It’s cliché, but winning puck battles and dictating play are two of the most effective ways to ensure your team finds in-game success.

Evan Brownrigg, Director of Player Development with Next Gen Hockey, dives into building battle skills in his 20-minute Global Skills Showcase presentation. Brownrigg, who has helped aid the growth of Next Gen Hockey from its humble Ottawa beginnings in 2008 to being the primary facilitator for all on-ice and off-ice development for our 6,500 athletes in the Ottawa region, outlines what battles are, why battle skills are teachable, types of battles (loose pucks, 50/50 pucks, established & small area, and pursuit) before presenting drills with progressions.

“The ability to break down skills into building blocks or ‘parts’ that when reassembled in the right order will result in players fully acquiring or mastering the skill is a talent in itself,” said Aaron Wilbur, Founder of The Coaches Site. “Evan has that and brings the experience of honing his craft with seasoned pros, right down to youth players who are just beginning their hockey journey.”

The key takeaway from this presentation is that battle is a teachable skill. Increase your team’s grit and you improve your odds of winning.