For a few years now, we’ve noticed the emergence of many individually-skilled hockey players. But how can we most optimally develop these skill sets among hockey players from all ages?
If Canadian minor hockey (Initiation – U7 and Novice – U9) is evolving towards cross-ice/half-ice play to increase play time, puck-possession time and player development, the same tactics should be applied for teaching, developping and maintaining individual skills with older players.
While many coaches want players to be able to perform in different systems, it is important to give these players the proper tools in order to have them perform at their peak. These skills include shooting, passing, skating, stick-handling, angling and many more.
Station or split work with older groups allows for an increase in repetition in a condensed amount of time and develops important technical movements essential to the development and performance of hockey players. Further, the nature of this type of work implies a smaller area of space for the players to work with, thus emulating the more restrictive-area hockey played today. Practicing with these space limitations prepares players to better adapt to certain systems and perform better come game time and while under greater pressure. Finally, working with a smaller group also allows a more personal approach connecting players and coaches in a positive way. I believe it's also important to gradually add physical constraints to create situations where players must make reads, adjust and adapt to changing environment.
Individual skills should be an important part of player development and the maintenance of new skills. The skills coach and head coach should always work together to integrate it into the season plan.
here are some examples / ideas for station based drills
