"SOS" Support, Outnumber and Smother

A Coaching Success Tool You Can Very Easily Utilize/Implement

By Paul Lubanski

Those of you who have been reading my blog for the past several years already know that I am a huge proponent of two of the most oft-heard and time-worn coaching-for success principles of "simplicity and consistency".

In other words, I both strongly adhere to and personally agree 100 percent that it is mandatory for coaches at all levels to cultivate an effective, yet easily understandable and digestible message throughout all game and practice play. Additionally, that message must remain relatively consistent throughout the entire season in order to serve to foster a healthy and fun environment.

To that end, today's column provides you with an approach that I recently devised and utilized as I prepared a Junior level team for an international tournament. I refer to it as "SOS." Let me explain.


"SOS" is an acronym for, in my opinion, three critical coaching buzzwords as it relates to the great game of hockey: SUPPORT, OUTNUMBER and SMOTHER.

Just think about it for a moment: If your team played every game with all players unconditionally committed to providing their teammates with unwavering offensive AND defensive SUPPORT, made the heartfelt decision to OUTNUMBER the opposition all over the surface and--probably most importantly--SMOTHER the other guys from a defensive perspective in all situations, our club would stand a tremendous chance of celebrating a victory each time we stepped on the ice.

You see, ingraining the "SOS" concept in your players' mind-eye, even those at the youngest levels, establishes a both a frame-of-reference and "formula" for competitive success that cannot be argued. And best of all, it is an extremely simplistic message and consequently quite easy to preach on a consistent basis.
Coaches, I am confident that if you embrace the "SOS" mantra and shape/mold it to fit your individual style of communication, your team will benefit almost instantaneously in the form of more points and a loftier position in your league standings. Best of all, however, you will be able to take pride in internalizing that you are laying the groundwork for your players, as individuals, to become better and more productive as they climb the competitive ladder. And isn't that one of the primary reason we all volunteer to coach?

Furthermore, "SOS" can be utilized as a functionally effective method for assessing and reviewing per shift, period and overall game-play. For example, beyond the more obvious giveaways, takeaways, shot-blocks and accurate shots etc., did we continuously SUPPORT, OUTNUMBER and SMOTHER the opposition the majority of the contest? If so, our club more than likely gained at least a point in the standings today...that's for certain!

Need a real-life example for further convincing?

One need look no further than the Detroit Red Wings. Simply examine any version-- 1997 through today-- with virtually every team having exemplified the "SOS" philosophy with incredible tenacity. No doubt that the Wing organization has done a very, very  admirable job, regardless of personnel turnover, in insuring that each individual player buys into the idea that endless SUPPORT, combined with a commitment to both OUTNUMBER  and SMOTHER opponents is a stated game-plan...

AND IT IS EXECUTED BY A TEAM DEVOID OF SIZE OR INTIMIDATORS AS COMPARED TO ALL OTHER CLUBS!

And from a hockey purists point-of-view-- it is a beautiful thing to behold...

Don't you agree?

Best of luck.

Paul Lubanski


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