Skills Coaches

[Guest]

As spring and summer hockey heat up and players work to refine their games parents are bombarded with options for “skills coaches” it seems like anyone with a pair of skates is willing to throw their hat into the arena.  Why do our rinks allow this? How do you separate the good and reputable coaches vs the frauds? Seems like traveling snake oil salesmen to me.  I have my coaches and clinics but I feel for those families new to the sport who just want to give their kids an edge

[Guest]

Rinks have to fill ice slots. Some rinks have skills coaches and advertise for the clinics. Others rent the ice and the skills coach advertises on their own. Either way the best way to sort through the BS is to ask other parents, coaches, and maybe post something on Facebook parent pages to ask for help. At this time of year, I work with my PW kid off ice on shots, stick handling and training. We only do skating clinics in Spring and do not even do Spring Hockey teams. I believe the whole athlete must be developed, other sports help and training off-ice is key. Once our Spring Skating clinics/lessons are over we get off the ice for 10-12 weeks so out kid can work on other things and also take a break to avoid burnout. Good luck!

[Guest]

the best development for spring summer will happen off ice , off ice work outs , stick handling , shooting all can be done outside on rollerblades while enjoying the weather

[Guest]

Play lacrosse!

[Guest]

Play lacrosse!

100% agree. Also have kids join swim team, go to another sports summer camp, go put and run around/play with friends. Anything but be on the ice. Every kid needs a break and must work other muscles. You will be surprised how good a kid gets over the summer by just playing other sports and working non-hockey muscles.

[Guest]

In my opinion the best coaches are the ones not advertising but getting kids by word of mouth. They get referrals rather than bombard people on Facebook. The rink might put a post up, but that is it. Usually these coaches coach teams during the season and have a following. Some players may play for one coach during the season, but go to another teams coach for skills/privates. Also there is a standard and that is USA Hockey certification. Just because someone played in college or the pro's does not mean they can coach. Also all coaches must work on things that are age specific so certification is a must. In my opinion it is the parents fault. Some parents that think they know everything about hockey, want their kid to learn "advanced" skills that are reserved for older ages. Everyone needs to realize kids must master the basics, then continue to practice the basics to reach their full potential. Learning the proper skating stride is #1. Then move on to edge work. After this edge work/skating with the puck. Then doing all this faster and faster. Shooting can be refined later. This is all a process and parents that want that next level training are missing the boat. The most important skills beside skating can be learned off-ice. Stop spending all this money and do more off-ice and other sports.