Upcoming Season Preparation Tips

"IF IT WERE MY TEAM..."


By Paul Lubanski

Attention youth hockey head coaches regardless of your age group or playing level/ classification...

In today's blog posting, I will offer  a number of personal suggestions as it relates to mapping out your upcoming 2011-2012 season.

So here goes:

IF IT WERE MY TEAM:

-I would place a capital "L" on the front of each of my player's jersey's--including the goaltender's. The "L" stands for LEADER. So what is the significance? It would serve as a constant reminder that I expect all of my players to act in a manner that denotes sportsmanship, integrity and a total commitment to team-accented play--at all times. In other words, they are all to be viewed as captains-in-training.

-I would mandate that a puck be on or very near each players stickblade throughout all practices and most especially during the precious few pre-game warm-up minutes that are allotted. Sadly, only the most talented youngsters even come close to the amount of time puck-possession time necessary to improve upon all puck-related skills in games.

-Once a month, my "team-bonding" meetings would be held at the local library--in the children's book/reading section.

-Community Service--at least once--would be on the agenda--i.e. visiting a local Senior Care Center and reading to the elderly.

-I would offer Coach-Parent-Player Evaluation meetings once a month. Fifteen-minute time slots ala their school PTA-type conferences.

-Each practice would begin with 4-5 minutes of FUN.

-Aside from skills, skills and more skills-work dominating each practice session, I would practice breaking-out of our zone religiously. And I would not be afraid to allow my players to utilize the front-of-out-net area to start a break-out play.

-Teaching, performing and ultimately perfecting the various "stick-checks" would a priority.

-If we had whole-ice, I would have three games going on at once ... east-to-west in each zone in order to enhance of small-area skills. Remember: the real-game is played in small areas all around the ice surface.

-Each of my practices would also include time spent working on the effective and efficient use of the BOARDS. The boards are often ignored by even the most seasoned coaches. Too bad, because the boards are your secret weapon--your SIXTH teammate. EXPLOIT them!

-As well, I would make certain to carve out enough time to introduce
GRETZKY'S OFFICE and work on simple plays from that coveted landscape. The defense is most vulnerable when the puck lands behind the cage because the eyes leave their respective "checks" to follow the puck.

-At some point early on the season, I would challenge my players by allowing them to meet amongst themselves--no coaches present--to devise and design the next practice plan. This will not only convey a strong feeling of trust and confidence towards your team--but grant them a sense of ownership in the whole equation.

-I would also consistently practice the art of winning face-offs. Face-off wins equate to possession of the biscuit for us--and that is the very best "defense" any team could ever play. At the same time--we are now able to control and dictate the flow of play--which is what all teams should be striving to accomplish.

-Remember this: winning face-offs leads to winning shifts which leads to winning periods. Winning more periods usually leads to winning more games. No, winning is NOT the primary methodology that should be used to judge your coaching effort--but it sure make things alot more fun for the children and their PARENTS.

-I would institute a monthly Academic Achievement Award ... which would go to the player that has the most outstanding month from the educational/school-work perspective.

-My away tournament itinerary would include mandatory in-hotel study/quiet-time sessions. The more advanced academically would serve as tutors to those who seek help in specific subject.

-The importance of proper nutrition (including water intake) would be emphasized beginning day one.

-I would ask for a short essay from each player explaining how he/she intends to successfully contribute to the ultimate "team" goals throughout the course of the season.

-I would be simple, clear, concise and very direct during my initial inter-action with the team as it relates to what our season-long mantra will be...I would consider using one of Lubanski's abbreviated coaching Laws --which are: S-T-U-D...speed, toughness, unselfishness and discipline. Or, S-O-S--which stands for support, outnumber and smother. Or M-I-T which equates to always striving to be a most important teammate.

-Finally, if you the head coach are not willing to enter the 2011-2012 season with the frame-of-mind that unequivocally state's the following: "Anything that goes wrong on or off the ice is 100% MY fault/responsibility--AND--anything that goes well on or off the ice is 100% to the player's credit"--I would resign right now.


Best of luck.





You should follow CAYH Blog on twitter here.