ive hit a plateu

[saba 0]

I suffer from this at least once or twice a season. What I have found that works for me is to step away and fully immerse in another related but not exact sort of sport. For me its bike riding. I don't just go on a one off ride but have fully commited to a team, race, and train solo as well as group. Its important for me as a person who has always played a team sport to drop the team and concentrate on me the I. Hockey has so many pressures to perform and there are many divergent personalities to account for to have a successful team. In biking its all about what I can do, the dependance and measuremeant for success rests in my efforts alone. Second its a nice way of seeing some shit. I converse with cows, clouds, walkers, other bikers etc. all on my own time and only if I want to. The bike gig is also a great way to build up legs, from hill climbs with repeats, intervals, or group sprints, my leg bend and ability to cut up the ice has gotten much better since a serious commitment to the bike

So once my ice once or twice rolls around I appreciate the game more. Its like a step back for a minute let the steam out of the kettle and put my stick forward. I think its important to hit the ice at least once a week otherwise you drop so far back as fustration might set in. When I do get that ice time as others have suggested basics work, getting advice, and getting out of your hockey comfort zone are great pieces of advice

Just my .02

[usahockey22 0]

The kids I've coached told me they found that puckhandling was easier after using the heavy puck because there was less effort to it.

What age/level do you coach?

[SidCaeser 0]

I started playing hockey almost 5 years ago at the age of 30, and I played once a week in a league and the occasional pick-up game. This summer I've been playing 2-3 times a week, and I've hit the wall a few times over the years. (Once, I wanted to take up playing goalie because of my frustration.)

What I've been doing to improve my on ice skills is to work on a variety things off ice. I don't have the time or money for lessons or clinics. I jump rope & I am building the Russian Box for my garage. I also built a regulation size goal out of PVC pipes (@$25). I have also tried to work on the drills from the videos on USAHockey's website. I do not workout for hours every day, but I try to at least throw 50-75 pucks in the net each day. That only takes minutes. Once the box is built I will try & work on that every other day. What I do know is I can't get much better only playing hockey. I have to do something off-ice.

[iceburg19 1]

once a week on the ice..try to work on your edges and stride.(power skating)off ice ,put a program together..nutrition.. plyometrics,(work on your quick twitch muscles )work a circuit training program. a strong core goes along way.stick handle with a golf ball.shoot in your drive way or against a wall with a ice puck.there is so much you could do to get better. just remember why you play the game.because its fun.

[Chadd 916]

I just find that I need some time away from the game every once in a while. I'm getting fed up with the psychopaths on the ice and the rink/league that stopped doing anything about the idiots and the guys playing six levels below their ability.

The kids I've coached told me they found that puckhandling was easier after using the heavy puck because there was less effort to it.

What age/level do you coach?

I don't anymore, I got tired of the parents.

Prior to that junior high and high school. In this area there are a lot of programs without much talent, some kids never played before trying to go out and play at those levels. Unfortunately they were only getting one practice a week and a game or two once the season started.

[fatwabbit 93]

Want to improve your stick-handling? Buy a weighted puck, throw some cones on the ice, and start dangling in and out of the cones. Want to improve your legs? Get in the gym and ride the bike. It will keep your legs strong that when the end of the game comes, you're ready to keep playing another period.

Maybe use a weighted stick instead? I actually did some dry land training myself (actually playing hockey with the kid). The shaft I had was the heaviest I had around, and the blade was an old blade with only half the blade length. I taped about $4 worth of coins to the bottom end of the shaft, and puck handled with the half blade. You will definitely feel the weight difference, and after a while the arms started to ache. Playing hockey with the kid just keeps your mind off the muscles, and concentrate on having fun instead. I've felt the difference in a game situation, now being able to control the puck with one hand, instead of always using two.

[BlackIce 1]

To get better, simply put I have found the following useful....

- Get extra training on the ice where possible with a decent coach

- Watch pro games, NHL, hell even the next level above you. You will learn no matter what.

- Get a personal trainer, even if just for a session or two, they will give you a program specific to your needs. This will help you get more out of things when on the ice.

- Read books about hockey. Whether its a Bio (rec. Mark Messier or Pavel Bure) coaching book or even something on the Psychology of Winning Hockey. Its all relevant.

- Talk to guys around you about your play, they maybe able to offer a different perspective.

- Make sure you enjoy every moment on the ice. This is important if the heart isn't in it even 1% less its going to mean a big reduction in lots of things.

- Take breaks between sessions, if its a couple of days or even weeks on the odd occasion it will help boost your drive to get better.

- When you screw up, blow a tyre, miss an open net, etc. laugh about it. Take the seriousness out of hockey and you will improve without noticing.

+1 I find talking to guys who are better than me, really helps a lot as they can see things in your game that you may not see or want to see. At times, it might be hard accepting constructive criticism. I also found that getting to know a goalie whom you play against or you see at pick up can really help you with your shooting.

[usahockey22 0]

I don't anymore, I got tired of the parents.

This seems to be a common theme in youth hockey; the parents drive out the good coaches, and the kids end up getting screwed. Our youth hockey organization tried something a bit different this year for the high schoolers. The board was deciding between 3 different coaches, and they had a "meet and greet" for the prospective players and the 3 prospective coaches, no parents allowed. After this, the players gave their feedback to the board for the coaching decision. First time I've ever heard of the coaches having to go through tryouts instead of the players, but it will be interesting to see how that works out.

[Jarick 5]

Ever try switching positions for a season?

I played wing/center for two years and was pretty stagnant in my performance. Averaged about half a point per game over 50 games or so. Just never seemed to break out like I'd hoped.

This summer I moved back to defense and I've put up 9 points in 4 games. It's completely different and it feels a lot more exciting and challenging. I think a big part is that it plays to my strengths (decision making, reading plays, shooting the puck) and against my weaknesses (less skating, relying on teammates to make plays). But it's forcing me to improve my passing game, building trust, watching the front of the net, etc.

It doesn't really hurt, I suppose if you're in beer league you're not trying to make it big, so it's worth a shot.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Want to improve your stick-handling? Buy a weighted puck, throw some cones on the ice, and start dangling in and out of the cones. Want to improve your legs? Get in the gym and ride the bike. It will keep your legs strong that when the end of the game comes, you're ready to keep playing another period.

Maybe use a weighted stick instead? I actually did some dry land training myself (actually playing hockey with the kid). The shaft I had was the heaviest I had around, and the blade was an old blade with only half the blade length. I taped about $4 worth of coins to the bottom end of the shaft, and puck handled with the half blade. You will definitely feel the weight difference, and after a while the arms started to ache. Playing hockey with the kid just keeps your mind off the muscles, and concentrate on having fun instead. I've felt the difference in a game situation, now being able to control the puck with one hand, instead of always using two.

I agree. for a while I would tape four pucks to the shaft of my backup stick down near the blade, and stickhandle during sticks and pucks and warmups. I also threw a baseball bat donut on their once, but it moved around too much and got in the way. Anyway I felt I gained more from the weighted stick than using the orange pucks. Besides, Bobby Orr did it...

[Aussie Joe 0]

I don't anymore, I got tired of the parents.

This seems to be a common theme in youth hockey; the parents drive out the good coaches, and the kids end up getting screwed. Our youth hockey organization tried something a bit different this year for the high schoolers. The board was deciding between 3 different coaches, and they had a "meet and greet" for the prospective players and the 3 prospective coaches, no parents allowed. After this, the players gave their feedback to the board for the coaching decision. First time I've ever heard of the coaches having to go through tryouts instead of the players, but it will be interesting to see how that works out.

Past two seasons I have been extremely lucky to not encounter any over the top parents. The current league I am in is very clear on the behavior expected from all parents. They have banned fathers/mothers before and that has set a good tone for the future.

I will say this however, I have encountered some nightmares and Chadd isn't alone in his thoughts.