By Paul LubanskiToday, I offer-up another heartfelt effort to simplify the teaching/coaching of the game for the oft' times "overwhelmed and highly pressured" youth ice hockey. Yes--you guessed it--it involves he use of my favorite educating-tool--THE ACRONYM.
It is entitled: "D-T-A & GB!"
D = DEFEND
T = TRANSITION
A = ATTACK
&
GB = "GET-BACK!"
If you truly take a second to ponder what I have put forth above, you must conclude that the five letters represented encompass and compress the ENTIRE GAME OFF ICE HOCKEY--all aspects'--into one neat little package.
And if accepted and internalized, I would argue that the perceived complexity of the game to the average wide-eyed youngster--most especially those playing full-ice hockey at seven years-old--has been mostly eliminated.
Why?
I've broken the game into comprehensible, digestible segments that children can learn as easily as basic addition and subtraction in the classroom. In other words, I've uncomplicated and unraveled what too many inexperienced coaches make unintentionally confusing.
So, the new-age billion dollar question is now begged:
How do I--as a youth ice coach, leverage the "D-T-A-& GB!" teaching model?
Easy.
I believe that the game and ice-surface needs to be taught and understood from an "our net out" perspective--so that is naturally where we begin with the letter "D" representing DEFEND. Learn the basic, essential "defending" principles such as d-side positioning, emerging victorious from all board-battles, sticks on-surface and in lanes, shot-blocking, COMMUNICATION, protecting-the-HOUSE and "no peace around the crease" and teach them--incessantly.
Next--neutral-zone TRANSITION. Here we teach the concepts of "safe-clears" via judicious use of the boards, spreading-the-zone with speed and support and accurate on-the-fly passing. At some juncture, we even introduce re-grouping --that is, on an elementary level only.
Now ATTACK. This where emphasize all aspects of in-zone offense. Everything from keeping our sticks glued to-the-surface to getting pucks to the net and tips, deflections, screens, accurate one-timers', cycling and rapid puck movement.
Finally--"GET BACK!" This could be THE Most over-looked message, yet MOST critical of all the letters signified above. Here is what I would proclaim: "Listen-up boys & girls--if/when we lose possession of the biscuit in the opposition-zone and they are moving with speed and purpose out-- you must "GET BACK!" Crucial message to convey. No, it is not the "fun/glamorous" aspect of the game to teach and promulgate but it is mandatory that a coach institute a set of backchecking rules (i.e.: when in-doubt--backcheck through the middle and seek trailer while literally attempting to get inside of your checks' jersey) that must be adhered to if team-success is the ultimate goal. And, why wouldn't it be?
In closing, I hope and trust that you will consider embracing and furthermore--implementing the D-T-A & GB coaching model into you season-long personal coaching repertoire.
I personally guarantee that it can and will work.
Questions? Need clarifications and/or additional suggestions? Contact me via this CHICAGO AREA YOUTH HOCKEY BLOG and I will be happy to address/respond in a future piece.
Best of luck.
Coach Lubanski
BONUS TIP
The "D-T-A & GB" coaching tool can also be effectively utilized to assess the team's overall performance between periods and/or gameplay.
For example, "did we DEFEND vigorously?" or "who thinks we ATTACKED well and why or why not? Assuming the children understand the zone-referenced acronym I have-offered, you are off-and running towards a career as a successful volunteer youth hockey coach. One that actually makes a difference by providing a road-map of hockey knowledge for his/her players to potentially excel at the next level and beyond.
Paul T. Lubanski-
PRESIDENT
Wilderness Xtreme Sports
(248) 762-6998
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