Tag Archives: coaching

So You Wanna Be a Hockey Coach

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I decided, sort of at the last minute back in December, to throw my hat into the ring for the head coaching position on the Devil’s team next year. My interview was this past week. I had a couple of reasons for giving it a shot – 1. the Devil would be tickled pink to have Dad as her head coach and 2. several people have suggested this season that they would like to see me as a head coach. 

I do think I would bring a good balance of positive reinforcement and focus on individual technical skill. This next year will be a critical year for many players as they are getting older.  Other interests like school, jobs and boys will start to compete with hockey.  My primary goals would be to make sure all of my players improve as players, have fun as teammates and maintain, if not, grow their love of the game.

The first step in applying for a representative team coaching spot is to submit a detailed application, complete with hockey resume and references. Coaching hopefuls begin by indicating what level of team they wish to manage.  In order to do that each applicant needs to be realistic about what level his/her child is able to compete at. I submitted an application for a level above where the Devil is playing this year as she has played at that level before.  I am confident she would be a strong performer playing against stiffer competition.

In my other minor hockey role, as a rep boy’s hockey convenor and part of a coach selection committee, we actually take time to watch games to assess the capabilities of prospective coaches’ sons.  We can only consider giving a team to a coach if his son is a “lock” to make that team, because we are effectively guaranteeing that one spot without a formal tryout.

The rest of the process is not unlike a typical job application with a panel from the selection committee posing questions around previous experience, coaching philosophy and how you anticipate handling specific game, practice, player and parent situations.

Handling situations, with players and parents, is definitely a big part of the job description. Coaching is not simply a matter of teaching and guiding a group of young players. A team consists of players, staff and parents.  In my last two years of convening, I’ve see my fair share of issues, the majority of which start with parents’ concerns about ice-time, player favoritism or coach conduct. In most cases, the parents’ concerns are unfounded or there is simply some miscommunication, which needs to be addressed.  A good coach needs to be a great communicator.  I’m certain having to deal with hockey parent-related issues is a big reason why many people choose to not apply at all.

There is no shortage of applicants for the division I’ve selected this year with at least six others vying for a spot. That is a very good sign as volunteerism is key to the long-term success of minor hockey and particularly women’s hockey. I believe this is the third time I’ve applied for a head coaching position. I’m hopeful the old adage about it being a charm rings true.  And so does the Devil. 

Until we know, one way or the other, mum’s the word.  Coach selection for next year happens to be running at the same time as this year’s playoffs, which I’m not sure I agree with.  You could effectively have two coaches on the same bench competing for the same job next year, potentially adding an unnecessary level of tension within a team.  Make no mistake that for many, there is competition involved. For my own part, I am hopeful, but will by no means be severely disappointed should I not be selected.

If my bid for head coach is unsuccessful, I will simply let the chosen coach, for whatever team the Devil ends up on, know that I am willing and able to help out in whatever capacity he or she see fit. I’ve done this every year she has played the game.  I’ve helped out with the Boy’s team as well, though his coaching staffs have tended to be more pre-determined.  I do think it’s important to be involved and to support a coach who’s primary concern should be the development of the players.

All of this coaching talk aside, both the Devil and the Boy are still plugging away in playoffs.  He’s headed to one rink this afternoon and I’ll be taking her to play at the same time at another rink a little farther away.  Hockey mom will be trying to get out of a first-aid course to get to his game as soon as she can.  And she better be quick about it because I need my regular text updates of the score in his game. I hate missing either of them play. Sometimes it simply can’t be helped. For that matter, if I’m a head coach, on a bench next season, it will only get worse.

#imahockeydad

Temporary power outages

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The Boy’s and the Devil’s teams have both, of late, had problems putting the biscuit in the basket, bulging the twine, solving the keeper — that is to say, scoring goals. Both have had a string of low scoring games.  In the case of the boys this has translated into three regular season ties in a row before their most recent 4-1 loss. In the last of the three aforementioned ties, the boys had the other team to thank for the tying goal on an egregious defensive error. We’ll take a tie however we can get it, but having the other team score goals on themselves is generally not a prescribed stragegy for success.

The girls, on the other hand, opened their season with a 1-0 win followed by a 1-1 tie.  Women’s hockey is generally low scoring.  However, one goal a game is not going to win many for you.

It’s not that either team doesn’t know how to score or that there is a lack of effort.  Rather, there seems to be a generally lack of ability to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.  Shots are misfired or heaved squarely at the goalie. I joked with one of the Devil’s teammates recently that the crest on the goaltender’s sweater is not a bulls-eye she should be aiming for. To borrow a phrase from baseball “Shoot it where they ain’t.” That is, of course, easier said than done in the heat of battle.  Tougher to do when you know you need a goal and you clutch your stick a little tighter trying to force something to happen. To their credit, both teams have run up against very good goaltending where sure goals were kept out my an outstretched pad, the butt end of a goal stick or the flash of a leather glove.

The Boy, himself, is experiencing a multi-game drought.  He has had several very good chances to score in each of the last few games. He has never been a prolific scorer; he tends to be more of a grinder and playmaker.  Yet some of the scoring opportunities he has missed lately have been a little confounding. Pucks have jumped over or seemingly through his stick. He simply hasn’t been able to finish. A couple of times I haven’t been able to figure out how the puck did not end up in the net.

Hockey, and I suppose sports in general, can be funny in terms of the ebbs and flows that can occur within and across games.  Momentum is a often used word for good reason.  It has been said that scoring is contagious and I’m sure when either of these breaks through there will be a flood of converted chances. It would seem not scoring is contagious as well.  In practice, the coaches diligently work on plays and strategies designed to prompt these breakthroughs.   The boys have practiced offensive zone break out drills and powerplay situations, while the girls have focused on creating scoring chances and going hard to the net.  Coaches hope the drills taught and lessons learned translate from practice to game.  It’s no doubt heartening to see when this is in fact the case.  A practiced tactic that makes its way into game-play proves the players were listening and learning.  That’s really the most you can ask of players.  Presumably with listening, learning and practice come execution; which will ultimately lead to the desired result; in the cases of these two teams…more goals.

The Devil’s coach has rightly surmised that part of their dilemma is a lack of power. He has suggested working on shooting at home into a net, against a wall, a garage door, etc. I’ve nailed two pucks together in an effort to strengthen the Devil’s shot. She has admittedly been negligent with the extra work, but has school basketball, homework and general kid stuff competing for her attention.  When we were kids (here comes my father’s voice again) we’d be out on the driveway or in the backyard practicing for what seemed like hours. But, in my case at least, there was far less to be distracted by.

Of course, as I recently watched the local NHL hockey team struggle through eight consecutive periods of scoreless hockey, I was quickly reminded that all teams, at all levels, are susceptible to lulls in execution.

So with no lack of effort or chances, perhaps the key is to simply continue to do the good things, limit the bad and wait for the flood gates to open. The hockey gods will smile upon you soon enough. If that doesn’t work, it’s back to the drawing board. We, perched in the stands, will do our best to will a few in.

#imahockeydad

Temporary power outages

Posted on by
Reply

The Boy’s and the Devil’s teams have both, of late, had problems putting the biscuit in the basket, bulging the twine, solving the keeper — that is to say, scoring goals. Both have had a string of low scoring games.  In the case of the boys this has translated into three regular season ties in a row before their most recent 4-1 loss. In the last of the three aforementioned ties, the boys had the other team to thank for the tying goal on an egregious defensive error. We’ll take a tie however we can get it, but having the other team score goals on themselves is generally not a prescribed stragegy for success.

The girls, on the other hand, opened their season with a 1-0 win followed by a 1-1 tie.  Women’s hockey is generally low scoring.  However, one goal a game is not going to win many for you.

It’s not that either team doesn’t know how to score or that there is a lack of effort.  Rather, there seems to be a generally lack of ability to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.  Shots are misfired or heaved squarely at the goalie. I joked with one of the Devil’s teammates recently that the crest on the goaltender’s sweater is not a bulls-eye she should be aiming for. To borrow a phrase from baseball “Shoot it where they ain’t.” That is, of course, easier said than done in the heat of battle.  Tougher to do when you know you need a goal and you clutch your stick a little tighter trying to force something to happen. To their credit, both teams have run up against very good goaltending where sure goals were kept out my an outstretched pad, the butt end of a goal stick or the flash of a leather glove.

The Boy, himself, is experiencing a multi-game drought.  He has had several very good chances to score in each of the last few games. He has never been a prolific scorer; he tends to be more of a grinder and playmaker.  Yet some of the scoring opportunities he has missed lately have been a little confounding. Pucks have jumped over or seemingly through his stick. He simply hasn’t been able to finish. A couple of times I haven’t been able to figure out how the puck did not end up in the net.

Hockey, and I suppose sports in general, can be funny in terms of the ebbs and flows that can occur within and across games.  Momentum is a often used word for good reason.  It has been said that scoring is contagious and I’m sure when either of these breaks through there will be a flood of converted chances. It would seem not scoring is contagious as well.  In practice, the coaches diligently work on plays and strategies designed to prompt these breakthroughs.   The boys have practiced offensive zone break out drills and powerplay situations, while the girls have focused on creating scoring chances and going hard to the net.  Coaches hope the drills taught and lessons learned translate from practice to game.  It’s no doubt heartening to see when this is in fact the case.  A practiced tactic that makes its way into game-play proves the players were listening and learning.  That’s really the most you can ask of players.  Presumably with listening, learning and practice come execution; which will ultimately lead to the desired result; in the cases of these two teams…more goals.

The Devil’s coach has rightly surmised that part of their dilemma is a lack of power. He has suggested working on shooting at home into a net, against a wall, a garage door, etc. I’ve nailed two pucks together in an effort to strengthen the Devil’s shot. She has admittedly been negligent with the extra work, but has school basketball, homework and general kid stuff competing for her attention.  When we were kids (here comes my father’s voice again) we’d be out on the driveway or in the backyard practicing for what seemed like hours. But, in my case at least, there was far less to be distracted by.

Of course, as I recently watched the local NHL hockey team struggle through eight consecutive periods of scoreless hockey, I was quickly reminded that all teams, at all levels, are susceptible to lulls in execution.

So with no lack of effort or chances, perhaps the key is to simply continue to do the good things, limit the bad and wait for the flood gates to open. The hockey gods will smile upon you soon enough. If that doesn’t work, it’s back to the drawing board. We, perched in the stands, will do our best to will a few in.

#imahockeydad