Ice Hockey Coaching Tips & Drills
FEATURED VIDEO:
PODCAST | Arizona Coyotes Skills Coordinator Jeff Ulmer: Analytics & Modern Coaching
The Arizona Coyotes have been front and centre in hockey’s great analytics debate. However, according to Jeff Ulmer (and most coaches whose paycheque depends on wins and losses, at least to a degree), there’s no debate: analytics are a tool for improvement. Coaches use the knowledge to varying degrees, and everyone has their preference, but […]
Drill of the Week: 2vs1 Backchecker
Drill Description: F1 and F2 leave at the same time. Coach passes puck from the corner to any forward Both forwards go down the ice 2 vs 1 on the D1 that stepped out. After 2 vs 1 is done, coach passes a puck to a new D2 at the blue line for a point […]
How to Convince Your Defensemen to Pass the Puck in Front of Your Own Net
A curious thing has happened in the last decade or so of hockey at its highest levels: everyone who stepped on the ice was a better player than his or her predecessors. Now, I’m not saying Frank Mahovlich wasn’t a good hockey player. Gordie Howe? He knew how to play the game in his era. […]
VIDEO | Jon Goyens On-Ice Defenseman Sequences
This month we’re focusing on defensemen. The trends they’re developing, the way coaches use them, and even what to say to them after a tough shift. It’s all well and good to talk the talk, but in his on-ice presentation this past summer at the Mastercard Centre in Toronto, Jon Goyens delivered a beautifully simple […]
The Regroup | Accepting the Terrifying Trends in Today’s Defensemen
A beautiful and hilarious scene played out last week as the Carolina Hurricanes travelled to Columbus, Ohio, to open their season against the Blue Jackets. It also happened to be the first game behind the bench (ever) for Carolina’s new head coach Rod Brind’Amour. When a failure in Nationwide Arena’s lights put the puck drop […]
What it Takes to Succeed & How to Learn From Your Losses
Here we are back in full swing of another exciting hockey season. With much anticipation for victories, players will no doubt face adversities. I believe there’s always many lessons to be learned along the way. That’s what I love about sports, they teach kids things they’ll never learn in school. Sports are an incredible means […]
PODCAST | Learning How to Be Coached by Former BC Lion Angus Reid
Angus Reid was a feared offensive lineman with the CFL’s BC Lions for eleven years. 11! He had the same offensive coordinator for all eleven seasons, Dan Dorazio. Can you imagine working with the same players on the same techniques and routines for eleven seasons? Well, Dorazio did such a good job with Reid that […]
Drill of the Week: Defense Breakout Progression with Shot
Drill Description: Drill starts with coach dumping in a puck. Both D1 and D2 tag up and one D retrieves puck and other supports Go D-D and breakout to D3 who shoots; coach dumps to opposite corner and D-D and pass to D4 for second shot Change D Progression: same format but this time D-D reverse Progression: same format but this […]
An Approach to Teambuilding Based on Values: Part 1
Image courtesy Brock University Every head coach is tasked with the responsibility of assembling and developing the best possible team. It’s not an easy task. Assembling the best team doesn’t necessarily mean recruiting the players with the most talent. Talent takes an athlete only so far. Coaches are tasked with selecting and developing players who will fit into […]
VIDEO | Glen Gulutzan: How to Develop the Complete Defenseman
Former Calgary Flames head coach and current Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Glen Gulutzan delivered an ideal presentation for this month’s focus on defensemen. He’s been around the block now, with stops in Vancouver and Dallas, so Glen has seen a clear progression in National Hockey League D-men. So where do we start? “Defense starts at […]
