The Hockey Coach's Manual: A Guide to Drills, Skills and Conditioning (Paperback)

by Michael A. Smith (Author) "HOCKEY IS A GAME THAT NEEDS GOOD SOUND FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS, SKILLS THAT BECOME THE foundation for both the individual players and the team..." (more)
Key Phrases: Basic Alignment, Conditioning Drill, Stickhandling Drill

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
"Hockey is a game that demands good sound skills as the foundation for both individual players and the team, " writes Mike Smith. And team success, he adds, is simply a reflection of coaching success.

In "The Hockey Coach's Manual: A Guide to Drills, Skills, Tactics and Conditioning", Smith presents a winning formula for the hockey season.

Complete with over 125 step-by-step diagrams, this book helps coaches set up a season-long program and walks them through a host of dryland and on-ice training regimens that will build team cooperation and enhance individual ability. Dozens of skill-building drills provide coaches with the tactical and strategic advantage vital for matching a tailor-made hockey system--whether based on conservative or aggressive play--to the achievement level of players aged 9 to 18.

A timeless and accessible handbook, "The Hockey Coach's Manual" is invaluable both as an introduction and as a quick refresher course to the challenging responsibility of coaching hockey.

About the Author
Michael A. Smith has been involved with hockey for over forty years as a player, coach, and staff member with the Toronto Maple Leafs, 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. He has written several books about hockey.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 155209183X
• ISBN-13: 978-1552091838
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #574,316 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book on all the basics., November 17, 1998

By A Customer

Since the publishing of this book, Micheal Smith has become the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. After reading his book, I can understand why. Mr. Smiths insights into hockey coaching are very easy to follow, with increasing skill level for various ages, from 8 year olds to junior. He covers all aspects of hockey coaching, from preseason preparation,including off ice drills and individual skill development, through to description of systems for defence and offence. Well balanced that covers a lot.

2.0 out of 5 stars Bland at best, July 21, 2002

By A Customer

All in all, I picked up very few ideas from this generally bland manual, and the illustrations (clay figurish poseables) can, in their most flattering light, be described as abstract (or boring or unhelpful). There is not a single photo of an actual hockey player in the entire book. Large sections provide mostly-irrelevant info, in a well printed format trimmed in color. Towards the back their is some basic strategy that is useful, but as w/ many hockey manuals, these require a great deal of patience to piece together from the diagrams--nothing new.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a decent book, September 10, 2003

By	M. A. Miller (Rome, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this book was decent I got it because I wanted to get in shape like a hockey player due to a class offering for the next semester at my college of ice hockey (they never had it) there where not many hockey fans at my school so it was next to impossible to do half the workouts because they involved more then 1 person but with a little tinkering you can help it fit your needs