by Jeff Serowik, former NHL'er and owner of Pro Ambitions Hockey, Inc
December 14, 2007
Here are some key areas that we cover in our camps/teams that
I’ve coached and consulted with. They should be part
of every coach’s game plan. If you’re able to get
the kids to buy into these concepts, your team will have a
great advantage. Please pass this along to your teammates,
coaches and board members.
Your player hasn't done a Battle Camp yet?
I recommend Battle Camps before they start their Peewee year
[checking begins at the Peewee level]. We cover some of the
most important concepts of the game like battling for loose
pucks,
puck protection,and game situational drills and protection.
Highly recommended for Mites and Squirts as well. Kids need
to learn how to
compete!!!
Characteristics / Identity / Goals for your
team:
Hard to play against / hardest working team on the ice.
Practice habits and effort, drills done the right way,
kids stopping for rebounds, making good passes, communication,
high tempo, fun, keep kids moving.
Vocal/Communication all over the ice all 3 positions including
and most importantly goalies. (They have the best view of
the ice and should be leaders back there).
Never quit no matter what the score (there are lessons
to be learned even when you lose).
Game Preparation - are the kids prepared to play, how is
your locker room 10 minutes before a game?
Conditioning- this is one element that is in everyone’s
control. Whether your team is undefeated or hasn’t
won a game,the kids should be the best conditioned team on
the ice.
Nutrition: challenge kids that are overweight or don’t
eat properly. Set up guidelines of what kids should be eating,
i.e. McDonalds or turkey sub?We’ve all seen Jared on
the Subway commercials.
Finish all checks: this wears down other teams, which will
make a difference at the end of the game. Don’t have
to kill but do have to get your body in the way. (Peewee
level and up).
Take pride in winning all battles. Watch a NHL game and
you’ll see that hockey is a series of 1-on-1 battles.Good
players are able to come out of the corner with the puck
.Untrained kids expose too many pucks. This is the meat and
potatoes of our “Battle Camps Curriculum”.
Beat opponent to all pucks, - hockey is a race to the puck.
Hit the Net / Drive to the Net, stop for rebounds.
Pay the Price to make the play! Take a hit/block a shot-all
great areas to earn points with your coach. These are key
intangibles that all players can bring to the ice!
Leadership - be first in line, demand excellence from your
teammates. Lead by example and others will follow. Speak
up and hold everyone on the team accountable for their behavior
on and off the ice.
Accountability, if you make a mistake own it.Look in the
mirror.
Selfish penalties / lazy penalties have a consequence.
Punishment / consistency of punishment.
Move the puck / selflessness, - the puck moves faster than
the skater.
Gray areas don’t lose the puck, turnovers at the
two blue lines, critical
for success.
Area passes.
Take pride in team defense/play as a 5 man cohesive group.
Centers are the 3rd defenseman always supporting puck in
defensive zone/sticks on ice/sticks in passing lanes, take
away the middle of the ice, play inside the dots.
Winning face-offs:the center is in charge - make sure teammates
are in the correct positions and know what responsibilities
are. Puck possession wins games and face-offs are critical.
Poise with the puck “you have more time than you
think but not as much as
you’d like”
D-to-D passing in all areas of the ice, -spread out and
use the whole width
of the ice.
Pass the puck with conviction. Always face the play, be
ready for a pass or a loose puck,and always be a good target.
Using your defensemen in the offensive zone/activate the
defense high cycles, sniper shots to the net.Have them join
the attack as 5-man units.
Understanding the GAP!!!Most important facet of the game,
all areas of the ice take time and space away from opponent.
Have fun with the kids in a hard working environment, reward
kids for doing small things correctly like taking a hit,
- blocking a shot,- nice assist, - big save, - drawing a
penalty, - leadership, etc…
Play hard without the puck, work to get open, support teammates
in all
areas of ice.
Lastly Parents, make sure your team coaches are positive and
not screaming at the kids all the time. Take a step back once
in a while and realize this is just a game and these are your
kids!!! Don’t take it too seriously. If you lose, there
is always tomorrow.Even a loss is a hockey lesson.
Have fun,
Jeff Serowik, President
Pro Ambitions Hockey, Inc.
PO Box 565 Dover, MA 02030
508 497-1089 www.proambitions.com
