21 Speed That’s the Ticket: 50 Ways to Score More Goals

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Video: Quick Shot

I often run this ‘Shoot and Break‘ drill in my practice.  I like it because it does 2 things:

1. Focuses on the drive toward the net and a quick shot
2. Breaking out with speed

In Game 1 of the Blues/Kings game, I saw a great example of how the first half of this drill works and how it can be effective.  While it didn’t result in a goal this time, most times it would.

Watch the video as the play develops from about 6 second in to 10 seconds. Not a lot of time but you see how quickly Scwartz comes down the circle and to the net.  Keys to the play:

1. Schwartz is skating hard
2. Schwartz has his stick down and in front of him ready for the quick shot
3. Notice there is no catching the pass, stick-handling the puck
4. Steen has his head up and make the perfect pass so Schwartz can shoot quickly

Play Manager Coaching Software now a FREE Download

I just saw this yesterday and wanted to pass it along to all the readers. I’ve used the Play Manager software for years to do drill and system animations for my teams and now the developers have made the program available for FREE. You can use this software to also draw out your drills/systems and print them with the added bonus of creating animations as well. The software takes a little time to learn, but so do all animation packages, but once you learn how to use it, it can be very helpful. The developers stopped making updates to the program a few years ago but it still works fine. Bottom line is that it’s free and can be used for animations and drill drawing so it’s worth a look. Go to www.playmanager.com or click the image below.

Couple this software with some basic free screen capture software like Techsmiths Jing and a YouTube account and you can post your drills online for your team to watch.

20 Be on Target: 50 Ways to Score More Goals

20 Be on Target: 50 Ways to Score More Goals

Pylon Plus Review

The Pylon Plus can be a Great Way to Add Diversity to your Drills

I recently had a chance to check out the Pylon Plus. It’s a great little product, and gives you an easy way to add some diversity to your drills!

What you get
The Pylon Plus comes with the following items:

• 8 weighted pylons
• 8 plug inserts
• 6 extendable hurdles
• 1 durable carry bag
• Instructional booklet with sample drills

Benefits of the Pylon Plus:

• Kit extends up to 17 feet (over 5 m)
• Can be used on or off ice
• Collapsible for easy transportation

My Experience
I used the Pylon Plus for the first time during a camp I was running. I hadn’t messed with it before, and didn’t set it up properly. This made for a very sub-par experience. However, I realized afterward that I hadn’t pushed the insert plugs in far enough, which made it so the slightest bump would blow the whole unit appart.

After proper assembly, the Pylon Plus is actually quite durable, and can withstand a pretty good jolt without falling appart. So make sure you get those insert plugs set properly, and you’ll have a great time using this one!

What evaluators look for during try-outs

I’ve been asked a lot over the years what I look for in a player during evaluations.  After watching my son during various AA & AAA Ice try-outs, I’ve been thinking more about this topic and wanted to share a bit of what I look for and some other information that I’ve found or has been shared with me.

My friend Graham Acres (gacres99) also shared his thoughts with me.

1. Whatever it is you believe you do best, do that every shift.
2. Listen to what the coaches ask you to do and do that
3. Bring energy and never stop working every shift. Regardless of talent, coaches are attracted to kids who consistently work hard. 

All good advice and greatly appreciated.  So what is it that I look for when I run my evaluations?  I can teach you to shoot, pass and skate.  It’s those intangibles that will earn you a spot on my team.

1. Aggressive play – Be willing to battle for pucks. If you are on the forecheck, get on the puck.  Don’t sit back and wait for them to come to you.
2. Backchecking –  If you won’t backcheck, it’s the fastest way to get off my list.  I need you to skate harder than you’ve ever skated when you are backchecking.  It makes a HUGE difference.
3. Don’t give up – I don’t care if you just messed up, mistakes happen.  It’s what you do after that mistake that I look at. Did you slam your stick? Throw you head back?  Yell?  Get back in the play and make up for the mistake you made.  No one will remember the mistake if you made if you hustle back and make a difference in the play.
4. Come out to Earn your spot – Don’t think because you’ve been playing for xx number of years, you deserve a spot on the team.  No on deserves a spot, you earn it. Everyone there is fighting for your spot, go out and get it. 
5. Communicate – Talk to the coaches. Talk to the other players.  Talk when you are on the rink and involved in the play.  Call for pucks, direct the play.  Be vocal.
6. Don’t be selfish – Yes it’s a tryout to earn a spot on a team, but that doesn’t mean showing off your ability to skate through every player every time with your head down.  Be a play maker.   Make passes. Make good decisions.

A few tips for trying out:

1.  Relax and have fun.  I know it’s easier said than done but remember, you can play the game so just go out and do your thing.  
2. If a coach gives you some advice, make sure you go out and do that.  They are hinting to you of what they want to see you do.  At least try to do it. It shows you are coachable.
3. If a coach asks you to play a position like Defense, please, under no circumstances respond ‘I’m a forward’ or ‘My Dad says I’m a forward’.  Just go out and do it.  Coaches want a team player.

A few other resources that give some inside can be found at:
Inside Edge
Ontario Minor Hockey Association.

Try to remember these tips as you go through your try-outs.  Good luck.

19 Make Time for Practice: 50 Ways to Score More Goals

Luc Robitaille Celebrity Shootout 2013 Highlights

A highlight reel from the 2013 Luc Robitaille Celebrity Shootout hockey game in Park City, Utah. The song is by … Continue Reading

18 Shoot the Puck: 50 Ways to Score More Goals