1. Planning and Executing an Effective Practice Roger Hunt Ass’t Coach / Director Player Development Oshawa Generals Hockey Club

2. THE START What is your vision for your team? How are you going to implement your vision? Creating your blueprint to build your vision We need to remember that we are ultimately teachers of the game and therefore ultimately students as well.

3. TODAY’S ATHLETE 1.Sheltered, smart, and busy 2. They’ve been told they are great and capable of almost anything 3.More worldly, sense of entitlement 4.RESILIENT? Lack of mental toughness? 5.My Space, Facebook, You Tube

4. “This is a very demanding decade for minor hockey coaches. As times get tough and money gets tighter, parents will have to make sacrifices to allow their children to play hockey. Therefore, the demands on coaches will be greater and expectations will increase. Only opening the gate and having fun will not be enough. The key to this decade will be the ability to teach.” Stan Butler

5. FACTORS TO CONSIDER The age of your players Their level of ability The number of players on your team Amount of time allotted for your practice How many practices per week, per month, per year Coaches – how many and level of experience The arena being used

6. RULES TO CONSIDER Coach is in control on the ice Discipline Whistle Practice board Your rules or guidelines should reflect the expectations that you have for your team overall, and should reflect your vision that is set out at the beginning of the season

7. DEVELOPING & IMPLEMENTING YOUR PRACTICE Discuss with staff what needs to be accomplished – work your vision (set objectives) Players need to know what they are going to be doing- they can sense disorganization Explain each drill clearly….give drills name Set time lines for each drill If drill is not going well, STOP IT What are your non-negotiables?

8. EVALUATION OF YOUR PRACTICE Coaching Sense Were objectives covered? Intensity Post practice discussion with coaches Transference to next game Revising

9. What makes a good practice? –flow vs. walk throughs –progression –relate to game situations –variety –intensity –discipline –repetition? –players have to want to come to practice

10. When planning practice I like to structure it in the following manner: 1.Warm up – skating/passing 2.Goalie warm up 3.Situational drills 4.Team play 5.Special teams 6.Positional skills 7.Fun? ***this is the framework I like to use and I use a variety of drills to accomplish this***

11. RESPONSIBILITY AS COACHES “Execution not excuses” Kids do not lack capacity, only teachers Structured environment Ability to respond Ask yourself why do I coach? Develop a philosophy CONTINUE LEARNING

12. “You will not get far using ‘old skates’----using old tactics, skills and techniques. What was considered the weapon of the strongest team yesterday, today becomes accessible to all. It is a fact that all teams try and learn from the champions. That is why if the champion wants to remain at the top, he must always be looking for some new ‘secret weapon’.” Anatoli Tarasov