Evaluate Hockey Problems — RIGHT NOW!

I wrote an advice column for “Hockey/USA” for nearly 20-years.  Anyway, one time when my publisher asked that I do a piece on “picking a hockey camp”, I thought I’d try something a little different from what other writers might.  So, what I ultimately called that column — and the advice I had for my readers — was (to) “Have An Objective”.

AS A HOCKEY PARENT

Don’t forget that I’ve been a hockey parent, and then later a hockey grandparent.  So, let me give you a little insight into the way I handled the off-seasons for my young grandson over about 15-ish years…

Being the obsessed note-taker that I am, I always kept a slip of paper and a pencil handy as I watched my young guy’s games.  (Sometimes, I’ve been able to also gather valuable ideas while I’ve watched his practices.)

The main idea is to note any hockey playing deficiencies.

Those shortcomings might be skill related — like in the player’s skating, puckhandling, passing, shooting, whatever.  But — and especially with older players, these might involve physical qualities — such as speed, strength, agility, conditioning, etc.

RIGHT NOW is the time to gather that off-season training fodder, so that you can start drafting a plan to use the off-season wisely.

There will be plenty of help for you here at CoachChic.com — in the way of off-season skills training and for ways to greatly increase certain physical qualities.  And, if you fear I won’t be covering an area where you see a need, please just let me know.  Hey, this is really YOUR site!

AS A HOCKEY COACH

Of course, we hockey coaches wear many hats.  So, let’s address this topic according to our various roles…

A) Whether we’re moving up to a different tier or remaining at the same one, it’s a good idea to assess whether our playing system fits where we’ll be coaching.  In other words, I’m suggesting we evaluate — or re-evaluate — the appropriateness of all the elements in our team defense, our team offense, and our specialteams.  The off-season is a great time to re-evaluate such things, and to research some new options.

B) Being in charge of our players’ development as we are, I think it important to make a late season evaluation of our kids’ individual skills and general physical qualities.  Although I’ve described this approach (above) as a parent might do for his or her player, we could do the same sort of assessment for our entire roster.  In fact, if we studied each and every one of our players, it’s likely we’d find a lot of common denominators, or areas where our entire roster would likely benefit.

Whether you’re able to work with your players during the off-season or not, I believe you could keep your players growing over the spring and summer.  In any case, use some of the ideas you’ll find here over coming months.

C) RIGHT NOW is the time to list the various administrative problems you’ve had over the past season (or over past seasons).  Handling in advance is the only way.  For, here’s what I’ve discovered…

If we react to a problem when it happens — like a player constantly showing late for team functions, whatever we do is going to seem personal.  I mean, that player or that family is going to feel as if you’re only getting on them (and in a way, you are).  However, if certain team rules or guidelines are introduced and agreed upon before next season, most folks will go along with them, and it’ll be hard for any later offender/s to take them personally.

So, get on that stuff now.  Make a list of how things need to be next fall, and consider over the coming months how you might best introduce them.

AS AN ADULT PLAYER

Your game should be all about fun.  (Why else would you play — LOL?)  So, would it benefit you to take your own late-season accounting?  You bet!  For, you should find that just a little bit of effort over the spring and summer months can translate into a whole lot more fun next fall and winter.

Now, while our Thinking the Game sections will arm you with plenty of ideas for improving your positional play, I think the fastest gains — at least at the adult levels — come with drastically improved individual skills and better conditioning.  So, if you want to take this old coach’s advice, yours truly is suggesting you pay particular attention to the programs we offer to improve your skating, puckhandling and shooting skills.

Finally, two points…

The reason I mentioned my old “Hockey/USA” column is to suggest to you that it’s super-critical to have an objective these next few months.  The worst thing I’ve seen is for a player or coach to meander through the off-season without any aims, or to find they’re no further ahead when the next fall rolls around.  Just think about it:  It’s a long time from May to September, and a ton can be accomplished if one has a plan.  So, make that plan now, and just slowly lop-off your needs or shortcomings in a systematic way.

Then, as intimated previously, we here at CoachChic.com plan on arming you with tons of great off-season advice.  Again though, if you fear we might not include what you need, don’t be shy about letting us know (sorta early).  After all, THIS REALLY IS YOUR SITE!