Anticipation and Preparation: How to Start the Hockey Season Strong for Players and Coaches
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After just coming back from a fantastic Northern Ontario vacation, the cusp of hockey season is upon us. Much like those days leading up to Christmas, I’m getting more and more excited to be back on the ice and seeing all the amazing athletes and future success stories being written for the coming year. The anticipation is palpable among both players and coaches, who are gearing up for the season with renewed energy and focus.
It’s been awesome catching up with players as they're in their stretch run for season preparation, and coaches who are in training mode themselves to design practice plans and get players as amped up as they are. As one seasoned coach put it,
“The start of the season is always the most thrilling time. Everyone is fresh, eager, and ready to give their best. It’s the culmination of months of hard work and the beginning of what we hope will be a successful journey.”
This sentiment will soon echo throughout the rink, fueling the excitement and setting the stage for an exhilarating hockey season ahead.
Thinking about advice for players and coaches as the season approaches, I’ve pinpointed two crucial aspects both should begin incorporating into their daily routines.
To get us stated...
Inspired by an interview with basketball player and coach Steve Kerr, I want to highlight a powerful quote from the interview:
"Focus on creating a culture where values are lived out every day, ensuring that players walk into a place they want to be."
In the interview, Kerr discussed a transformative conversation he had with Pete Carroll during a training camp in Seattle. Carroll asked him about the culture he wanted to create for his team, sharing his experiences and learnings from Bill Walsh, who taught him that a coach's values must become the team's culture. Inspired by this, Kerr identified his own core values—competitiveness, mindfulness, compassion, and joy—and focused on making these values a daily reality for his team. This involved creating a positive atmosphere, celebrating personal milestones, and ensuring that everyone feels valued and happy.
Key Focus Areas for Coaches:
Team Strategy and Tactics:
Systems and Playbooks: Develop and refine the team's systems, including offensive and defensive strategies, special teams, and breakout plays. Ensure all players understand their roles within these systems.
Game Situations: Practice various game scenarios, such as 5-on-5 play, power plays, penalty kills, and last-minute situations. This helps players become comfortable and adaptable during actual games.
Accountability: Maintain high standards from the start. While early-season excitement is great, it's essential to set clear expectations and hold players accountable to prevent bad habits.
Team Cohesion and Leadership:
Team Building: Organize team-building activities to foster a positive team culture and strong relationships among players. This can include off-ice activities, team dinners, or bonding exercises.
Leadership Roles: Establish and communicate clear leadership roles within the team, naming captains and assistant captains, and identifying key players who can mentor younger or less experienced teammates.
Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with players, staff, and management through regular team meetings, one-on-one check-ins, and feedback sessions.
Key areas for players;
Intensify Physical Conditioning and On-Ice Training:
High-Intensity Workouts: Increase the intensity of workouts to simulate the demands of in-game conditions, including sprint intervals, agility drills, and sport-specific strength training.
On-Ice Drills: Spend more time on the ice working on skating, puck handling, shooting, and passing. Incorporate game-like scenarios and situational drills to sharpen skills and improve reaction times.
Injury Prevention: Focus on exercises that enhance flexibility and core strength, and ensure proper warm-up and cool-down routines to prevent injuries.
Mental Preparation and Strategy:
Visualization and Mental Rehearsal: Use visualization techniques to mentally rehearse game situations, strategies, and individual skills, building confidence and reducing pre-game anxiety.
Study Game Plans: Review and understand the team’s systems, playbooks, and strategies. Familiarize yourself with your role and responsibilities within different game situations.
Set Personal Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for the season, such as improving specific skills, contributing to team success, or maintaining a positive attitude. This keeps motivation high and provides a sense of direction.
Working Together for a Successful Season
As a long-time advocate of Bruce Tuckman’s four principles of team building—Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing—I’ve seen firsthand how crucial these stages are in shaping a cohesive and effective team. As suggested to me with the help of Google, these principles were Introduced in 1965, where Tuckman’s model describes the stages of group development and team building, emphasizing that teams go through these phases as they work together, developing their ability to function effectively as a unit.
One key lesson I’ve learned is that this model is dynamic; teams can move back and forth between stages and shift direction at any moment. It’s important not to panic if one phase takes longer than expected or if the team re-enters the storming phase more frequently than desired. The main focus should always be on guiding the team towards the performing stage when it matters most.
New coaches, take note: just because things seem to be going well in September and October, it doesn’t mean your team has reached the performing stage. This early success can create a false sense of security, leaving underlying issues unaddressed. Ignoring these can lead to significant problems later in the season when the stakes are higher. This doesn’t mean you should manufacture conflicts, but you should remain vigilant for subtle cues that indicate deeper issues.
By understanding and embracing Tuckman’s model, players and coaches can navigate the complexities of team development and strive towards a successful and cohesive season.
Last minute of play…
As the puck drops and the season unfolds, the commitment to building a strong, value-driven culture will be the cornerstone of your team's success. Whether you're a coach shaping the environment or a player pushing the limits of your performance, remember that every moment on and off the ice contributes to the collective journey.
Embrace the challenges, celebrate the milestones, and keep your focus on the ultimate goal—becoming a cohesive, high-performing team. With shared values and unwavering dedication, this season holds the promise of extraordinary achievements and unforgettable memories. Let’s hit the ice with passion, purpose, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
