Thinking the Game – Offensively
The Real Reason Breakaway Attempts Fail — And How to Fix Them
One of the biggest mistakes players make on a breakaway is deciding what move they are going to use long before they reach the goalie. They convince themselves they are going to deke, shoot high glove side, or fake a backhand move no matter what the goalie does. Hockey does not work that way…
Read MoreHow to Help Young Defensemen Stop Panicking Under Forecheck Heat
Helping young defensemen stop panicking under forecheck heat is really about building habits that become automatic. Smart scanning, strong skating, constant communication, realistic practice drills, positive coaching, and growing confidence all work together to slow the game down…
Read MoreThe 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 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 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 MoreHow to Teach ‘Scanning’ When Kids Don’t Naturally Look Up
One of the most common challenges in youth hockey is teaching players to look up while handling the puck. Many young players become so focused on controlling the puck that they rarely notice what is happening around them. As a result, they miss open teammates, skate into pressure, and struggle to make smart decisions during games. Coaches often tell players to “keep your head up,” but for many kids, that instruction alone is not enough. Learning to scan the ice is a skill, and like every other hockey skill, it can be taught, practiced, and improved over time.
Read MoreThe 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.
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