Hockey Sense

[SolarWind 23]

Search didn't reveal anything so here it goes:

how do you teach the damn thing to younger players (9-10) and similarly to adults that are new to the game?

With enough knowledge technical skills can be fairly easily broken down into bite-size consumable pieces, but what about timing? Positioning? Read & React? the permutations of various situations on the ice are so large that it feels like an insurmountable task hence the question:

what's the most efficient (ie leading to fastest results) way to coach hockey sense?

Thanks!

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

I would say small area games, more touches of the puck.

[Capt.Hook 23]

Definitely small area games, especially with feedback and coaching. They can also be tailored to instruct aspects of whatever you are trying to teach. My son played a lot of roller hockey in the street before ever getting on the ice and that helped his basic hockey sense tremendously when he joined a team.

[Chadd 916]

experience is the only way to learn those things. As mentioned, small area games are thought to be the best way to do that. It's far easier to coach a system than to teach players how to be aware. That's why so many coaches take that shortcut.

[BarDownGinos 3]

I would say small area games, more touches of the puck.

Thank you USA Hockey for your thoughts......

In all seriousness though, it's a valid point. More touches helps, and playing small area games increases the amount you get to touch the puck.

It comes down to time on the ice and a kid being able to grasp what's happening. You can't really teach hockey sense, a player has to figure that out for their themselves. It comes from hundreds and thousands of hours on the ice and it comes from playing with guys who already have it.

I live in an area of California now that has only had hockey for a decade or so. There are players here with tremendous skills, but zero hockey sense. It's awesome that you can do forehand and backhand toedrags right into a spin o rama all day long, but if you don't know how to use it properly, it's pretty easy to stand in front of you and poke the puck away. Although my favorite example is probably the 3 on 1 where all 3 players come into the zone in line with each other yet they get frustrated when they can't get a pass across.

Bottom line, it comes down to time. TIme by yourself, time with coaches, time with better players, and time just playing the game and sorting it out for yourself.

[Husker 0]

It's a tough thing to teach. I don't think it's something that can be worked on in practice. It's really something players either have, or don't. Good positioning can mask bad hockey sense.

On the other hand, Hockey "Sense" is something that you can get a player to realize with constant feedback after every shift and every drill. Little things like taking 1 or 2 seconds before making a breakout pass. Not treating the puck like a hot potato. Watching the four players without the puck. Fastest/Easiest play being the best play. Keeping your stick on the ice.

[Tailboard Jockey 25]

Thank you USA Hockey for your thoughts......

LOL I'm about halfway through doing my online recert for bantam age-specific. I just finished up the pee wee age-specific module online. I can't seem to get that stuff out of my head, I've been seeing so much of it.

[tareatingrat 4]

From my very minimal "coaching" experience: You really can't teach it, but I do think kids can develop it on their own. My personal hockey sense improved tremendously just from playing three or four times a week for a few years.

It's not just hockey sense, though. The kids I found who were the most skilled and had the best vision/sense on the ice played a number of different sports from a young age.

How do you encourage kids to develop that all-around athletic sense and interest in participating/practicing outside of the formal training, though? I don't know if you can. Unless it's intrinsic and a natural talent, I think you simply need a dedicated kid.

[BoDangles 0]

Really something a player has to develop over time and with experience.

A few small things that can help encourage a players towards developing their hockey sense is practice and feedback. A lot of positioning drills will help players develop a sense of where they should be positioned on the ice.

Other drills like shortening the rink and having drills where every guy on the line has to touch the puck before taking a shot. This makes players get their heads up and look at the options.

Overtime, small things like this will help players make their own decisions, which leads to hockey sense.

[Machinehead2k5 32]

Another one is keeping your head up and trying to have them memorize where other players are. Have someone at the center ice faceoff circle with a puck. the other four players move about where they would be in terms of actual gameplay. Coach has PlayerPuck memorize where everyone is and labels them A, B, C, D. Then have the person with the puck spin around with their eyes closed, while keeping them closed and tell them what direction they are pointing, to pass the puck to Player A (attacking blueline) etc.

[ktang 34]

"The best drill in hockey is shinny!" I think that's from Bob Johnson...

[Chadd 916]

"The best drill in hockey is shinny!" I think that's from Bob Johnson...

More playing, less coaches and parents

[BoDangles 0]

More playing, less coaches and parents

Reminds me of the documentary called "Pond Hockey".

[Jordan 13]

Two thoughts...

1) when my son was in novice, they did a lot of scrimmaging with several coaches on the ice. One skating on each side, and one floating around near the D (on each side)...they would encourage the player...." get open", "go to the net", "pass", "shoot", take the puck carrier', "get back"..."the puck carrier is yours"...gave kind of a format to the players.

2) IMHO a ton of shinny. NO INSTRUCTION. I know that this is the opposite of the above idea, but I think that the combination is what works...the freedom, and the lack of concern about mistakes is very valuable. It builds the ability to anticipate.

[wrangler 157]

One thing I've always liked to do is to take the initiative. For example, at the right time, I'll make a quick move toward the puck carrier, and by the time he's reacting, I'm already moving back to cover the other guy. If I can sucker him properly, I'm just in time to take away the pass, or tie up the other guy as he gets the puck, keeping him from a good shot.

[romdj 26]

A few things:

From my very minimal "coaching" experience: You really can't teach it, but I do think kids can develop it on their own. My personal hockey sense improved tremendously just from playing three or four times a week for a few years.

It's not just hockey sense, though. The kids I found who were the most skilled and had the best vision/sense on the ice played a number of different sports from a young age.

How do you encourage kids to develop that all-around athletic sense and interest in participating/practicing outside of the formal training, though? I don't know if you can. Unless it's intrinsic and a natural talent, I think you simply need a dedicated kid.

I do agree with the "multi-sport" aspect that improves your game.

Also I think it's also good to determine qualities and weaknesses of each player and focus on that. playmakers to be better playmakers and better passes/vision/anticipation. Scorer, positionning, anticipation get away from marker... etc etc, there are combinations of that and all.. sometimes playing a soccer, basketball,lacrosse game can show different skills and abilities of each and every player...

But yeah I'd suggest video too, watching nhl games and specific videos you could relate to and what not.

just putting ideas on the table there, no real coaching experience, although I'm pretty attracted to the idea...