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I would like to reiterate that if you are running the right drills, especially at the younger levels, the kids will apply the passing and positional skills in the game situations they were designed for. There will be plenty of time for these kids to "learn" systems when they are ready for them. I like to think that the coaches at the older levels (PW/12U, B/14U) would rather inherit skilled, creative players that are ready to progress.

Kids will adapt their game to succeed. Celebrate the "assist" and the "defensive stop" as much as the scoring, and all will be good in the hockey world.

Also, it is, IMHO, crazy to have players focus on playing only one position in these formative years... Let them all play every position, and force them all to do EVERY specialized drill. In my experience, the best forwards have logged hours as defensemen, and vice versa...

neutralregroup wrote:I would like to reiterate that if you are running the right drills, especially at the younger levels, the kids will apply the passing and positional skills in the game situations they were designed for. There will be plenty of time for these kids to "learn" systems when they are ready for them. I like to think that the coaches at the older levels (PW/12U, B/14U) would rather inherit skilled, creative players that are ready to progress.

Kids will adapt their game to succeed. Celebrate the "assist" and the "defensive stop" as much as the scoring, and all will be good in the hockey world.

Also, it is, IMHO, crazy to have players focus on playing only one position in these formative years... Let them all play every position, and force them all to do EVERY specialized drill. In my experience, the best forwards have logged hours as defensemen, and vice versa...

I pretty much agree with what you say, except for a few things...

First, I don't believe kids learn to be creative skating around cones (what a lot of the "individual" skill drills are run through). Second, I also don't believe that kids will "adapt their games to succeed". I've seen first hand what happens will it's assumed that the players will just figure it out, and most of the time, they never do. That is what the coaches are there for...to teach.

I agree that players should never be pigeon-holded into a single position at the Squirt level. Playing multiple positions will make a player more well-rounded.

So it sounds to me like the successful associations have coaches that are able to adapt their coaching style to the specific needs of each team they coach. Is this something that they are trained to do (and if so what training methods are they utilizing), are they paid more than other associations, or are these associations just lucky to have good coaches?

muckandgrind wrote:First, I don't believe kids learn to be creative skating around cones (what a lot of the "individual" skill drills are run through).

True. But I would hope that the point of the cone drills is to develop proper technique, not creativity. Some amount of practice time needs to be devoted to the basic individual mechanics of skating, passing, puckhandling and shooting. Especially if we are talking about PeeWees and younger.

Cone drills seem to get a bad rap because some coaches do not (or cannot) diagnose and correct poor technique.

After good technique is established (but not necessarily mastered), cone drills need to be expanded so they are multi-tasking (e.g. add passing and shooting elements to basic edge work drills). You should also increase tempo.

As for the "is a breakout a good practice drill?" question, I think it really depends on the team and the coach. Many squirt A teams have better fundamental skating and passing skills than a typical PWB team. I would agree with you that a good breakout drill provides opportunity to perform these skills under duress. Read and react. All that good stuff. On the other hand, if your team cannot yet execute a 15 foot pass 85% of the time, I'm not sure you're going to get much out of a breakout drill.

"MnPride..?

"Win it all then D10 can talk"

I'm pretty sure the Centennial A Bantams have made a pretty loud statement here in the last 7 years. If you didnt know, they are in D10."


Ok let`s see...

Centennial "A" Bantams have won State twice 01 and 06...7 yrs in a row...i knew you were a crackhead I guess that`s pretty loud ,D10 needs consistancy.

How many times have they been in the final?

that is 6 of 8 and 4 of the last 4 what district needs consistency?

I believe the Cougars knocked off the Hornets on there way to another state title game? Correct me if I am wrong.

Fire and Ice wrote:that is 6 of 8 and 4 of the last 4 what district needs consistency?

I believe the Cougars knocked off the Hornets on there way to another state title game? Correct me if I am wrong.

They`ve been there 6 times,won it twice,not "won it" 7 yrs in a row as stated by GoGopherGuy,which was "my" argument.

So the same as Ep in the past 8 years? And if D 6 is so strong why is it only Edina Ep Jefferson ringing the bell and I dont see Jefferson ringing any bells in the future. Please name another great D 6 program and most of Edina's dates back to the 70's.

It is on MN Hockey's website. Get back to me on that one.

By the way where are all the D6 state hs championships in the last 10 years, I will tell you Elk River, Anoka, Blaine, Centennial, HM, Holy Angels, Cretin, Roseau...I dont see Edina Ep Jefferson Minnetonka Apple Valley Prior Lake Shakopee Burnsville it doesnt match. Only last years runner up.

So go ahead tell me how great D 6 is now because Edina has 9 titles most of which happened before you even born? Jefferson 3 in the early nineties, Ep 0 no excuse common tell me?

Please tell me where I said "WON IT", in the sentance below...

I'm pretty sure the Centennial A Bantams have made a pretty loud statement here in the last 7 years. If you didnt know, they are in D10.


Thanks.