Coaches Tip’s

Coach Tip #8

The team that controls the puck the longest...WINS!

So how do you get your team to start thinking about controlling the puck?  Simple, promote two on ones.  In addition, one of the ways that I teach this is how I send my line into the attacking zone.

During the break out, teach your players to weave in the neutral zone.  When they weave, the man without the puck goes behind during the cross over.   If they skate up court in their skating lanes, they are playing what's called "Linear Hockey."  This type of skating is very easy for the other team to defend against and is easier to control your team.

During the cross over in the neutral zone, players can add a little confusion to the protecting defenseman.  Try to teach the puck carrier to carry the puck in on their off wing as they enter the attacking zone.

Coach Tip #9

When is it time to pull your goalie?

I use a "Four Goal Rule"- It goes something like this.

"Any Four goals scored in one period"...you’re gone!  Why?

If four goals are scored in the same period, team players have a tendency to start talking trash to each other about their impending doom of losing.

Sounds something like this:

Boy, our goalie sucks...

He can't stop a beach ball...

We might a well go home...

So to keep the trash talk from starting, you need to have a "mind change" of the team.  The way you change their attitude is to change the goalie.  Let the goalie know who going to start the game and that the Four Goal Rule is in effect.

Explain to them (when they get pulled) it is not because they are doing a bad job.(some days you're on and some days your not!)

Tell them that you are trying to jump-start your scoring line and to stay focused because they might go back in.

If you have two goalies, have them start every other game. It's only fair!

Their parents paid the same cash as the other goalie parents did.

At the beginning of the season, let both goalies know the rules.

Rule 1. Four Goal Rule will always be in effect.

Rule 2. The best goalie during play offs will start first.

Rule 3. If we make it to the Championship, our best goalie will start.

Use all of the stats to determine who your best goalie is!

Coach Tip #10

Ok! So you are losing 4 to 2 and you have 10 minutes left in the game.

What do you do?

First...

Call a time out! (don't wait until the last moment to get the team rallied, start early)

Second...

Tell them that you have been watching them play all season and that they are a "Third Period Team" (some kid will say..."what does that mean, coach")

You guys always come from behind in the third period to win. (positive reinforcement)

Third...

Ask them what the score is! (some kids will look at you funny and say...4 to 2, coach)  Nope... it's 2 to 0!  Break it down, it is easier for them to see that victory is still at hand.

Fourth...

Let the goalie know that you might pull him with a minute and a half left in the game. (again, don't wait until the last moment to pull the goalie...start a little early!)

Besides, what's it going to hurt?