Leading up to our Barrie tournament, I started to feel our group slipping into a pattern: kids getting mixed up on their positions, unsure where to go on the forecheck and backcheck, and ending up out of place. It wasn’t effort or attitude—they were simply overwhelmed. We were giving them too much to think about, too quickly, and the game started to look stressful for them. You could see them overthinking every shift, panicking with the puck, and forgetting the simple habits that make them successful.
That’s when I made a change. Instead of giving players three or four instructions, I went to one clear focus. And I let them carry that single priority for two shifts. Two shifts, one job.
Depending on the line, that job might be different. For one group, it might be driving the net hard with their stick down. For another, it could be board-play positioning or winning battles on the wall. Most of the time, it was about reinforcing simple winger habits, because that’s where some of our biggest breakdowns had started.
When I leaned in on the bench to give direction, I kept it to one thing. “On this shift, no flybys—don’t overskate the defender with the puck.” Or, “Wingers, stay above the hash marks and make sure the puck gets out.” Clean, simple, manageable.
The difference showed pretty quickly. Parents even started mentioning how the kids looked more organized and confident in their positioning as the tournament approached. The feedback became a lot more positive—not because we changed systems, but because we stopped overwhelming the players with information they weren’t ready to process.
And to be honest, this wasn’t just good for them—it was good for me. Coaching U Sports for eight years meant I was used to working with 18–22-year-olds. Now I’m coaching 8- and 9-year-olds. Things that feel “simple” to me aren’t simple to them. I talk fast. I can be animated. I assume understanding where there isn’t any. This two-shift rule forced me to slow down and communicate at their level.
We also added a new habit between periods. Before I speak, the whole team and I take a deep breath together. It sounds small, but it settles them—and it settles me. It gives me a second to gather my thoughts before breaking down what we did well or what needs to be better. When I’m calm, they’re calm. When I’m clear, they listen clearly.
This wasn’t a magic trick. It was just simplifying the game for kids who want to learn but were getting overwhelmed. One focus for two shifts. Reset. Repeat. It helped us settle in at the right time, and it’s something we’re going to keep building on moving forward.
About the Author
Jesse Candela is a regional scout in the OJHL, a U10 Rep A coach, and a contributor to The Coaches Site. He shares real, practical experiences from the rink to help coaches at all levels improve how they teach the game.
