Favorite coaching pants?

I like the Bauer ones, except I don't like the $70 price.  What else are people using?

I'd prefer something with a little insulation and a little water/snow repellent.

Mark

So, I'm eager to hearing from others and watching the forum. I don't log in much as I'm busy but it'll be fun. Thanks. 

Andy in Peoria

When we run scrimmages they are extremely unstructured since it's the first year of organized hockey for more players, and majority are still just getting basics of skating/stickhandling so there is definitely zero awareness of any positioning or team play. As a result there is quite a discrepancy in the skill level between players since some of them had a head start while others just learning to skate. During a scrimmage with the exception of few timid outliers who are just doing their own thing, the rest of the 'pack' is usually chasing the puck. Once they all converge on it usually it results in a pile up, and most of the time one of the players just whacks the pack and it flies away in some random direction followed by the puck. This makes it really tough to 'read the game' for anyone due to pretty high degree of randomness to it. Players tend to fight for the puck even on the same team and passing is non-existent. 

Apparently this makes it quite frustrating for stronger players since unless they get to the puck ahead of the 'pack' and manage to skate in the open, or the puck just happens to pop to them, they really struggle to create any plays because puck movements are not very predictable and threats are abundant while the support is scarce.

Anyone who coached younger players must have observed it so the description of the chaos above is probably redundant. LOL

So my question is - what Individual guidance/instructions/strategy can we provide to stronger players to help them with their frustration?

I'm looking for examples of skating exercise ideas for little beginner hockey players (5-7 years old).

Exercises, skating games, ...

Do you know any sites that reference this?

Is anyone experiencing similar change within their youth programs or aware of any technical based data that provides evidence that a in house/no travel policy is working?  USA hockey has provided evidence that growth is attributed to other programs like USA Hockey 2 & 2 Challenges, Hockey for free programs, various learn to play programs, equipment grant programs, etc. but where is the evidence on in house league's? 

So I'm looking for advice, I recently wanted to give a shot at being an assistant coach for my now ex-team (quite competitive, players aged 18 - 25), I was a 4th line player on that group last year due to mostly lack of skill.

The coach there is solid hockey-wise, and I believe we share the same mindset when it comes to player development and team projection, so I offered him to help out, and I'm going to have a one-shot opportunity to take part in a couple of practices as an assistant.

Personally, I'm a pretty receptive guy that likes to read people, and playing with this group for a year lead me to get to know the players pretty well. I also like to know group/team dynamics etc..

Usually, I like to take my time to observe and give feedback here and there (1-1 confidence boost and I'm still thinking about other stuff I can do to contribute).

I was planning on taking some sports psychology moocs but the timeframe is rather short.

Basically, I would like to have a bit of advice on how to not ruin this opportunity considering that I have limited hockey knowledge (I picked up the sport later in life and rarely was part of an organized team).

• What is usually expected of an assistant coach in minor leagues?
• How can I change my perception from the player that I was last year to a different status this year?
• More generally, what would be your advice for me to make the most of this opportunity?

Thanks a lot!

Is it appropriate to continue splitting players into groups by skill set during station based training's at this age level?

So, I chose to title this pretty broadly as it might lead to a more productive discussion and eventual resource for others. If a mod disagrees, I can change the title (can I? Maybe you can instead?).

I primarily work with goalies, and like to make use of a tablet for immediate video feedback. The problem is, the camera's on tablets are generally crap unless you spend a decent amount of money (and risk a greater loss when the inevitable puck/body catches it). Does anyone else use some sort of video/screen set up on the ice or bench during practice and have any suggestions for something that A) can produce adequate video for viewing immediately, and B) doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks.

But literally anouther 1/8” or 1/4” and it would have been my eye.  Just a reminder to be careful!

Hopefully other coaches will join in and create a cool forum where we can exchange ideas, give feedback, and generally help us become better coaches and ambassadors of the game.

Also...I hope that, in time, this can become a place where players, parents, and friends can come and get answers to general questions that they may not otherwise be able (or willing...) to ask their coach.

(Please note that I emphasize 'general' in the above, because there's no way anyone here can give answers to specific questions pertaining to individual teams or situations that we're not part of.  Put differently, it's unreasonable to ask how to approach your kid's coach about putting Jimmy, Mikey, and Bobby on the same line.  Without actually coaching Jimmy, Mikey, and Bobby's team, no one on an internet forum can hope to give an answer to something that, ultimately, should be left to the coach's prerogative...)

Anyway.  Personally, I'm a full-time youth/minor hockey coach, currently coaching club 8UA, 10UBB and A, and assistant coaching 14UA and 16UA.  Previously, I've coached 14U Tier 1 AAA, 12U Tier 2 AA, and local high school hockey; but have taken time away from the more travel-intensive teams to concentrate on building our club's younger levels.  (Plus, I have an 8 year old, and having to miss more games of his than I attended wasn't working for me anymore...)

Other coaches, jump in!  Sound off!  Let's go!  It's state tournament time...how are your teams looking???

Anyone have any ideas for good drills for a 8U roller team, players range in skill from very good to never having played. 

Would simply sticking to a “play your position” sort of thing be easier?

If playing a system or scheme would be worth it, what would be best?

Our problem is largely D zone related. Turnovers, chasing the puck, collapsing in and lack of a solid break out. Our goaltending isn’t helping the cause but that’s another story. I thought the Box +1 approach would be ideal. It’s simple enough to understand, but implementing any sort of structure in beer league play is tough.

Anyway, wouldnto hear some thoughts from the coaches out there.

So for all you coaches out there... It would be awesome if there was a section here on "general hockey IQ / practices".  Stuff like the D-zone faceoff line up that was discussed on one of the topics, basic ways to transition through the neutral zone, how to breakout, etc.

It would be even more awesome if there was a guided structure to that, so that important/building block stuff was first, before diving into the weeds on something more advanced that would really only apply once everyone was playing at a high level.

As to "why?"...  I've noticed a really clear difference between folks that started as an adult like I did (a couple years ago) and folks that played organized hockey as kids (pretty much regardless of level).  I've literally never had a coach explain/reinforce 'team' concepts.  Individual skills is easier to get, and that seems to be the main focus for most 'adult skills' classes, but the how to work as a team stuff (is that what everyone means when they say "systems"?) basically seems ignored.  And now that I'm playing a bit better, I notice more and more that what's holding me back is less individual skills and more "I don't know what to do".
 

Anyway, it would be super helpful to a guy like me.

Mark