MUST READ for all parents, players and administrators associated with youth ice hockey...
By Paul Lubanski"Finish your check son!" ("Sorry coach--after you only!")
If you truly think about it, expending the energy required to ATTEMPT to rail an opposing player that has just beaten you to the puck and executed a successful hockey play is a ridiculously dumb piece of youth hockey today.
Why?
It is dangerous to both the hitter and receiver and literally serves zero purpose. Drains critical energy and takes the player making the hit far out of the play.
Furthermore, in my opinion, The phrase "finish your check," that promulgates said behavior, is only spit out of a coach's mouth that owns an inferior knowledge of the game in the new millennium, and in many cases, should NOT be coaching youngsters.
I would go so far as to assert that a coach that encourages his/her player to exert physical punishment upon (yes--even within the guise of the rules of the current game) an opposing team MINOR child is committing a felony--first class child abuse.
Think about it parents, is is that "worth it" to play in a league or at a level that a win-at-all-costs/
neanderthal coach is pressing a player on the other club to knock your son or daughter into the first row beyond the glass.
Of course it isn't!
What parent EVER wants a child to endure physical hurt or harm-- I query rhetorically--NONE--of course--NONE! NEVER worth it. NEVER especially if it the result of having participated in a meaningless youth hockey contest.
You see, the speed of today's game combined with bulky, sharp hardened-plastic-composite equipment pushes the potential for life-altering brain-bruising (concussions) and even paralyzing hits from behind way off the charts of reasonableness. Most especially when--and because of illogical and uninformed coaches that consistently call for hits' on vulnerable, minor age children executed by illogical, hormone-crazed kids.
Pathetic aspect of the game today--worst at the high school level. Sorry that is a fact. However, there are a few exceptions--most poignantly represented by H.S. teams coached by Andy Weidenbach at Cranbrook Kingswood.
Couple all of the above with with poorly trained on-ice officials whose only concern is getting the game over with--and NOT the SAFETY of the minor-age players--and you have a recipe for disaster.
What makes matters even worse is that 95% of coaches today do not know and CANNOT appropriately teach what can be construed as "proper" and/or "legal" body contact. Which (for their benefit), consists of a shoulder-shoulder, hip-to-hip, hands-to-hands and stick-on-stick bump.
Hey, if they are asking your youngster to execute such nonsense, I would turn-the-tables on them and subject each coach to a just "finishing-the-check"type- hit from an adult 50 pounds heavier and three-to-five inches taller during the next practice? Now that would make for a "fun" and entertaining drill--wouldn't it? In fact, your blowhard coach could use it as a "teachable moment" by illustrating how best to take and "absorb" such a hit. That's would be true coaching! Video it as well!
And that disproportionate size issue that I reference above is there for a reason. You know as well as I that at the Pee Wee level especially, those sort of size irregularities are common-place.
And do not forget that these so-termed "big hits" often lead to fighting amongst coaches and worst-of-all--among and between parents in the stands. In my opinion, the very real opportunity for resultant tragedy (actual death) is just one ill-timed/ill-performed "hit" away in today's game both on and off the surface. It actually occurred in Massachusetts a few years back in the lobby of a local rink where a dad attacked another for perceived bullying perpetrated upon his son. One father ended up dead.
In my mind, for the true safety of all involved, body checking should be eliminated all together from under 18 hockey. But if it is not removed, it makes more sense to go to weight categories like the old CYO youth football teams that I played on. If you were over 144 pounds in the eight grade, you couldn't participate or had to play "up.".
Also, I would mandate that the youth participants can only sport "old-time" equipment. Light-weight "Howe/Chelios" late 60's-early 70's style shoulder pads and the softer less bulky elbow pads without pointed/sharp edges. Without intentional hitting and the reduced equipment weaponry, injuries would be kept to a minimum.
Look, the emphasis should be on skills to begin with...beating players to to the puck with advanced skating and get this: STICK CHECKING techniques. Ever hear of those?
Hitting/fighting means very little in game today as it relates to playing professionally or in college. I take that back, sadly the OHL still wants players that drop the gloves without hesitation and they indirectly pay heir players via huge college stipends.
I watched a young player compete for eight seasons at the youth level and never saw him throw a hip --let-alone a board-rattling check. Guess what? Currently, he plays a regular shift on DEFENSE--yes DEFENSE in the NHL! He simply excelled at all aspects of skating puckhandling and stick-checking and is now starring in "the show."
That is the way it SHOULD be done and taught.
In closing parents and players, please don't let children play for or be subject to coaches that push for heavy-hits. It is nonsense for all the reasons I've outlined above. And if you hear "finish your check damnit"--emanating from your child's bench--walk away from that team immediately.
Yes, I know that the Association you represent and AHAI will fight the "release" aspect by strong-arming you for the full season of dues--but fight it. Being subject to physical abuse is a legitimate reason to leave. Sorry--AHAI--it is.
I welcome intelligent, well-presented opinions to the contrary. Please send to Hockey Weekly if you are so inclined.
Best of Luck--and be SAFE out there.
Paul Lubanski
Next Week: Why Public Universities Should Be Mandated To Grant Ice Hockey Scholarships To Natives Of Their Respective State(s)--ONLY...
Follow Paul on Twitter and Facebook.
Want To Connect Directly With Paul Via E-mail Or Phone? (He Is Also Available For Club/Team Motivational Speaking Engagements...) Click here for more information!
You should follow CAYH Blog on twitter here.
No comments:
Post a Comment