First Things First in Hockey Skills Work

I have to laugh at myself a bit, because I sometimes find it funny how my old noggin’ works… What I’m referring to is that one thing often leads me to think of something else, and that just as often leads me to think of something else (and so on).

Such was the case as I read an old member’s email this morning.  And that thought process led me to answer him in the way I did, as well as to ultimately decide to share a few thoughts with all of my other CoachChic.com friends right here…

You see, as I reflect back on the hundreds of outstanding players I’ve had through the years, I’ve always found they had a few things in common.  Oh, I’m not talking about great genetics here; actually, I think most of my best players overcame some shortcomings to achieve what they did.

From a mental perspective, those kids always seemed to have a very positive approach to trying new things.  I mean, they could laugh at themselves whenever they were really challenged by a drill.  Hand in hand with that was a certain “Show me what you have for me today, Coach!” attitude.  And, while some might suggest those traits are genetic, my feeling is that they’re a reflection of their parents’ attitude.

What I’m here today to talk about, however — and what my old friend reminded me about, is what I probably did for those kids who ultimately found some success in the game.

As an aside here…  You might find it odd that I don’t usually brag about a specific player, or claim to have put this kid or that kid in the NHL or on a National Team.  That’s because I don’t believe there’s a coach on the planet who is totally responsible for a player’s success.  Oh, I know I helped a ton of young guys and gals along the way (as have other coaches or skills instructors), and I’ve even watched a bunch of ‘em on TV.  If you want my honest opinion, though, it’s the moms and dads who give their kids legitimate chances to make it, and it’s the kids who make good use of what their parents are willing to provide — plain and simple.  That said, this entry is about one of those “little things” I probably have done right for my kids through the years, and something that probably served them well for years and years to come…

What I’m getting at is my refusal to skip steps.  So many parents and coaches are in a hurry to have their kids perform moves like elite players.  And I think I may have even been that way as I guided my first generation through NEHI programs.  But, being in a hurry almost always means skipping steps.  And skipping steps almost always causes a player some difficulties down the road.  (Please think about that one, because I’ve seen far too many older players who couldn’t be saved due their failure to master given skills when the time was right.)

Now, one luxury of my job is the time I have to study (and study and study).  And, while I’m not done studying the game yet — by a long shot, the way I’ve plotted skill progressions for you within this site is likely the most concise you’ll ever find.

Take, for example, the stopping movement…  I bring my students or players through maybe ten steps, from the very beginner challenge to some very advanced applications.  (These are described and shown in the three “Must-do Skating Drills” videos under the Skating category.)

Of course, rational people would say it makes sense to NOT go on to Step 4 until Step 3 is mastered.  Yet, there’s something that seems to cause younger parents and coaches to get a bit irrational at times — or they get antsy about their kids’ progress, which causes them to skip from Step 3 to Step 7 (whatever).

I’m also (as my noggin’ makes me jump again) reminded of the advice I provided in the “Creating The Early Goal-scorer” video.  For, my main aim there was to help an adult parent member help your youngster succeed “at his or her own level”.  Trust me on this one:   Most of the other kids in your youngster’s age group are skipping steps, or they’re not even being given the chance to master many of the game’s basic skills.  So, a kid who IS slowly lopping-off key steps IS ultimately going to blow-away the majority of his or her peers.

Okay, I may have seemingly jumped around a bit here and there (and that’s likely the electrodes in my noggin’ at work).  But the advice I’m trying to convey to you today is to just “stay the course”.  There are bound to be ups and downs in a season — geeeeeze, with young players, there can be numerous ups and downs in a day.  The thing I’m here to tell you is that others will likely panic with the downs and get a bit over excited about the ups.  You, on the other hand, ought to be able to smile at both (yes, even at the downers), because you know you’re on the right course, just putting “first things first”.