Here is a link to a great article The Art of Stickhandling: by Diane Romano
I wasn't even sure if stickhandling was one or two words before searching the web. I am always researching what my kids need to learn as a way to give them the opportunity to improve. Alec's coach last year, said something along the line of "the kids have the puck on their stick maybe a minute or two a game." If you think about how important stickhandling is to a player and watch how much time the puck is on their stick at practice and during a game... you have to wonder. What do you have to wonder? - why isn't more time spent on the stickhandling skill.
My answer is a lot of emphasis is put on scoring and winning. Too much. Yes, the kids need to learn how to skate before the can move on to stickhandling but winning and scoring tend to be the focus of many leagues, coaches and yes - us, the parents. In the day of 3-5 coaches on the ice and 20 coaching parents behind the glass... think about stickhandling next time. How many times do you hear parents yelling for more stickhandling or more mental development? At the Peewee travel level, you might notice speed and breakaways tend to be less unbalanced and less frequent then at the lower levels. The players and team that develops the ability to move the puck with their stick, mentally understands the game and uses stickhandling skills to beat players are the players and teams that begin to dominate the ice and game.
A lot can be said on what is the mental game of ice hockey. My opinion, the answer is something like learning to be where you need to be before you know where the play is going. Check out Gretzky on the mental aspect of the game. He said it much more eloquently and backed it up. Hockey is a game of seconds. The player that not only knows their position but knows where the other players are on the ice is beginning to develop a mental picture of the game. The player that knows a play is forming and anticipates the progression of the play is well on their way to developing the mental aspects of ice hockey. Can you imagine watching an hour of practice of just stickhandling with a discussion about the mental aspect of the game? I can. Below is clip from the above article. Imagine a week of practice being dedicated to feeling the vibration of the puck on the stick. How many parents would flip out? Especially if the team isn't scoring and is losing.
From: The Art of Stickhandling: by Diane Romano
"To excel at stickhandling, a player has to develop what Turcotte refers to as “educated hands.” That means being able to feel the puck and its position on your stick without looking down. Then, rather than skating around like a moving target with your head down, you can look up to see what’s happening around you—the openings, the players who can be fed, the scoring opportunities.
How do you get educated hands? Try dribbling—rolling your stick blade back and forth across the puck using short strokes, tapping the puck alternately once on the forehand side of the blade and once on the backhand side. The slight vibrations generated by dribbling travel through the shaft of the stick and convey to the player the position of the puck on the blade. The vibrations connected with each of the three puck positions—toe, middle, and heel of the blade—are totally different. Once learned, the skillful player will be able to identify the location of the puck on his stick blade by feel. "
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
What are the Penalties Referees Signal?
PENALTIES AND REFEREE'S SIGNALS
Parts from : winnetkahockey.com
Visit here for more details about the rules of hockey.
BOARDING
Called for driving, throwing, checking or tripping an opponent which causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
CHARGING
Called for running, jumping or charging into an opponent (usually taking more than three strides before impact).
CROSS-CHECKING
Called when a player delivers a check with both hands on his stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
ELBOWING
Called when a player uses his elbow to foul another player.
HIGH-STICKING
Called whan a player carries or holds his stick above the normal height of the waist of an Opponent and the stick causes injury to that opponent.
HOLDING
Called whan a player holds an opponent with his hands or stick. Holding the stick is called for, well, holding an opponent's stick.
HOOKING
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by "hooking" him with his stick.
INTERFERENCE
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
MISCONDUCT
Called for various forms of misconduct including the use of abusive language to any person, challenging an official's ruling, etc. (also given to a player receiving two major penalties in a game).
ROUGHING
Called when a player or players are deemed guilty of unnecessary roughness, engaging in fisticuffs and/or shoving.
SLASHING
Called when a player swings his stick at an opponent or impedes or attempts to impede an opponent by slashing with his stick.
SPEARING
Called when a player stabs an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried with one or both hands.
TRIPPING
Called when a player places his stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that it causes his opponent to trip or fall.
WASHOUT
When signaled by a linesman, it means there is no offsides or icing. The referee will also use this signal to "wave off" a goal.
Parts from : winnetkahockey.com
Visit here for more details about the rules of hockey.
BOARDING
Called for driving, throwing, checking or tripping an opponent which causes the opponent to be thrown violently into the boards.
CHARGING
Called for running, jumping or charging into an opponent (usually taking more than three strides before impact).
CROSS-CHECKING
Called when a player delivers a check with both hands on his stick and no part of the stick on the ice.
ELBOWING
Called when a player uses his elbow to foul another player.
HIGH-STICKING
Called whan a player carries or holds his stick above the normal height of the waist of an Opponent and the stick causes injury to that opponent.
HOLDING
Called whan a player holds an opponent with his hands or stick. Holding the stick is called for, well, holding an opponent's stick.
HOOKING
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent by "hooking" him with his stick.
INTERFERENCE
Called when a player impedes or seeks to impede the progress of an opponent who is not in possession of the puck.
MISCONDUCT
Called for various forms of misconduct including the use of abusive language to any person, challenging an official's ruling, etc. (also given to a player receiving two major penalties in a game).
ROUGHING
Called when a player or players are deemed guilty of unnecessary roughness, engaging in fisticuffs and/or shoving.
SLASHING
Called when a player swings his stick at an opponent or impedes or attempts to impede an opponent by slashing with his stick.
SPEARING
Called when a player stabs an opponent with the point of the stick blade while the stick is being carried with one or both hands.
TRIPPING
Called when a player places his stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that it causes his opponent to trip or fall.
WASHOUT
When signaled by a linesman, it means there is no offsides or icing. The referee will also use this signal to "wave off" a goal.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Returning to Play from a Concussion
The permanent link in this blog Pages talks about concussion symptoms. One of the hardest things to do as a parent maybe deciding not to put your kid in the game. This isn't an easy issue. The other hardest thing is trying to figure out whin it is safe for them to go back in the game. When are they ready to play after a hit to the head? A lot of research is beginning to describe concussion symptoms and grades of concussions. The grades of concussions are supported by time periods before returning to the game.
Hockey is an exciting sport my son loves. Checking is part of the game but hits to the head and back should carry harsher penalties. There is room for physical play in hockey, not head shots. I urge USA Hockey to increase the penalties for head shots and hits from behind. 2 minutes is not enough to change behavior. Below is some interesting information about having you child return to the game after a concussion. I included a link to the original article.
Link to Entire Article at Brainline.org
Returning to play
The athlete or child with a concussion most often wants to know "When can I play again?"
Half of children with concussions have post-concussive symptoms. Most concussions recover over three to seven days. Before returning to play, it is important to determine the number of most recent concussions. This is one of the best indicators of a whether or not to return to play.
Those who return to play too soon may risk a serious brain injury be having a second impact, especially within the first two weeks. This can be associated with devastating outcomes, even death. This is called second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome occurs when the already swollen brain is re-injured and swells further.
Physicians and athletic trainers should be conservative about return to play. The key is good follow-up through the primary care physician, who will assess the child individually, evaluating the entire pattern of injury — the initial physical symptoms, how long the symptoms lasted, how the injury happened and the recovery time to being symptom-free.
If needed, a neurologist, neurosurgeon or neuro-psychologist may evaluate cognition, attention and concentration. This means evaluating the speed of information processing, memory and learning. The child may have no symptoms, but still have deficits in learning, memory and processing information.
A computer software tool is now available to assist certified athletic trainers and health care professionals with the evaluation of an athlete suspected of having sustained a concussion. This is most valid when the athlete has taken a pre-season "baseline" test to which post-injury scores can be compared. A decline in scores connotes concussion, while improvement in scores suggests recovery. This information combined with complete resolution of symptoms can lead to a confident return-to-play decision.
Returning to play within one season
Use the following scale to determine if a child may return to play:
Grade 1 — May return to play when symptom-free for one week
Grade 2 — May return to play when symptom-free for two weeks
Grade 3 — May return to play when symptom-free for one month
Hockey is an exciting sport my son loves. Checking is part of the game but hits to the head and back should carry harsher penalties. There is room for physical play in hockey, not head shots. I urge USA Hockey to increase the penalties for head shots and hits from behind. 2 minutes is not enough to change behavior. Below is some interesting information about having you child return to the game after a concussion. I included a link to the original article.
Link to Entire Article at Brainline.org
Returning to play
The athlete or child with a concussion most often wants to know "When can I play again?"
Half of children with concussions have post-concussive symptoms. Most concussions recover over three to seven days. Before returning to play, it is important to determine the number of most recent concussions. This is one of the best indicators of a whether or not to return to play.
Those who return to play too soon may risk a serious brain injury be having a second impact, especially within the first two weeks. This can be associated with devastating outcomes, even death. This is called second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome occurs when the already swollen brain is re-injured and swells further.
Physicians and athletic trainers should be conservative about return to play. The key is good follow-up through the primary care physician, who will assess the child individually, evaluating the entire pattern of injury — the initial physical symptoms, how long the symptoms lasted, how the injury happened and the recovery time to being symptom-free.
If needed, a neurologist, neurosurgeon or neuro-psychologist may evaluate cognition, attention and concentration. This means evaluating the speed of information processing, memory and learning. The child may have no symptoms, but still have deficits in learning, memory and processing information.
A computer software tool is now available to assist certified athletic trainers and health care professionals with the evaluation of an athlete suspected of having sustained a concussion. This is most valid when the athlete has taken a pre-season "baseline" test to which post-injury scores can be compared. A decline in scores connotes concussion, while improvement in scores suggests recovery. This information combined with complete resolution of symptoms can lead to a confident return-to-play decision.
Returning to play within one season
Use the following scale to determine if a child may return to play:
Grade 1 — May return to play when symptom-free for one week
Grade 2 — May return to play when symptom-free for two weeks
Grade 3 — May return to play when symptom-free for one month
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Safety Toward Other Players: The STOP program
The STOP PROGRAM stands for safety towards other players. We implemented this last year for the Peewee Silver team. It is currently optional and up to the coaches to introduce it. Players may choose or not choose to wear the red stop sign patches on their jerseys and stop sign stickers on their helmets.
The goal is to decrease hits from behind with the hope of decreasing head and spinal injuries. I believe along with many other parents that harsher penalties need to be set for dangerous hits from behind and to the head. Checking is part of the game, harm is not. The STOP program has been around for about 5 years and is thoroughly implemented through Canadian Hockey. US Hockey has been slower to adapt the patches.
A permanent link to the left of this blog titled safety toward other players will direct you to a site you can purchase patches. Below is a the article and link to the original article about Don Cherry's program for STOP helmet stickers.
Link to the Article Below
Don Cherry Supports STOP Program to Promote Safe Hockey
Richmond Hill, Ontario - Don Cherry has been the voice of Hockey Night in Canada’s Coaches Corner for over twenty four years and also a long-time supporter of minor hockey. Today, Cherry is giving more than his voice towards a hockey safety initiative he is personally funding the STOP Program helmet decal project.
“I am very happy to be working with the OMHA on the STOP decal program for helmets, it has been a long hard struggle but thanks to the OMHA and guys like Ken Catania who was the driving force behind this venture we are on our way and to have Hockey Canada and the OHF with us is as they say the “cherry on top”. Let me explain why I feel this venture is so important, when a player is cross checking a player from behind he is looking directly at the back of the helmet where our STOP decal will be. I feel this decal will save a lot of injuries, if we can help one kid it is worth the effort. So come on GMs and coaches lets get aboard and help our kids,” said Don Cherry.
The Safety Towards Other Players [STOP] Program began in Windsor eleven years ago in hopes of raising awareness of the dangers of checking from behind in hockey. Led by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, the STOP Program is now mandatory in many hockey associations around the world.
Hockey Canada, which oversees minor hockey in Canada in partnership with the 13 branches, is in full support of the STOP Program. Players and teams in each of Canada''s 13 branches can take advantage of this great program to support fair and safe play.
The STOP Program helmet decal is not a replacement for the three-inch patch worn on the back of hockey jerseys above the letters. It’s another method to promote the program and awareness that checking from behind is not acceptable in hockey. The STOP Program patch and helmet decal’s purpose is a visual reminder for players for when they see the STOP symbol, they should immediately STOP from hitting the opposing player from behind.
“The OMHA strives to provide the safest environment possible for all participants, especially players,” stated OMHA President Marg Ensoll. “The STOP Program is part of the OMHA’s continuing education that checking from behind is not tolerated. We are proud to have Don Cherry help the OMHA promote this valuable program.”
STOP Program helmet decals and patches are available by contacting the Ontario Minor Hockey Association at [905] 780-6642 or by visiting www.safetytowardsotherplayers.com. There are 25 STOP Program helmet decals per sheet, sufficient for one team and for a limited time, STOP Program helmet decals are available at no charge. STOP Program patches are available for 55 cents per patch.
The goal is to decrease hits from behind with the hope of decreasing head and spinal injuries. I believe along with many other parents that harsher penalties need to be set for dangerous hits from behind and to the head. Checking is part of the game, harm is not. The STOP program has been around for about 5 years and is thoroughly implemented through Canadian Hockey. US Hockey has been slower to adapt the patches.
A permanent link to the left of this blog titled safety toward other players will direct you to a site you can purchase patches. Below is a the article and link to the original article about Don Cherry's program for STOP helmet stickers.
Link to the Article Below
Don Cherry Supports STOP Program to Promote Safe Hockey
Richmond Hill, Ontario - Don Cherry has been the voice of Hockey Night in Canada’s Coaches Corner for over twenty four years and also a long-time supporter of minor hockey. Today, Cherry is giving more than his voice towards a hockey safety initiative he is personally funding the STOP Program helmet decal project.
“I am very happy to be working with the OMHA on the STOP decal program for helmets, it has been a long hard struggle but thanks to the OMHA and guys like Ken Catania who was the driving force behind this venture we are on our way and to have Hockey Canada and the OHF with us is as they say the “cherry on top”. Let me explain why I feel this venture is so important, when a player is cross checking a player from behind he is looking directly at the back of the helmet where our STOP decal will be. I feel this decal will save a lot of injuries, if we can help one kid it is worth the effort. So come on GMs and coaches lets get aboard and help our kids,” said Don Cherry.
The Safety Towards Other Players [STOP] Program began in Windsor eleven years ago in hopes of raising awareness of the dangers of checking from behind in hockey. Led by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, the STOP Program is now mandatory in many hockey associations around the world.
Hockey Canada, which oversees minor hockey in Canada in partnership with the 13 branches, is in full support of the STOP Program. Players and teams in each of Canada''s 13 branches can take advantage of this great program to support fair and safe play.
The STOP Program helmet decal is not a replacement for the three-inch patch worn on the back of hockey jerseys above the letters. It’s another method to promote the program and awareness that checking from behind is not acceptable in hockey. The STOP Program patch and helmet decal’s purpose is a visual reminder for players for when they see the STOP symbol, they should immediately STOP from hitting the opposing player from behind.
“The OMHA strives to provide the safest environment possible for all participants, especially players,” stated OMHA President Marg Ensoll. “The STOP Program is part of the OMHA’s continuing education that checking from behind is not tolerated. We are proud to have Don Cherry help the OMHA promote this valuable program.”
STOP Program helmet decals and patches are available by contacting the Ontario Minor Hockey Association at [905] 780-6642 or by visiting www.safetytowardsotherplayers.com. There are 25 STOP Program helmet decals per sheet, sufficient for one team and for a limited time, STOP Program helmet decals are available at no charge. STOP Program patches are available for 55 cents per patch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)