Words From Coach

 Coach

John Wooden, affectionately known as Coach,
led UCLA to record wins that are still unmatched in the world of
basketball. Throughout his long life, he shared the values and life
lessons he passed to his players, emphasizing success that’s about much
more than winning.

His ideology is summed up quite well by his often-quoted definition of success: 

"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in

knowing you made the effort to become the best that you are capable of

becoming."

John Wooden's Pyramid of Success, is an invaluable coaching and teaching tool used by countless teams and organizations.

 The book,"Wooden on Leadership" was one of the door prizes at our last clinic and is a book that I highly recommend for any coach at any level.

Video of the Week

Stride Mechanics 

 A big thank you to all of the NGHA  coaches that attended our clinic last night. It is inspiring to see the community of coaches and learners that is developing  within our organization. Our girls are extremely lucky to have a group of such dedicated,and invested coaches to guide them on their journey as developing athletes.

Here is a great video that supplement the "Stride Mechanics" you participated in last night.

Also, please see the link below to the website that demonstrates proper stick length for optimal puck handling.

 Link to: Proper Hockey Stick Length

Upcoming NGHA Coaches Clinic: Back to Basics, a focus on fundamentals....

Coach Development: Clinic #2 - Monday, November 17, 2014  

Coaches,
Please join us  Monday November 17th at the Nepean Sportsplex, Arena #3  for the next in our series of NGHA Coaches Clinics.

During this clinic we will be focused on teaching the fundamental skills and athletic movements of forward and backward stride, passing, and shooting, as well as the dynamic movements involved in power turns, crosscuts, stops and starts.

We will be discussing the key points in teaching these skills, and what coaches should be looking for in their players during practices. We will also discuss how to implement skill based practices to ensure that the development of these fundamental skills are at the core of each players development. 

This is a great clinic for all assistant coaches and on ice staff to attend as you do a huge amount of the correcting during practices.

The Coach Development Team will also be addressing our development philosophy and how best to ensure that all of us are working together to best develop our NGHA players.

Please be sure to:

1. Let us know you will be coming by emailing coachdev@ngha.ca
2. Arrive at the Sportsplex by 8:25
3. Bring your gear because you will be going on the ice

See you Monday,
Coach Development Team

 
 
 

Video of the Week

 From Child's View, Parents Find Full-Ice Hockey No Fun  

 Great video from USA Hockey that exemplifies what hockey looks like from a child's point of view. Hockey parents and coaches were exposed to hockey from the perspective of young hockey players. Enjoy, and gain a new perspective on what our youngest players experience!

Drill of the Week

Roller Coaster Transition Skating

 This is a really great drill for your D as it targets the development of both transitions from forwards to backwards skating, as well as gap control. The added bonus is that the video features Geraldine Heaney, a former women's Olympian so if you send the video out to your girls, the skill is being delivered and demonstrated by a great female role model. 

Roller Coaster Transitions Drill

We've used this drill from Atom all the way up to the Pro level so it should work for most of you. A couple of progressions we've used  are:

1. Unlike the video, pylons are placed in their pattern across the width of the ice so that the player's path is up and down the ice while eventually moving across the width of the ice (board to board). We then vary the distance between pylons so that the transitions take place at different levels and there are a variety of distances up and down the ice for the D to cover
2.  Using the same direction and pattern above, the Roller Coaster is finished  as a 1 on 1 so that coming out of the last transition the D angles the forward to boards and takes away all space, shutting down the lane

Gap control is difficult to master and involves the combination of many technical skills that players must continue to develop. This is a straightforward drill that will help your D put those skills into play!