Development

[offsides]

When reading some of the recent threads such as NDP tryouts, spring tournaments, AAA teams, etc., the word development is used quite a bit. Most true development doesn't take over a weekend, or week-long events or even during a spring or summer league. Skill development takes place only after proper technique is repeated over and over and over. Hockey is a sport where an amazing number of skill sets combine. Skating, shooting and puck handling are the core skills and each can be broken down into sub sets.

Puck handling is done on the forehand, backhand, with the toe and the heel, and with expansions of reach 360 degrees around the body -- all without looking and based on touch and feel. Passes must be made and received, an important part of puck handling. Shots come from the forehand and backhand with multiple techniques -- slap, snap, wrist, pull wrist, flip, etc. Again, based on touch and feel with the right stick and with raw power. How in the world are we going to develop all these skills in a weekend, a week, or even a summer. We won't. There isn't enough time, money, or organized ice. And I haven't even mentioned skating skill development. Whew!

The good news is that after proper techniques are learned, skill development can be inexpensive, and on avg., not all that time consuming. Consistent effort is required. Most elite players become elite by putting in the effort without a coach or a sheet of ice in sight!

If you want to become an exceptional shooter, you've got to shoot at home. Learn the proper technique and shoot, shoot, shoot. And get the right stick. It's amazing how many kids use the wrong stick.

Stick handling at home is also a must. How much time do coaches put into stationary puck handling drills? Very little. Ice is too expensive. The importance of stationary puck handling drills with the proper form and technique, and with top-hand emphasis, cannot be overstated. Puck handling skills translate into playmaking skills. Proper puck skills/drills require the head be up -- playmaking is impossible with the head down - a problem seen all too much in the girls' game. There's an old story about a very prominenet former Gopher player who did his puck drills while watching a TV mounted at eye level. You can't watch the puck and TV at the same time. Interesting.

Because this is getting so long winded, I won't get into skating but to say there are at-home drills to help build strength, quickness, and agility. That said, skating development obviously requires lots of time on the ice, as well.

If a player can combine puck handling and shooting for a little as 30-40 minutes every other day the skill development in these areas will come. It takes year-long effort and dedication, not coaches, ice and tourneys.

[joehockey]

When reading some of the recent threads such as NDP tryouts, spring tournaments, AAA teams, etc., the word development is used quite a bit. Most true development doesn't take over a weekend, or week-long events or even during a spring or summer league. Skill development takes place only after proper technique is repeated over and over and over. Hockey is a sport where an amazing number of skill sets combine. Skating, shooting and puck handling are the core skills and each can be broken down into sub sets.

Puck handling is done on the forehand, backhand, with the toe and the heel, and with expansions of reach 360 degrees around the body -- all without looking and based on touch and feel. Passes must be made and received, an important part of puck handling. Shots come from the forehand and backhand with multiple techniques -- slap, snap, wrist, pull wrist, flip, etc. Again, based on touch and feel with the right stick and with raw power. How in the world are we going to develop all these skills in a weekend, a week, or even a summer. We won't. There isn't enough time, money, or organized ice. And I haven't even mentioned skating skill development. Whew!

The good news is that after proper techniques are learned, skill development can be inexpensive, and on avg., not all that time consuming. Consistent effort is required. Most elite players become elite by putting in the effort without a coach or a sheet of ice in sight!

If you want to become an exceptional shooter, you've got to shoot at home. Learn the proper technique and shoot, shoot, shoot. And get the right stick. It's amazing how many kids use the wrong stick.

Stick handling at home is also a must. How much time do coaches put into stationary puck handling drills? Very little. Ice is too expensive. The importance of stationary puck handling drills with the proper form and technique, and with top-hand emphasis, cannot be overstated. Puck handling skills translate into playmaking skills. Proper puck skills/drills require the head be up -- playmaking is impossible with the head down - a problem seen all too much in the girls' game. There's an old story about a very prominenet former Gopher player who did his puck drills while watching a TV mounted at eye level. You can't watch the puck and TV at the same time. Interesting.

Because this is getting so long winded, I won't get into skating but to say there are at-home drills to help build strength, quickness, and agility. That said, skating development obviously requires lots of time on the ice, as well.

If a player can combine puck handling and shooting for a little as 30-40 minutes every other day the skill development in these areas will come. It takes year-long effort and dedication, not coaches, ice and tourneys.

Great stuff! As they say there is no shortcut to success - a player can test improvement at Phase Tryouts or the Two Nations League but they aren't going to really improve.

Talk to a college or HS coach and the first advice they will give is shoot pucks 5,000 or 10,000 or as Ashley Nixon did 50,000 over the summer - cost is relatively low and return is very high. Agreed on technique and proper stick - Scott Bjustad will say over 80% of kids who come for his shooting instruction have the wrong stick.

Stickhandling can be done in 10-20 minutes a day. Watch Sara Erickson before a HS game she has a regimented process of 20-30 minutes that she does before every game imagine what her at home work must be. She became MS Hockey a Gopher and a top U18 USA player from her hours of hard work.

Skating is the greatest sort for all the players - but how many will really do something to improve their skating this summer?

As I look at the girls who are top HS or U16 or U17 players going to NDP or who were Phase III (that I have watched since they were U12) they have all worked to become physically stronger - you can see it in their play - they go through people and around people at near reckless speed - they leave the other player on the ice. Again getting physically stronger is a low cost investment that doesn't require a lot of cost or time.

[rinkrat90]

I once heard an interesting exchange between a couple ex-Northstars regarding development and hockey camps. The gist of the conversation was that development camps couldn't turn an average player into an exceptional player and that the exceptional player doesn't really need the development camps since he or she is already a superior player. They essentially said that 95% of a player's skill is due to genetics. I sort of agree with this assessment. I think it is also the reason so many parents get frustrated with their kid's progress. They see the money and time involved and sometimes do not see the return on their investment. The challenge is that genetics is not on their side.

I'm inclined to think that more kids could benefit from playing rink rat hockey a couple of times per week during the offseason.

[OntheEdge]

I once heard an interesting exchange between a couple ex-Northstars regarding development and hockey camps. The gist of the conversation was that development camps couldn't turn an average player into an exceptional player and that the exceptional player doesn't really need the development camps since he or she is already a superior player. They essentially said that 95% of a player's skill is due to genetics. I sort of agree with this assessment. I think it is also the reason so many parents get frustrated with their kid's progress. They see the money and time involved and sometimes do not see the return on their investment. The challenge is that genetics is not on their side.

I'm inclined to think that more kids could benefit from playing rink rat hockey a couple of times per week during the offseason.

Yes you are absolutely right. Tell your kids to kick back and watch a little extra TV. Give them a box of twinkies to snack on too. Its all good. Genetics is all that matters. Its predetermined and they can't get any better than they are right now. Tell them you read on a website that someone overheard a couple of ex-professional players say it was so, so it must be true.

For those of you interested in a scientific study of what makes an elite athlete go to this website:

http://coaching.usolympicteam.com/coach ... /v/2ltad04

[Abe]

Bjustad shooting is also a gimmick he talks about catching a pass without any give to your stick (stone hands as opposed to soft hands) which is wrong he also has the young kids shooting from the toe of the stick which is also wrong at that young age. When the athlete gets stronger he or she is able to do that but when the player is young the need to start it on the heel, check out the USA Hockey website on their shooting demo. I do agree that a player should shoot and stickhandle on their own or with a friend. Have fun and enjoy tha summer

[offsides]

Bjustad shooting is also a gimmick he talks about catching a pass without any give to your stick (stone hands as opposed to soft hands) which is wrong he also has the young kids shooting from the toe of the stick which is also wrong at that young age. When the athlete gets stronger he or she is able to do that but when the player is young the need to start it on the heel, check out the USA Hockey website on their shooting demo. I do agree that a player should shoot and stickhandle on their own or with a friend. Have fun and enjoy tha summer

My favorite hockey player first trained with Bjugstad in the summer between 8th and 9th grade. She learned to catch passes on the heel of her stick and shoot from the toe. She is not a big kid, graduating at about 125 LBS., but after learning his technique and shooting 1000's of pucks in the garage, pound-for-pound shoots the puck as hard as anyone.

As you might guess, I'm a big Bjugstad backer. She took his private lesson once (2 hours), applied what she learned and I feel it was some of the best hockey money I ever spent. If she hadn't practiced what she learned, it wouldn't have paid off, but she did.

As for a gimmick, I hardly agree. Most young kids are coached to absorb passes by moving their stick toward the backhand as they receive a pass on the forehand. Cognitively, that seems right, but in reality, in a fast game there isn't time for extra and wasted motion. By catching a pass on the heel, the force is transfered to the shaft and the blade of the stick doesn't torque (rotate) making it more likely that the pass will be caught vs. bouncing off the stick after it rotates. That's the theory anyway. I believe it works. If you want soft hands, stationary stick handling drills will help.

As for shooting with the toe, it worked at a young age for her -- continues to work -- and so obviously we believe in it. Any one else out there with Bjugstad experience -- pro or con?

[finance_gal]

Scott Bjugstad is the yoda of shooting and a first class coach, His approach to shooting and stickhandling is a little different, so some old timers will undoubtedly question it, but the guy gets results for anyone willing to put the time in at home. It is far from a gimmick and if someones kid didn't get what they thought they should out of his clinic maybe Scott's style was a little to unorthadox for the level of play their kid's in.

[xwildfan]

Bjugstad is good at selecting the correct stick for players with regards to lie, flex, etc. Regarding shooting and receiving passes, why wouldn't you be taught the correct technique at a young age? Every other sport teaches the correct way from the start. Of course at young ages, it is harder to have the ideal technique; mainly because of lack of strength. But a player taught the correct method early in their career, will have great stick skills once the strength kicks in.

[upnorthguy]

Bjugstad is good at selecting the correct stick for players with regards to lie, flex, etc. Regarding shooting and receiving passes, why wouldn't you be taught the correct technique at a young age? Every other sport teaches the correct way from the start. Of course at young ages, it is harder to have the ideal technique; mainly because of lack of strength. But a player taught the correct method early in their career, will have great stick skills once the strength kicks in.

Bjugstad has some great programs and techniques for the kids. One problem I do have with him is his outrageous cost. Is he really giving back to the community or is this his only source of income. Myself having coached for many years have always given my coaching check back to the kids. Sometimes I get irritated with these big name guys taking advantgage of the sport.

[Hux]

Bjustad shooting is also a gimmick he talks about catching a pass without any give to your stick (stone hands as opposed to soft hands) which is wrong he also has the young kids shooting from the toe of the stick which is also wrong at that young age. When the athlete gets stronger he or she is able to do that but when the player is young the need to start it on the heel, check out the USA Hockey website on their shooting demo. I do agree that a player should shoot and stickhandle on their own or with a friend. Have fun and enjoy tha summer

Well, I guess you haven't been around too many college practices, where the coaches emphasize "stone hands" to trap the puck on the spot. There is no wasted motion, and no wasted time in either passing or shooting. Old habits are very hard to break, so there is really no point in teaching one method at a young age and hoping they adapt to a different method at an older age.

[Abe]

so what you are saying is when teaching shooting you teach at the young age to shoot off the toe? So the way USA hockey is teaching it is wrong and you are right? Try it once try to teach a player at a young age to shoot off the toe and see what happens, butterflies and lack of accuracy and speed is what will happen. In order to get the puck to travel theough the air with good rotation is to let the puck go off the middle portion of the stick. Stronger players can handle the puck easier on all parts of this stick but for players who lack strength is is better to handle it closer to the heel. How you get the puck to release is up to the players comfort level. But if you release the puck off the toe you will lose rotation, speed and accuracy.

So when a coach tells a player he has "stone hands" that is a compliment sorry I guess I am wrong then.

[Hux]

so what you are saying is when teaching shooting you teach at the young age to shoot off the toe? So the way USA hockey is teaching it is wrong and you are right?

So when a coach tells a player he has "stone hands" that is a compliment sorry I guess I am wrong then.

I was speaking to trapping the puck when receiving a pass.

[hockeywild7]

To say someone is taking advantage of the sport by making money off it is ridiculous. I guess Stauber, Carroll and all the other camps or training centers are also taking advantage of the sport too. Mr. Bjugstad offers a service to players who choose to use it and yes he charges for his services. I will say I have talked to players who use his services and have heard many positive comments.

[MNHockeyFan]

To say someone is taking advantage of the sport by making money off it is ridiculous. I guess Stauber, Carroll and all the other camps or training centers are also taking advantage of the sport too. Mr. Bjugstad offers a service to players who choose to use it and yes he charges for his services. I will say I have talked to players who use his services and have heard many positive comments.

Besides it is a free market after all, and if he charges too much and/or is not good at what he does, he wouldn't be able to attract much business. From what I understand his calendar is extremely busy so this is obviously not the case.

[goalzilla]

I agree with the last 2 post. Many of these guys have given back to the community unmeasurably. However, they too have to make a living and fortunately they were able to turn what they love into a sucessful business. If they weren't worth the $ their businesses/instruction wouldn't be sought out. What you get from a Bjugstad is a bargain for the sessions needed. Being a goalie parent I have given my fair share of $$ to Rob, Steve, Stephan Popa and coach Howard and we keep going back because they are some of the best at what they do and provide results. Still regardless of the $$$ spent nothing replaces what you do at home or away from the ice. Some of the best development training is free. You need to work on what you learn at camps/sessions or you wont be able to use what you learn effectively. Again it goes back to an earlier post; the player has to want to......and understand you get better by doing.

[OntheEdge]

Still regardless of the $$$ spent nothing replaces what you do at home or away from the ice. Some of the best development training is free. You need to work on what you learn at camps/sessions or you wont be able to use what you learn effectively. Again it goes back to an earlier post; the player has to want to......and understand you get better by doing.

I agree goalzilla. I think the most important point in your blog is "the player has to want to". IMO this is the most important factor in kids becoming elite in any endeavor. Obviously there has to be some innate talent such as hand to eye coordination, speed, size, etc. but to develop that talent a kid has to have the desire and determination to get better. I remember reading a study that said that the psychological make up of an athlete is the most important factor in determining whether an athlete will take it to the highest level. The athlete has to want it badly and this desire gives them the stamina to put in the inordinate amount of time that is necessary to get to the highest level. Size, speed and talent alone are not enough. Camps such as Bjugstad are merely teaching tools, which will only work if embraced by the athlete and used by the athlete in their on and off-ice training. I think the reason that kids (or parents) don't get the desired results from camps is that the athlete will not take what he or she has learned, practice and build on the principals.

This is a great sport but unfortunately too many parents want it for their kid more than the kid wants it for himself or herself. I wish parents would watch and listen to what their children really want and help them achieve attainable goals based on those desires. I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends. I also see too many parents that want their kid to be on the varsity team for their own reasons and believe that signing up their kid for camps makes them somehow entitled to a spot on varsity when in reality their child has other interests that are more important to him or her. Sadly there are also examples of kids that really want it, work hard but are beaten out by more talented or equally talented players. These scenarios are much like life.

[hockeyrube7]

Still regardless of the $$$ spent nothing replaces what you do at home or away from the ice. Some of the best development training is free. You need to work on what you learn at camps/sessions or you wont be able to use what you learn effectively. Again it goes back to an earlier post; the player has to want to......and understand you get better by doing.

I agree goalzilla. I think the most important point in your blog is "the player has to want to". IMO this is the most important factor in kids becoming elite in any endeavor. Obviously there has to be some innate talent such as hand to eye coordination, speed, size, etc. but to develop that talent a kid has to have the desire and determination to get better. I remember reading a study that said that the psychological make up of an athlete is the most important factor in determining whether an athlete will take it to the highest level. The athlete has to want it badly and this desire gives them the stamina to put in the inordinate amount of time that is necessary to get to the highest level. Size, speed and talent alone are not enough. Camps such as Bjugstad are merely teaching tools, which will only work if embraced by the athlete and used by the athlete in their on and off-ice training. I think the reason that kids (or parents) don't get the desired results from camps is that the athlete will not take what he or she has learned, practice and build on the principals.

This is a great sport but unfortunately too many parents want it for their kid more than the kid wants it for himself or herself. I wish parents would watch and listen to what their children really want and help them achieve attainable goals based on those desires. I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends. I also see too many parents that want their kid to be on the varsity team for their own reasons and believe that signing up their kid for camps makes them somehow entitled to a spot on varsity when in reality their child has other interests that are more important to him or her. Sadly there are also examples of kids that really want it, work hard but are beaten out by more talented or equally talented players. These scenarios are much like life.

So this is all about business for you then, no social, no fun?

[OntheEdge]

Still regardless of the $$$ spent nothing replaces what you do at home or away from the ice. Some of the best development training is free. You need to work on what you learn at camps/sessions or you wont be able to use what you learn effectively. Again it goes back to an earlier post; the player has to want to......and understand you get better by doing.

I agree goalzilla. I think the most important point in your blog is "the player has to want to". IMO this is the most important factor in kids becoming elite in any endeavor. Obviously there has to be some innate talent such as hand to eye coordination, speed, size, etc. but to develop that talent a kid has to have the desire and determination to get better. I remember reading a study that said that the psychological make up of an athlete is the most important factor in determining whether an athlete will take it to the highest level. The athlete has to want it badly and this desire gives them the stamina to put in the inordinate amount of time that is necessary to get to the highest level. Size, speed and talent alone are not enough. Camps such as Bjugstad are merely teaching tools, which will only work if embraced by the athlete and used by the athlete in their on and off-ice training. I think the reason that kids (or parents) don't get the desired results from camps is that the athlete will not take what he or she has learned, practice and build on the principals.

This is a great sport but unfortunately too many parents want it for their kid more than the kid wants it for himself or herself. I wish parents would watch and listen to what their children really want and help them achieve attainable goals based on those desires. I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends. I also see too many parents that want their kid to be on the varsity team for their own reasons and believe that signing up their kid for camps makes them somehow entitled to a spot on varsity when in reality their child has other interests that are more important to him or her. Sadly there are also examples of kids that really want it, work hard but are beaten out by more talented or equally talented players. These scenarios are much like life.

So this is all about business for you then, no social, no fun?

Hmm... I reread my post and I didn't address the topic of fun because I focused on "Development". Of course fun is important but fun is relative to the athlete. The comraderie of being on a team is a lot of the fun. Getting on the team and producing is also fun but it takes a lot of hard work to get there. Hard work and seeing results can be fun for some and a task (or business if you like) for others. My opinion is that kids that think of hard work as fun will be more successful.

[hockeyrube7]

[quote="OntheEdge"]I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends.[quote]

Sounds like fun to me. Welcome to girls hockey my friend!

[OntheEdge]

I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends.

Sounds like fun to me. Welcome to girls hockey my friend!

I don't get it Rube. Are you bitter about something? Last time I looked Girls Hockey was a competitive sport and coaches select players who will best help their team compete.

[hockeyrube7]

I see too many kids that want to be on the team for social reasons and really don't care about working hard to be really good hockey players and when they don't make the team are devastated because they can't be with their friends. I don't get it Rube. Are you bitter about something?

Not at all, I must be misunderstanding your posts. I'm sorry if that is the case.

Desire comes from with in, we all know that. What motivates that desire is completely seperate to all. If "Social" is what motivates a kid to compete, isn't that what we should be promoting? I'm not sure. I just think that in boys as well as girls, all work and no play makes for a very dull kid. This I feel is why you see such a huge drop in attendace around bantam age or young HS kids, in both boys and girls. Park hockey becomes more fun maybe. Just my opinion, could be wrong.

Girls hockey is in a very infancy stage, and coming to a crucial point I feel. If we don't build a base, and work up from there, it will all wash out and collapse at some point. How about embracing the kid that is "Just there for social" (or fun in my words), and help them to improve and appreciate the game for what it is. They may just surprise you and work hard there after.

I did not mean to offend you, and I will leave this alone now.

[MNHockeyFan]

I don't get it Rube. Are you bitter about something? Last time I looked Girls Hockey was a competitive sport and coaches select players who will best help their team compete.

Yep, long gone are the days when a girl could go out for hockey and likely make the team even if she couldn't skate well and possess decent skills. With the better varsity programs today, just making the team requires that players acquire good skills long before they get to the age where they can try out. And you don't acquire these skills without putting a lot of time and effort into it. For those who don't enjoy doing this consistently for a number of years, the harsh reality is they are not going to help their team be competitive, or even make the lineup in most cases. I say "most" only because some programs are still short on numbers and need girls with less skill to fill out their rosters, but compared to just 10 years ago this has become the exception not the rule. The bottom line is that today lots of development is needed, and those girls who do not "have fun" developing their skills will be left behind.

[OntheEdge]

Not at all, I must be misunderstanding your posts. I'm sorry if that is the case.

Desire comes from with in, we all know that. What motivates that desire is completely seperate to all. If "Social" is what motivates a kid to compete, isn't that what we should be promoting? I'm not sure. I just think that in boys as well as girls, all work and no play makes for a very dull kid. This I feel is why you see such a huge drop in attendace around bantam age or young HS kids, in both boys and girls. Park hockey becomes more fun maybe. Just my opinion, could be wrong.

Girls hockey is in a very infancy stage, and coming to a crucial point I feel. If we don't build a base, and work up from there, it will all wash out and collapse at some point. How about embracing the kid that is "Just there for social" (or fun in my words), and help them to improve and appreciate the game for what it is. They may just surprise you and work hard there after.

I did not mean to offend you, and I will leave this alone now.

Rube,

I do believe the social part is important but more so at the younger ages, mites and U10 especially. Many girls were first drawn to hockey for social reasons including my daughter but as they get older they realize that if they want to play at a high level they have to develop skills. At the high school level, especially in the bigger programs, the first priority is picking girls with the best skills. Of course if two players are equal the social skills and the locker room impact becomes important. I will leave this alone now too.

[OntheEdge]

I don't get it Rube. Are you bitter about something? Last time I looked Girls Hockey was a competitive sport and coaches select players who will best help their team compete.

Yep, long gone are the days when a girl could go out for hockey and likely make the team even if she couldn't skate well and possess decent skills. With the better varsity programs today, just making the team requires that players acquire good skills long before they get to the age where they can try out. And you don't acquire these skills without putting a lot of time and effort into it. For those who don't enjoy doing this consistently for a number of years, the harsh reality is they are not going to help their team be competitive, or even make the lineup in most cases. I say "most" only because some programs are still short on numbers and need girls with less skill to fill out their rosters, but compared to just 10 years ago this has become the exception not the rule. The bottom line is that today lots of development is needed, and those girls who do not "have fun" developing their skills will be left behind.

I agree whole-heartedly. Rube maybe MNHockeyFan is better at explaining what I mean.

[goalzilla]

FUN???? One of my kids skate 6 days a week in the summer, the other 3 years younger and not as competitive or serious, but has a ball playing so he is in a "C" rec league. My daughter is competitive at everything she does and everything she can think of or work into her schedule to improve. She love to be on the Ice and so does my son. However they both understand their are practice and playing rules set by the coach's and they must be followed regardless of if it cuts into their fun time. My kids both have played on teams that had the fun fest free-for-all atmosphere and they hated to get on the ice almost every day. Have your kid be a goalie and the fun bunch shoot 4,5,6,+ at them at once.....its a real productive session and hopefully your goalie will last the season as well as the player who stand behind the net not paying attemtion until they get smoked in tne melon by the unseen shot. But the kid shooting is having a ball!!!!!!! The upper levels of hockey can be fun but, when at that level decisons have to be made if they belong or not.

Unfortunately, it your player doesn't understand the requirments of the level they are playing at or dont want to follow them; then a parent better muster up the stones to have a talk about the cruel lessons in life.

Let's see tomorrow is Friday: I know I am going to have to a couple things at work I wont like...I think I will tell my boss that it's not real fun and I prefer to have fun and not meet a dead line or complete the task as instructed.....But will I have FUN!!!!

Sorry for the rant, but this subject gets me going