Our First EBook is Available Now!
Posted by Don MacAdam
Ice Hockey Conditioning—Made Easy!
Discover how to have fast, strong, totally fit hockey players all year long.
If you are a coach or a player who has loads of questions and little time to study how to train smart and effectively, The Hockey Conditioning Handbook is for you.
When you apply The Hockey Conditioning Handbook training principles you will develop quicker foot speed, faster skating, harder shots, and more powerful checking.
The book shows you how to apply the principles of training in the off-season, pre-season, in-season, and post-season. The Hockey Conditioning Handbook also provides specific examples you can use when putting together your practice sessions. What could be easier?
Click on Store above and get the rest of the promotional information on The Hockey Conditioning Handbook
Team Slogan Help From the Olympic Home Team
Posted by Don MacAdam
For some of you, one of the things on your list this time of year is select a slogan to rally the team around for the coming season. You are likely looking for something to inspire and motivate your players and fans.
Since the Olympics are in full swing in Beijing, why not get some slogan inspiration from the home team. The Chinese are kicking butt, so these slogans must work!
Here is an article from Geoffrey York of the Globe and mail.
BEIJING - If you’re wondering how China’s athletes have managed to win so many gold medals so fast, you might consider how much pressure they face from their coaches and state officials.
It’s just one of the many reasons for their success, but it must be a factor. Everyone in China is pushing them to be the best in the world, to bring glory to the country in its Olympic year.
Consider, for example, the official slogans at their training sessions. Here are some of the slogans printed on the walls of the Chinese training camps, as collected on the China Digital Times website:
From the training camp of the Chinese weightlifting team: “The motherland is above everything; strike for gold in the Olympics; lift up the world; hold up hope; stay away from steroids.”
From the training camp of the Chinese shooting team: “Die in the fight for the gold, instead of surviving just for the sake of participation.”
From the training camp of the Chinese gymnastics team: “Leaders put pressure, subordinates put pressure. Pressure each other. Pressure oneself. There will be no breakthrough if one does not take the hardest hardship; there will be no champion if one does not go through the ultimate pressure.”
Who said fun had to be part of sport….
The Off-Season is Upon Us–Time to Get Training
Posted by Don MacAdam
Now that the excitement of the NHL free agency spending spree seems to have run its course, it is time for hockey players to switch focus. For you Canadian players out there, July 1, Canada Day, celebrations are long over. The same goes for any Americans with July 4th hangovers long since cleared up.
The off-season is when the serious conditioning work has to be done. Ideally, you have a great summer program that your team has tailored to your particular training needs. Or, you are working with a personal trainer to meet these same objectives.
Time is running out.
Major junior camps start in late August, only 8 week away.
NHL rookie camps have about 9 to 10 weeks before they start.
University and college programs will be hitting the ice in roughly 12 weeks.
Minor hockey and senior programs are also about 12 weeks away from starting.
Ideally, a hockey player needs about 12 weeks of quality training to be able to go into the pre-season with conditioning components like the energy systems, strength, and flexibility at the levels where they need to be.
It is never too late to start.
Need help?
The Hockey Conditioning Handbook comes to this site this week as a downloadable ebook. The handbook contains all the information you need to put together a great off-season training program.
The ebook also has the training information you need to get you through the rest of your hockey year: In-Season, Post-Season and Pre-Season training in a nutshell. The material is easy to use and includes illustrations and sample drills. It is adaptable to all ages and can be used by both male and female hockey players.
Look for The Hockey Conditioning Handbook on this site and get training!
A Great Day for Hockey on Canada Day
Posted by Don MacAdam
July 1 is the day Canadians celebrate the birth of their country, proudly wave the Canadian flag, and parade about in their favorite red and white apparel. Canada Day eh!
There is a special hockey touch to celebrations this year. It has become a custom that members of the Stanley Cup winning team get individual possession of the Cup for 48 hours to create their own personal celebration.
Daniel Cleary, a member of the Stanley Cup winning Detroit Red Wings got his 48 hours with the Cup on June 30 and July 1, Canada Day, 2008. He took the Cup back to Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, on the east coast of Canada. Cleary is the first Newfoundlander to have his name engraved on the Cup.
“To win the Stanley Cup is a life-long dream that has now been fulfilled thanks in part to the overwhelming support I have received from my family, friends and the people of this province,” Cleary said in a news release.
“I am so proud of this accomplishment and grateful to all those who taught me along the way.”
Following the final game in the Stanley Cup finals, it seemed that every member of the Red Wings organization was interviewed. The most common question asked- was there someone special the person was sharing the Cup win with? Cleary was one of the very few who went beyond the standard “…my team mates, my family”. He also thanked his first hockey coach back in Harbour Grace, 72 year old Dick Power. Now that is special.
This was certainly a celebration of pride: the pride Cleary’s community has in his accomplishments, pride people show for Canada, and pride for Canada’s most loved game-hockey.
July 1, 2008 was a great day for Canada and hockey in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.
It’s Hockey Coach Firing and Hiring Season
Posted by Don MacAdam
With four new NHL head coaches being announced recently, and two on Friday the 13th, I guess we can’t call hockey coaches and management superstitious.
Most coach hirings come with the usual quotes from owners and GM’s; “…he is he right fit for our team”, “…he brings discipline”, “…brings intensity”. They are all touted as the best man for the job. Typically, at the pro level at least, the ‘best man’ has about a three year shelf life.
At most levels of the game a hockey coach has a similar job description. Knowledge of tactics and strategies, the ability to develop players, run quality practices, handle the stress of game situations, and the ability to motivate players are common traits that we look for in a coach.
There are a couple of traits that will set a few coaches apart from others-communication skills and integrity.
Communication skills are important at any level of coaching. Most coaches are good talkers. The great ones are also good listeners. Mastering the different forms of verbal and nonverbal communication will be a tremendous asset for anyone.
Integrity speaks to the core of the person. The elite coach will base all his coaching on his integrity. There won’t be any attempts to fool players, staff or media. Players will be the first to see through a coach. Others will soon follow.
Strong organizations make great hires almost all the time. Coaching is rarely easy, but a coach in a quality environment has a far better chance to be successful. During the hiring process, the first place an organization, or the individual doing the hiring, should look is at the structure and culture of their organization. This is a key factor in deciding who should be hired and how successful the new coach will be.
“Coaches are hired to be fired”. Bet you heard that one before. There are all kinds of reasons why coaches eventually hear that the organization is ‘…going in a different direction’. Lack of regular season or playoff success is a common reason. One that grates me is ‘the players didn’t like the coach’. When the inmates are running the asylum, nothing much good gets accomplished. Sometimes, the coach just needs to be replaced. Maybe the reason a coach gets fired is the most common reason for a firing-the boss just doesn’t like you.
The coaching profession is no place for a superstitious person. Neither is it a place for management who don’t start the firing and hiring process with an honest look inward.
Winning the Stanley Cup with Defense, Leadership, Experience–and Europeans
Posted by Don MacAdam
The 2008 Stanley Cup final round was just great hockey to watch. With so many players from so many different countries, it really shows there is a growing world wide love for the game.
Both teams were great defensively. Most involved in the sport are quite well aware that, to win a championship at any level, a team has to be outstanding defensively. Pittsburgh was very good defensively-Detroit was outstanding.
Leadership from captains Crosby and Lidstrom on down through both rosters was evident every game. And in the process, as Eric Duhatschek pointed out in his June 5,2008 Globe and Mail article, Lidstrom became the first European captain of a Stanley Cup winning team.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” said Lidstrom, after he received the Stanley Cup from commissioner Gary Bettman Wednesday night after the Red Wings closed out the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-2 nail-biter, which them the best-of-seven series in six hard-fought games. Playing against a high-octane Penguins’ attack that obliterated three successive Eastern Conference opponents, the Red Wings won their fourth Stanley Cup in 11 years with defence, pure and simple. They surrendered just 10 goals in six games, with Lidstrom leading the way.
“The main thing is, we didn’t get rattled,” said Lidstrom. “Experience has a lot to do with that. That gives the whole team some calmness - that we’re not going to panic.”
In the opening period, the Swedish trio of Lidstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Zetterberg killed 93 seconds of a two-man advantage in the first period, an opportunity that could have changed the tone and tenor of the game.
That clean efficient kill demonstrated the Red Wings’ twin trademarks — skill and poise — both of which are embodied in Lidstrom’s play. He doesn’t have Malkin’s “wow” factor; or Sidney Crosby’s, or even Zetterberg’s. He just gets the job done, in the same calm fashion as the rest of his team.
Experience was an advantage Detroit had in the finals and it is what all those super talented young Pittsburgh players gained for the next time.
Can’t wait until next year.
Honesty and Mentoring: Trademarks of a Successful Coach
Posted by Don MacAdam
Mike Babcock is the very successful head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. An excerpt from a recent newspaper article points to two reasons for his success-honesty and mentoring. In the article, he appears to have little problem accepting part of the blame for his team losing a game in the Stanley Cup finals. No excuses or coach speak here. Just an honest assessment of what happened. Refreshing, don’t you think?
The article also mentions how Babcock also talked with Dave King, former NHL head and assistant coach, and former coach of Canada’s National Team. He is one of the most respected coaches in hockey. Babcock uses King, Scotty Bowman, and several others as mentors.
Following is a portion of Eric Duhatschuk’s May 30/08 article in the Canadian newspaper, the Globe and Mail.
PITTSBURGH — Mike Babcock woke up yesterday morning after the Detroit Red Wings’ first loss in the Stanley Cup final and did what he usually does the morning after a game: He talked to his wife and he talked to a fellow coach, Dave King.
It wasn’t necessarily in that order.
Babcock does it for reasons that he patiently explains all the time: That lifetime learning is a core belief, and that no matter how long he stays in hockey, he doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.
Babcock was blunt about where part of the fault lay for Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins - a loss that cut Detroit’s lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1. He admitted to overplaying his two best forwards, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, although he added that they didn’t do a good job of keeping their shifts short enough.
Honesty is a ‘must have’ quality to be successful. It might take people awhile to find out you are not honest, but they will eventually figure it out. Players will be the first group to see any lack of honesty. An important rule for coaches- Never try to fool your players. It can’t be done for any significant length of time.
Mentors have the ability to bring the best out in your coaching. We don’t have to learn everything ourselves. Get great mentors and find out what they have learned. Share ideas, ask questions and be sure to listen.
After the Final Horn-Making the Post Season Positive
Posted by Don MacAdam
The final horn has sounded to end the season. Now what to do? As the head coach you need a plan of attack to deal with the post season. Your emotions might range from utter joy to relief to utter despair, based on the success of your season. If your final game was for the championship, you were likely thrilled about your season, especially if you won. If the final game was the last of a long string of painful results, then the season likely couldn’t end soon enough. Every post season should have two elements: 1. An honest and thorough evaluation system that will allow all involved have a positive experience and a chance to grow within their role with the team. 2. Information gathering system to put things in place for the future that will lead to better results for all. Here are some points to make this happen.
- End of Season Physicals. Depending on the level, exit physicals may not be required. They are still a good idea. At the professional level they are typically mandatory and players and teams keep detailed records of all medical issues. Deal with all health issues now and institute a follow up system to ensure proper treatments have been completed.
- End of Season Player Meetings. The coaching staff meets individually with each player. Using notes from the same type of meeting that was held before the season began, and additional notes compiled throughout the season, the staff will review the player’s performance. This should be a meeting that covers all the important issues concerning the player. Allow a free flow of communication between all. Player feedback is an important component of the meeting. Assess the past season in an honest and constructive way. Set goals for the off season in areas like conditioning and nutrition. Look ahead to the next season and start the process of goal setting by giving each player an idea of the expectations the staff has for them. Be sure to get all necessary contact information from each player (phone numbers, email address, mailing address).
- Staff Evaluations. Follow the same format as the player meetings. This is a great time to get feedback that can help grow the team, your staff, and you personally.
- Personal Evaluation. Time for self-evaluation. This can be a tough one and it needs to be honest. If at all possible, find a mentor who would give an honest assessment of your performance. This is a great time for a second opinion. Don’t allow the team record to be your main reference point in evaluating your personal performance. Also try to build in personal evaluation questions when meeting with players and staff.
- Inventory. Before everything is packed away for the summer, take an inventory of equipment, pucks and pylons, supplies, etc. Make a hard copy that you can share with the appropriate people. Then everyone will know what needs to be replenished before the start of next season. Be sure to identify any additional needs for next year.
- Thank You Notes. This is never a bad thing. The notes might be in the form of a highlight DVD for the players. They could be an autographed stick to a sponsor or a key supporter. It can be a simple as looking into someone’s eyes as you deliver a firm ‘thank you’ handshake.
- Become a Fan Again. If teams at your level are still playing, try to watch some games. Check out other levels of competition as well and see if there are things others are doing that you could implement and benefit from. This is a great chance to pick up ideas– good and bad. Focus on learning from successful people and successful programs.
- Take a Mental Health Break. Your players have likely seen and heard enough from you for awhile. Once you use the suggestions in this post, give yourself a break from your hockey routine. Do something different like go fishing or hiking. Leave all the issues related to the past season behind for awhile. You have done your evaluations and have taken the lessons learned from last season with you.
Start to re-energize yourself.
Hockey Sensei gets a Logo
Posted by Don MacAdam
A big part of getting the Hockey Sensei project going was being able to understand at least the basics of how a web site works. Since I was living in Dayton, Ohio and was involved in hockey, it was inevitable that I would meet David Esrati. He is the owner of The Next Wave, a creative advertising and marketing agency (www.thenextwave.com). He is also a hockey player and fan.
And, David runs Websitetology, a course for people like me who need all the help we can get to build and maintain a web site. Go to www.websitetology.com to get details. I have been to two sessions and each has been invaluable getting this site up and running.
Now, time to talk about the Hockey Sensei logo. David came up with it, based on what the site is about and we are trying to accomplish. I love it, I didn’t have to request it, David just did it.
By the way, the name Hockey Sensei was David’s idea as well. I love it as well.
The Elements of Great Public Speaking: How to Be Calm, Confident, And Compelling
Posted by Don MacAdam
Lyman MacInnis is one of my favorite authors. Actually, he is one of my favorite people on the planet. That aside, THE reason I am recommending this book is because I know this book will be a valuable asset to all of you out there.One area where coaches have to be great is communication. Regardless of the level, coaches are often in situations where the ability to get their message across is important to the success of players, the team, and the organizations they represent.
Whether the coach is teaching a player in a 1 on 1 situation, giving a motivational talk to the entire team, or addressing the media, so much of the information in THE ELEMENTS OF GREAT PUBLIC SPEAKING will be of great value.
Advanced level players can also benefit from the book in media and public appearance situations.
Here are some comments on the book from Amazon.
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Great speakers aren’t just born; they prepare and they practice. THE ELEMENTS OF GREAT PUBLIC SPEAKING takes the fear out of taking the podium, distilling essential techniques and tricks for just about any speaking occasion. Experienced businesspeople, nervous students, best men, and eulogists alike can benefit from the author’s simple, direct, and tested advice on everything from body language and word choice to responding to the audience and overcoming stage fright. Because there’s no such thing as a boring topic-just boring speakers-ELEMENTS shows how to look, sound, and act like someone worth listening to.
From the Publisher
• A concise yet authoritative guide to bringing ease and confidence to public speaking in both business and social settings. • Each of the 18 advice-packed chapters is recapped “in a nutshell” for quick reference. • Includes material on how to chair a meeting, present an award, toast a wedding, deliver a eulogy, give a keynote address, and more. • Written by an internationally known speaker who has taught communication skills for more than 30 years.
