Dec 02, 2012 | danderson | 725 views
Black Bear Update
Hello everyone. Awhile ago I sent out an email explaining I would add this article. Well I have eventually made time to input it.
I have been involved with the GMHA for 6 years now, coaching in everyone of them at some level: from Hockey School to our AA program. I have to admit that coaching this years Black Bears is an extreme pleasure for me. It is probably the least stressful year to date in the hockey rink. I am currently a parent in the stands for my oldest son's AA team and am also enjoying it. Being a parent I hear and communicate with many other different parents of kids playing hockey at all ages and levels. The most talked about topic regarding the sport in my estimation would be about winning. I love competition and winning just as much as anyone but one thing I always keep in perspective is the children. Our team is comprised of six 2007 kids and 5 2006 kids. This is a very young hockey squad. At least half of these kids have asked me at the end of the game if they won the game. I am always honest with them and re-assure them that they are winners and to always keep smiling and have fun because they are doing extremely well at learning the best sport ever played. On that note I would like to encourage you to continue to be positive and support these children as it is sometimes challenging learning some of hockey's skills. I wanted to send this list of skills that have been introduced and taught. Not perfected but continually practicing them to become a good hockey player and a good teammate. My point is that all these children should be congratulated for learning or at least trying to learn these skills not whether they win or lose a hockey game especially at the minor tyke house league level. I want to thank you all for making this season non-stressful and allowing your children to progress with this years coaching staff. I am so proud.
Black Bears Practice Plan/Skills introduced and learning:
1. Basic hockey stance
2. Getting up/falling down
3. T-push
4. Gliding/2 foot, 1 foot
5. Edge control
6. Striding/scooting
7. Glide turns
8. 1 foot stop
9. 2 foot stop
10. Lateral movement/crossover
11. Puckhandling stance
12. Stationary stickhandling
13. Forehand shot
14. Skating with the puck
15. Backhand shot
16. Glide backwards
17. C-cuts
18. Backwards striding
19. Backwards v-stop
20. Weave with the puck
21. Skating and shooting
22. Tight turns
23. Forehand pass and receive
24. Backhand pass and receive
25. Pivoting
26. Face off alignment
And a very tough one that I am so proud of after today's game - Offsides.
All of these skills have either been introduced or will soon be. They are all part of this years Hockey Canada program. We will continue to practice them and get better at them. We will try our best to incorporate of all these skills into fun drills and games. We want these kids to love and enjoy playing this sport.
Have a great week and weekend and we will see you all on Dec 15. I will send out another email regarding a Christmas get together for the kids as soon as all details are finalized. Thank you folks