My actual rec hockey team, post-winning the league w/ 7 skaters. ...Kings socks?
Last night I helped coach an adult hockey class in Phoenix (Gilbert, specifically), and it’s not an easy task.
The toughest thing to remember for myself at these things is that drill comprehension is not something innate, it’s something you learn over years and years of practicing. Every drill has a natural pattern, a flow, and sometimes you find adult rec players who haven’t done drills in decades – lawyers, doctors, and registered mensa members – completely befuddled by a concept like YOU’RE UP DUDE, GO.
I take for granted that this is something I understand that others easily could if they were just exposed to it, so….it’s summer. Let’s expose you to some stuff. Old, young, whatever. Let’s talk our level of hockey, not pro hockey.
The Systems Analyst posts I wrote during the season were well received, but I think they’re best read from the angle of the fan, trying to watch and accurately follow NHL games. But when it comes to the level most of us play, the strategy isn’t going to be the same as the pros. That guy in your Pee Wee league or that guy in your 50-and-over league simply isn’t blasting home too many Jason Garrison-level slappers from the point. As a winger, you can be aware of him, but help low (within reason) whenever you feel the need to. Some things like that are just different.
So, here are the five things that made me speak up while being a “co-coach” last night that can hopefully help. I’ve mentioned most of these things in posts before, but whatever – if one is new, it should help you.
