Learning By Doing

Over recent years, it seems tons of seminar speakers, the two North American hockey federations, and a host of do-gooder bloggers have believed that hockey players should put their gear away once their season has ended.  As members will discover, I believe in that, too — at least partially, but I also believe the old adage, about learning by doing… 

Let me say that this piece is written for those who care most about a single sport — like ice hockey.  There’s nothing wrong with wanting to participate in three or four sports, and not care about excelling in any one of them.  At the same time, the only way a player can become fairly proficient at his or her first love is to heed those title words, as in “learning by doing” — maybe a lot. 

Next, I might as well get another thing out of the way right now:

I truly DO believe hockey players have to get away from the game for awhile, and I especially think most developmental level players should stay far clear of off-season competition.  (I can understand Junior players and other older guys needing to showcase their talents during that time of year, but I think it’s counterproductive for a young player to compete during summer months, as if his or her career is on the  line.)  

What gets my blood boiling is the broad brush with which the seminar speakers, federations and self-serving authors and program designers paint this topic.  I mean, I can’t blame youth hockey parents for listening to folks they’re supposed to be able to trust.  The problems come, however, as youth coaches and parents take too literally what they (think) they’ve heard, and spread that word to others as if it’s gospel.  Ya, I don’t like off-season games, but a player who totally stops improving during the off-season is very likely to be losing ground to those who do keep at it.

Enter this guy named Aristotle…  For, a kizilion years ago he seems to have had more sense than some current day hockey gurus.  Truly, can you argue with his claim that, “What we learn to do, we learn by actually doing it”?

Just thinking here…  Can you imagine a youngster who is into piano playing being told that he or she has to take 4-months off — or else?   Or, how about the kid who is bent on becoming a dancer.  Same thing,  I’ll ask you:  Do you believe anyone in their right mind is going to tell that kid that he or she has to put the dancing shoes away for the summer months?  Ugh. 

Actually, this learning by doing thing has me thinking about other scientific principles we know (and somehow others seem to forget).  To name a few…   The way a pianist’s fingers glide over the keys reminds me of muscle memory.   And so does the dancer have to move smoothly and gracefully through his or her steps…  So does a hockey player have to commit to muscle memory in the coordination of body parts for an efficient, agile and powerful skating stride.  

My members will eventually hear a lot about epigenetics within these pages.  Yes, the science of genetics long ago suggested that we’re all born with certain, special gifts. Along comes that new branch of science, though, and we’re led to believe that the genes can actually be influenced by — guess what:  doing (and doing and doing). 

Winding down here…  I think I’ve found a way to achieve the best of both worlds, as in getting away from our game while still learning by doing…

For sure, we are not going to get better — at anything — by doing it less.  Please — PLEASE — think about that one, and ask a seminar speaker or USA Hockey rep about that the next time you see one.  (Just  thinking to myself…  I was an engineer in an earlier life, and I could  print almost like a typewriter.  During the years I got comfortable with that, I lost the ability to write in cursive — honest to God.  In  the last decade or more, I’ve used my laptop more than a pencil or pen, to the point where my printing is sloppy and my writing is almost illegible.  Ya, it’s all about learning by doing, and it’s also all about constantly perfecting the movements we’ve learned.)  

The way those previously noted seminar speakers, hockey federations and  new-wave authors leave off with the general public, you have to avoid your primary sport at all costs.  And that, it seems to me, leaves listeners guessing…  Would their kids be better off playing golf?  How about vegging in front of the TV or computer?  

Hmmmm…  Actually, I think kids ought to do those things — for a time. and I think they ought to also go fishing, hiking, swimming and a lot more things like those.  It’s just that those don’t contribute much to a youngster’s athleticism, never mind his or her hockey development.  

What I’ve done for my players over recent years is to get them involved in lots of cross-training.   Slideboards, in-lining and roller hockey, floorball, gymnastics, baseball, a sane version of soccer, summer basketball and even some track and field events can be excellent for the ice hockey player.   Just think about each, and consider the physical and mental traits a hockey player might infuse into his or her on-ice game.  

In closing, our game might be one of the most difficult on earth.  I mean, a participant has to be able to skate really well, check, and then handle, pass, catch and shoot a puck while on the move.  Those things can’t be performed slowly, either, but instead they usually have to be executed at a breakneck pace, while at the same time reading and reacting to what opponents and teammates are doing.  

So, while the casual player might kiss-off the theme here, and while simpler games might require less work, I’m with Aristotle, and thinking we serious hockey-types need to do lots of learning by doing.

 *  The Aristotle graphic came from one of my favorite sites, Train Ugly.  Take a browse when you can.