As coaches, it's easy to see a player who isn't focused, isn't communicating, or is struggling and immediately want to correct it.

But sometimes we need to stop and ask why.
A player isn't focused? Why?
A player is emotional? Why?
A player isn't communicating? Why?
A player suddenly isn't working? What's going on?

Sometimes the answer has nothing to do with hockey.

This year with my Varsity team, we're doing something different. We're scheduling one-on-one time with every player throughout the season.

Before or after each practice, one player will sit down with me and one of my assistant coaches and just...talk.
About the summer.
School.
Family.
Other sports.
Other hockey teams.
Plans for the future.
Or whatever they want to talk about.

It isn't a meeting because they're in trouble. It isn't a hockey meeting. It's simply time to get to know them.

I want to know what motivates them, what they're dealing with, what they want to accomplish and, most importantly, who they are outside of hockey.

You can't build that relationship in one conversation. It happens over time and through a lot of little interactions.

And when a player knows you actually care about them, they're going to respond differently when you have to push them, challenge them or have a tough conversation.

Before you coach the player, get to know the person.