About the Author
Michael A. Smith has been involved with hockey for over forty years as a player, coach, and general manger with the New York Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Tulsa Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Team USA. He has served as an advisor for the National Hockey League and has traveled extensively as a lecturer, advisor, and friend of the sport, studying European training methods in Russia and Sweden. The author of six books and more than 20 articles on hockey, Smith lives in West Tisbury, Massachusetts.
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Introduction
Training sessions, more commonly called practices, formulate an important part of hockey. Success of a team, whether it is measured as an improvement, winning, or fun is directly dependent on practices. The better the practices, the better the team. What goes into a practice, how a practice is conducted, and what is accomplished during a practice is critical. In this sense, the drills that practices are comprised of are essential to the development of the team.
This book presents 200 drills in eight different chapters: skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, conditioning, goaltending, checking and situations. The book attempts to present a comprehensive selection of drills. Drills for the different levels of competition and for different stages of development are shown. It is hoped that the book will serve all coaches whether it be as a readily available drill reminder or source for new and different drills.
The method of the book is to provide a diagram for each drill, its purpose, a brief description, the number of participation, and the tempo of the drill's execution. Many of the drills have variations listed as well.
No drill is too simple to be used. Drills are the methods that the fundamental skills of the game are taught. All teams should constantly be practicing these fundamentals. As a team develops its skills, the drills can become more complex. Teams should, at some time, begin to use drills that combine a number of skills.
The most important thing to consider in drill selection for the coach is to keep in mind that the drill should be fun. Fun, not in the sense of being relaxing and humorous, but in the sense that it is substantial, worthwhile, and enjoyable. Good drills make coaching and playing a good experience.
