Shooting and Scoring
The Real Reason So Many Players Plateau Between Ages 11 and 14
It happens all the time between the ages of 11 and 14. A player who was scoring goals, making teams, and gaining confidence can suddenly seem stuck. Their skating may stop improving as quickly. Their puck skills may look the same year after year. Their confidence may even begin to slip. Parents start wondering what happened. Coaches become concerned. Players often become discouraged. The truth is that this hockey development plateau is incredibly common, and understanding why it happens can help players continue growing instead of becoming frustrated.
Read MoreThe Stick‑Length Debate: What Coaches Worldwide Are Arguing About
In this episode, we’re taking a fresh look at something every hockey player depends on but few measure correctly — stick length. Instead of guessing or using outdated height charts, we’ll explore a simple, functional method that matches the way players actually skate and handle the puck. If you’ve ever wondered whether your stick helps or hurts your game, this short lesson will give you a clearer, more reliable way to find the perfect fit.
Read MoreSummer Skills Camps: What Actually Transfers to Real Games?
Every summer, hockey players across North America sign up for hockey skills camps with the goal of becoming better players before the next season begins. Parents invest time and money into skating camps, stickhandling clinics, shooting programs, and specialized development sessions because they want to help their players improve. Coaches often encourage athletes to use the off-season wisely and continue developing their game. The big question, however…
Read MoreHockey School, Clinic & Team Gear Available
After years of running hockey schools, clinics, and team sessions, I’ve accumulated a lot of training gear — the kind of equipment that keeps players moving, learning, and improving without wasting time in long lines. And I’m now making the remaining pieces available to anyone who can put them to good use…
Read MoreThe Equipment Rabbit Hole — How to Stop Overthinking Sticks, Skates & Sharpenings
It can feel like every small detail in hockey equipment is the reason for success or failure. This is what many people call the “equipment rabbit hole,” and it is easy to fall into. Players start to believe that the next stick or a different sharpening will suddenly fix their game. The truth is, while hockey equipment does matter, overthinking it can actually slow down development and take focus away from what really improves performance.
Read MoreThe Most Overlooked Skill in Today’s Game: Net‑Front Body Positioning
Net‑front play isn’t about being the biggest or strongest player on the ice. It’s about understanding leverage, timing, angles, and how to make life miserable for the opponent without taking penalties. When a player learns how to own the space around the crease, everything about their game becomes more dangerous. They become harder to defend, harder to move, and far more valuable to their team.
Read MoreThe Band Man’s Hotel Ab Workout
Follow along with Dave as he shows you how to use these bands to train your body for more strength and endurance…
Read MoreWhy Most Powerplays Struggle — And How to Simplify Player Roles
When a team has the man advantage, everyone expects crisp puck movement, clean entries, and dangerous scoring chances. But what usually happens instead is hesitation, overthinking, and five players all trying to do a little bit of everything. That’s when the power play slows down, the penalty killers gain confidence, and the puck ends up 200 feet away. The good news is that most of these problems disappear the moment each player understands a simple, specific role and sticks to it. When roles are clear, the puck moves faster, the decisions get easier, and the power play suddenly looks like it has purpose instead of panic.
Read MoreBuilding Better On-Ice Communication Habits for Youth Teams
One of the most important but often overlooked skills in youth hockey is communication. Many players spend hours working on skating, shooting, and puck control, but very little time is spent learning how to talk to teammates on the ice. The truth is, strong on-ice communication can make an average team much more effective, while poor communication can cause even skilled players to struggle.
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.
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