As hockey grows in Idaho, we are confronted with many challenges in how we develop teams but we also have the great opportunity to dramatically affect the way we develop players of the future at the grass roots.
The game consists of passing, skating, making creative plays, regrouping, breaking out, puck possession, lighting fast decisions and physical play. Teams capable of achieving this type of play at all levels, experience a lot of success at many different levels. However, achieving this is no small task. This requires every player on the team to possess the skills necessary to accomplish the tasks needed and the athleticism to execute the tasks at the required level.
In past years, European teams and more specifically the Soviets had enjoyed years of dominance on the international stage deploying the skills mentioned above. The Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, and Sweden account for less than 18% of the total number of players in the world, but in the 2001-2002 season 36% of the NHL’s top 50-point scorers were comprised of players from these 5 countries. How did the soviets enjoy years of success, how did the small countries achieve that level of success?
The answer to that question is complex but there are some very simplistic concepts. First, they defined a goal of what they wanted to accomplish over the long term. They were not interested in the “quick fix” or the occasional “miracle win”, they wanted their teams to consistently dominate the international stage. So they focused on developing their youths, focusing in on developing skills and athleticism rather than developing the winning records of the youth coaches.
If we truly want to develop skilled and dominate teams we must adapt methods like the Europeans, focusing in on the development of players and not be driven by the immediate needs of parents, coaches and spectators, rather than the long-range interests of our youths. We (parents/coaches/spectators) must have patience with mistakes in practice and games. We must encourage players to try something new, experiment (try a new move) and allow them to fail. We must give the game back to the players and allowing them to develop their creativity.
Coaches, you can teach the systems and positioning as they are a very important part of the game. However, beware that there isn’t a system in the world that can compensate for lack of skill development and fundamentals. While teaching system always, always, always focus on the fundamentals. Do not allow them to do your system drills while skating, shooting or passing poorly.
Who is the next Great one? I cannot tell you, nor can you tell me, but let’s hope we as parents and coaches have the egos that allow the growth of the next one.
The goal of the greatest educators is to help students get to the point where they no longer need a teacher
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