From U SPORTS to U10: Adapting Film Study for Young Players
By Jesse Candela, U10A Head Coach – Hespeler Minor Hockey / Regional Scout, Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)

Film study has always been part of my coaching DNA.

During my eight years in U SPORTS football, film wasn’t optional — it was part of the daily routine. Every play was reviewed, every mistake broken down, and every detail analyzed. You couldn’t get better without watching the tape.

When I started coaching my eight-year-old son’s hockey team last year, I had no intention of bringing that same approach to U10. In my head, it sounded a bit ridiculous — film sessions for eight-year-olds? But curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to experiment.

To my surprise, it became one of the best coaching decisions I’ve made.

At first, it was just my son and me sitting together watching clips. What I didn’t expect was how much we both learned. He’s a very visual learner, and seeing himself on video clicked in a way words never could. It helped him understand positioning, effort, and decision-making. It also became a bonding moment — something that connected us as coach and parent, but also as student and teacher.

This year, stepping into my first head coaching role, film became even more valuable. During tryouts, I was juggling so much — watching multiple players, evaluating drills, managing logistics — that I worried I was missing things. Reviewing film afterward confirmed a lot of my initial impressions, but also helped me notice players I might have overlooked in real time.

Once the season started, I began using film more deliberately. I’d send short clips to parents showing moments of great effort, or little details their kids could improve on. It wasn’t about criticism — it was about communication. It helped families see what we were teaching, and it showed me which players were paying attention to what we worked on in practice.

The biggest takeaway? Kids love seeing themselves play. It’s motivating, not intimidating — as long as it’s presented in a positive way.

I’ve also started watching other teams’ games for reference. To be honest, I haven’t found that part as valuable yet — but that’s likely just me continuing to learn and adjust from a football mindset. Hockey’s flow is different; the teaching moments aren’t always about isolated plays, but about patterns and habits. I’m learning to shift how I analyze that.

This week, we’re taking our film approach a step further. We’re hosting our first team film session, paired with a pizza party as a reward for the group’s hard work.

We don’t hand out “player of the game” awards. Instead, we celebrate team efforts — blocked shots, great backchecks, smart line changes — and each one earns a slice on our “Win as a Team, Pizza as a Team” board. Once the board is full, we celebrate together with pizza and a film night.

The goal isn’t to critique — it’s to connect. To help players see their growth, recognize good habits, and understand the game a little better each week.

Film at the U10 level isn’t about systems or scouting. It’s about learning, confidence, and enjoyment.

And if it helps a few young players fall a little more in love with the game — that’s a win worth replaying.

Three Takeaways for Coaches

1. Use film to teach, not to critique. Keep clips short, focused, and positive.

2. Show, don’t just tell. Visual learners often connect faster through film than verbal feedback.

3. Make it fun. Link film sessions to team culture — pizza, team rewards, or light commentary go a long way.