever could.
Read MoreThe Science of Staying Calm With the Puck Under Pressure
Staying calm with the puck under pressure is one of the biggest differences between players who simply work hard and players who consistently make smart plays. Many high school hockey players have solid skating and stickhandling skills, yet those skills seem to disappear when the game speeds up or defenders close in. This is not…
Read MoreWhat Coaches Wish Parents Knew About Player Development
Most parents involved in youth and high school hockey care deeply about their child’s success. They drive to early practices, pay for equipment, and spend countless hours in cold rinks because they want to see their player grow and enjoy the game. Coaches recognize this commitment and appreciate it, but they also see many misunderstandings about how player development really works.
Read MoreWhy Most Players Misread the Neutral Zone — And How to Fix It
Most hockey players are taught from a young age that the neutral zone is simply the space between the blue lines, a place to skate fast, get the puck deep, or rush through as quickly as possible. Because of that mindset, the neutral zone often becomes the most chaotic and misunderstood area of the ice. Players feel like they are working hard, yet turnovers keep happening, rush chances disappear, and teams struggle to gain clean entries.
Read MoreHow to Train Hockey Balance the Right Way — Without Fancy Equipment
Balance is one of the most important skills in hockey, yet it is often misunderstood and overcomplicated. Many players believe they need expensive training tools or fancy equipment to improve their balance, but the truth is that great hockey balance is built through simple, consistent habits. Balance in hockey is not about standing still on one foot. It is about staying strong, controlled, and confident while skating, turning, battling, and reacting at game speed.
Read MoreThe Hidden Mechanics Behind Explosive First Strides
While many players focus on top speed, the truth is that explosive first strides matter far more than how fast someone can skate once they are already moving. The ability to accelerate quickly from a near standstill is a hidden skill that separates confident, effective players from those who always feel a step behind.
Read MoreCoach Chic’s Hockey Podcast 70
Don’t forget to grab all you can from this awesome site, and make this coming month one to truly remember…
Read MoreFun Lower Body Band Strength Endurance Workout
Using a mini-band and a single 41″ Quantum band, follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use these two bands to train your lower body strength endurance. You are going to be surprised at how challenging this workout will be. Complete 50-reps per exercise before moving on to the next exercise. Scale Total Reps and Quantum Band Resistance to fit your fitness level.
Read MoreNegative Self-talk
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 MoreBetter Puck Support for Young Players
Better puck support is one of the most important team habits young hockey players can learn, yet it is often one of the most misunderstood. Many young players focus almost entirely on the puck carrier, thinking the job is done once someone has control of the puck. In reality, hockey is a game of constant movement, spacing, and decision-making. Strong puck support gives teammates options, reduces turnovers, and helps young players feel more confident when they have the puck on their stick.
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