Some Food For Hockey Thought
December 22, 2008 by Dennis Chighisola
The following video has had plenty of exposure over the past few years (as you might guess from the old CoachChic.com logo). I think it’s THAT important for players, parents and coaches to have a sense of its subject: mainly that some hockey training can actually be more effective when done away from the ice.
So, have a look, please (and I wouldn’t mind your comments or arguments on what some might see as a controversial subject)…
Nice video. I coach both at the Mite Select level and I’m the goalie coach for the Whitman-Hanson-Pembroke Girls Varsity team. I have eliminated the use of cones except 2 because as we all know the paint at most of the rinks we skate at need repainting. I use these cones for pivot drills more as markers than anything else. I have eliminated “the grinder drills” and have learned over the years to incorporate small area drills in which the players go 110%. They don’t know it but they are doing more skating in small bursts and enjoy the skating a lot more than the old “grinder style drills”. Over the years, since 1985 my approach to coaching has changed and I do credit a lot of the change (positive) to you and what I have learned from you. Keep up the great job.
Joe Coulter
Hi coach,
I remember those days 30 some odd years ago working outside in the parking lot of the old cohasset winter gardens. It looks like the kids are working in a newer enclosed atmosphere. I thought we had lots of hockey tools back then, now there appears to be even more for the kids these days.
Joe, thanks so much for that!!! As a matter of fact, your comment about the worn or faded lines in some rinks reminded me of a great idea I want to share with everyone in the Coaches’ Corner. Actually, our New England Hockey Institute goalie coach, Todd Jacobson, uses this idea even more than I do. So, since you also work with goaltenders, I think you’re going to love it!
Then, to Mike… It’s so true, in that there are countless new training devices and methods available today, most of these having a lot more science behind them. Also, I want to compliment you on something… For, while I don’t want to come-off sounding too harsh towards long-time hockey players, I find that a lot of guys who played back in the 1970s and ’80s don’t recognize what you did. I mean, there’s a whole new world of training methods available today, yet some of my older friends find it hard to get up-to-speed. So again, good for you, buddy!
Great video Coach. We practice and play down in the Houston, TX metro area and it’s difficult to find programs that teach your methods and training.
Best The Huie’s
The Woodlands, TX
Would you believe I have some great hockey friends between Austin and Houston? (I hope more ultimately join us here, too!)
As a matter of fact, a few years ago when I spoke at a coaching seminar in New Jersey, there was an enthusiast group of coaches from Texas in attendance. And I made a point of telling them what an advantage they had in using the information from my topic that night — about off-ice training and the use of in-lines for enhancing on-ice skills. I even went on to suggest that — given the decent climate in their area, Texas players could probably spend more time training than the kids I work with up in New England.
That said, I hope your son finds the contents of this site useful, and a good resource for things he could be doing outdoors on his own!
Thanks for writing, and please keep me posted on the state of hockey down their in The Lone Star State!
[...] I might mention one other thing…Â Just as I described in my video, “Some Food For Hockey Thought“, I’ll suggest that most major gains in the areas of speed, strength and agility are [...]