POLAR CAPSPractice Planning

Rich Smith

“Under pressure, you do not rise to the occasion; rather you sink to your level of

training.” Navy Top Gun School

What Types of Players are we trying to produce?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ChOFkwB0q0

How do we get there?

• “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.” Vince Lombardi

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=d29VsG35DQM

Components of Planning

• Philosophy• Evaluation… Player/Team/Game/Practice• Space• Time• Equipment availability• Number of coaches• Organization

Polar Cap Philosophy

• We added extra practice sessions at almost every level this year to improve the skill level of our players.

• At least 75% of your weekly practice time should be devoted to skill development.

• What is skill development?– Skating – Passing– Shooting

Evaluation

• If Practices are the lessons, games are the test.• How do we do on the tests?• What do our players need to improve on?• What do we need work on as a team?• If we can not break out, why is that

happening?• What do we struggle with in practice?

Space

• What Rink are we practicing on?– MIA Main– MIA Studio– Shell

• How many teams are on the ice?• Can we split the ice in a different way to work

for what we want to accomplish?

Time

• How many practices will you have this week?• How much time will you devote to different

aspects of the game?– Puckhandling?– Skating?– Shooting?– Passing– Team Play– SAG’s

Equipment

• What equipment is available for you to use?Pucks Skating AidsTires RopesCones Shooter TutorsRings Heavy PucksMini Nets MarkersMultiple Big Nets

Coaches

• How Many coaches will be on the ice with you?

• Make sure they all have a job.

Organization

• How will you group your team?• How will you split up the ice?• What can you do to create MAXIMUM

participation?

The Good StuffPlenty of good stuff out there, we just need to find it.

• http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/84462-skating-and-puck-handling

• http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/922547-body-contact-and-checking

• http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/922582-age-specific

• http://www.minnesotahockey.org/page/show/922583-more-videos

More Sites

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iEIdCo-Zug&list=PL11569B627057F442&index=10

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLCmEKLKlfQ

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jod0DMxxc3k

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SHCRXl1PP0

Final Thoughts

It is incumbent on a coach or club that their youngest players, often only 4-5 years old, develop a relationship with the ball, one where successful manipulation and retention of the ball becomes second nature. If this relationship is not developed… there will be major limitations in the ability of that player to progress beyond a certain point. The demands of sophisticated tactical play will be beyond them because they will not trust their feet enough to execute the requirements.

• The 4 Pillars of Youth Coaching• A well-rounded approach to developing a well-rounded

player by Ken Sweda | Monday, August 20, 2012

•Winning is the byproduct of many factors. One of the most important factors is well constructed and executed practices.