Customer Reviews

Hockey Coaching: The ABCs of International Hockey

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Molloys approach to the game of hockey is excellent. Skills are built in a logical progression, and the drills included emphasise various aspects of the game of hockey. Tom focuses on teaching each player the nature of the game at its basic level, using the entire ice surface during practices, and helping the player to recognise individual and team responsibilities during play.

Problems do not result from his method. Implementation is the challenge. The terminology, is new to most. As a result, it will take effort to become familiar with the approach. In addition, it will take the players time to adapt, but once the drills have been run through a few times, as well as ice usage, practices will zip along. The kids have to come off the ice sweating and smiling, because the drills need to fun. Some of the most popular drills were 7 puck hockey, cross ice pass 2 times before you can shoot, cross ice backwards skating hockey only and give and go only.

Word of caution...if practices are open, be prepared for critism particularily if players and parents are used to useless lineup drills.( line up in corner, pass to player, shoot on goalie...) If they see backward skating hockey, they will think you are off your rocker...after all, isn't recerational sport serious business?

This book is an excellent tool for coaches. It shows how not only to be practical and efficient with practices, but allowing the players to be competitive and have fun during practices.

The authors use a European approach to their style of coaching. They emphasize game like drills and skill development.

It is time for coaches to give the game back to the players and let them explore, develop and be creative in a controlled environment.

This is a great book that will organize coaches and lead to greater skill development for young players. The book sets forth different ways to set your team up to more effectively run drills. The drills that the book shows are excellent. I am now anxiously awaiting the following editions that should be forthcoming. This is directed to youth players but is useful for all levels.