Training Camp: Pre-game guidance and communication

Each post that’s published here at The Coaches Site falls into a certain category. Culture, video, specific conferences – there are also tags that make the site easier to navigate, and these can get pretty specific. Practice planning, systems, forecheck – there’s a lot of ground to cover, and with the massive library of content we’ve got, it can get really specific. But there’s one tag that applies almost universally to everything here: Communication.

This is the third of a 6 part series called Training Camp Exceptional. Here’s the criteria we used:

Age Groups

As the range of contributing coaches demonstrates, we made a distinction between training camp and tryouts. This series is generally intended for junior hockey and older, though many elements will no doubt apply to U18 and younger.

Content

Each post will cover the bones of training camp, from the planning, implementation, and fall-out. Hopefully you’ll get some inspiration or knowledge to help you run your next camp.

• Training Camp Exceptional Part 1: Schedules, volunteers & extras
• Training Camp Exceptional Part 2: On-ice training camp options
• Training Camp Exceptional Part 3: Pre-game guidance and communication
• Training Camp Exceptional Part 4: Training camp evaluation
• Training Camp Exceptional Part 5: Exit meetings
• Training Camp Exceptional Part 6: Post-camp team building

“Our staff is in constant communication with all the players to reinforce our expectations as an organization and to implement small systematic and habit foundations.”

• Kris Mallette, Kelowna Rockets

Coach Mallette provides us with a strong foundation when it comes to communication – it’s constant, and it’s provided to every player. This is a tall task during a training camp in which a hundred athletes might skate through your doors, but it’s crucial because every player deserves a positive experience. This is also the primary foundation of my entire coaching philosophy: Seek Exceptional. The Seek Exceptional philosophy means you’re always looking for better ways to do things, you’re looking for exceptional people to run your program, and you’re seeking exceptional players of exceptional character to build your team. The most efficient way to find exceptional people is to talk to them and outline your expectations so there’s no guessing and there’s no grey area.

Kelvin Cech

Steady contributor in multiple roles over the years at The Coaches Site, current General Manager and Head Coach of the MJHL Niverville Nighthawks, former Assistant Coach with the UBC Thunderbirds Men's Hockey team.

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