Deliver the Message
It’s hard for young players to develop when they hear constant criticism from coaches especially when they make the right plays and decisions out there even if they don’t always materialize.
I guess it’s all in the messaging these days.
One of my former student teachers had this to say about kids these days and communication.
“I think thats something we are terribly lacking in all areas of life right now, true authentic communication and honesty.”
“Kids need clear direction right now more than ever, and so do adults. So funny how we have more ways to communicate now than ever, yet it is still lacking.”
With all we know about kids and communication it’s still difficult to comprehend why the lines of communication can be blurred.
Messaging matters.
Coaches are allowed to be pissed off and frustrated, and it’s entirely up to them how they want to deliver their message, at the end of the day hopefully the player understands and grows from their message.
How would you feel if no matter what you did or how you did it you got blasted?
I guess that’s the question the player and coach have to answer.
Open Your Eyes Ref
Showcase tournaments showcase players, but they also showcase officials.
Things aren’t always black or white.
The refereeing fraternity is struggling, yelling at them doesn’t help.
“Open your eyes.”
Hockey crazed parents see the officials on the ice, but they don’t always see the sacrifices. They don’t see the hours upon hours spent on the ice or behind the scenes at showcase tournaments or during the regular season.
The argument that “they’re the only ones on the ice getting paid, they should do a better job” is a bunch of shit.
Have the officials missed some calls yes, definitely they have, but they’re pulled very thin right now to make showcase tournaments like the Monctonian work.
Let’s understand the officials situation, let’s cut them some slack, let’s try to be a part of solution to the referring shortage in our game rather than yelling and screaming at the officials we have right now.
Would you want people yelling at your kid if they were out there?
Oh and by the way the other refs out there have taken time off work to ref games so you could have a tournament, so let’s think twice before blasting them nonstop.
The Drop of the Puck
At the drop of the puck everything happens, but it’s surprising to see so many young aspiring player cheat on face off assignments.
There’s no question that aspect of the game must drive coaches crazy, but I really can’t get over the lack of awareness, defensive responsibility and accountability in the face off dot.
Obviously, everyone wants to play fast these days, but teams are continually getting beat and exposed on face offs in all three zones.
The little things matter more as you climb each rung of the ladder. At the next level, players won’t play they become a liability if and when they cheat especially in face offs.
As the weekend progresses you will witness all of the most successful teams execute their game plan and structures in every zone.
Skill and execution will win you hockey games, a focus on the little things and attention to detail win you the hockey games that matter most!
FDS Sports Blog 