Coach's Club

1. The Hockey Canada Player Development Pyramid was created to provide the coach with a comprehensive guideline to help develop a seasonal plan.  The natural progression starting at the base of the triangle emphasizes the development of fundamental skills.  Fundamental skills are the foundation of each player's success.

2. As the pyramid is climbed, a greater emphasis is placed on individual tactics; adding the dimension of "hockey sense" to skill development. Once the player has developed the skills of skating and puck handling then the individual tactic of puck control can be learned.  The player now understands the "why" of each tactic, i.e. the read and react skills are being developed.

3. Moving up the pyramid, players perform drills that will develop team tactics and systems.  The Bantam and Midget levels of hockey emphasize team performance practices. But even at this program level, time spent on team tactics and team play should not exceed 50-60% of the practice.  The coach, through practice must continue to develop the fundamental skills and individual tactics of each player which will lead into team tactics and systems of team play.

4. Strategy is the peak of the pyramid.  It sets the style of play that will combat the opposition.  The coach determines the strategy based upon their own philosophy, the age of the players, and the skill level of the team.  As player age and competitive levels increase, game strategies become more complex.

• Players will have the puck on their stick for an average of 8 seconds per game.

• Players will take an average of 1-2 shots per game

• Players take an average of 18 shifts per game.

• 99% of the feedback coaches give players is when they have the puck.  Ironically players only have the puck on their stick for 0.2% of the game.

"I think 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 practice to games is the way to go.  In practice, that's where you become a better hockey player.  You get to have the puck on your stick more and take more shots on net that in any game.  Even as a professional you don't have the puck on your stick that much, and at a young age it's crucial to develop your skills, you can't do that in an organized game."

"When they have too many games when they are young, they are going out trying to fulfill a role and trying to not make mistakes, and as a result they get very little skill improvement.  There is no use teaching team play, until the kids have reasonable mastery of skating, passing and puck control."

A PRACTICE BY THE NUMBERS

• 1 individual practice will give a player more skill development than 11 games collectively.

• Each player should have a puck on their stick for 8-12 minutes.

• Each player should have an minimum of 30 shots on goal.

• Players will miss the net over  30% of the time in a minor hockey practice

• Coaches should try to run 4-5 different drills/games/activities each practice.  More is not better; execution of what you do is development.

• No more than 5 minutes should be spent in front of a teaching board each practice.

• If you have 10 players on the ice, strive to keep 4-5 players moving at all times.

• If you have 15 players on the ice, strive to keep 9-10 players moving at all times.

• If you have 20 players on the ice, strive to keep 14-15 players moving at all times.

Teaching Tips

• Arrange players in a semi-circle in front of you.
• Position them so there are no distractions behind you.
• Scan your group as you talk. Make eye contact with all players.
• Ask questions to make sure players have understood you and know what is expected of them
• Give your players an opportunity to speak.
• Listen to what they say and how they say it.
• Speak to them using words they understand (keep it simple).
• Bend down, kneel or crouch so you can talk to them at their level
• Speak to every player at every session

• Give the "good" picture.  Demonstrate what you want, not what the player is doing incorrectly.
• Be positive.  Acknowledge what is being done well, then point out what should be worked on.
• Be specific.  Demonstrate exactly what it is you want done.
• Don't forget your goaltenders, they require equal feedback.