Hockey players make hundreds of decisions throughout the course of a game, many from muscle memory. When they don’t automatically know what to do, there are options that lead to success and failure. To be a good player, smart decisions have to be made more times than not and that’s what this Global Skills Showcase presentation is all about.

Kevin Galerno, Co-owner & Director of Total Package Hockey London, preaches awareness more than anything. He wants players to be constantly scanning the ice to se what’s happening and collect as much information as possible, so when a decision is to be made, they can choose the best option possible.

To sharpen this skill, Galerno who also works as Player Development Coach for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and Skills Coach for the OHL’s London Knights, wants coaches to focus on game-like drills in practice so their skills are transferable to games. If players can make smart, aware plays in practice, they’ll be able to develop the smarts (and eventual muscle memory) needed to do them in games.

This 32-minute presentation features plenty of game-like drills you can start using with your team today!

Key Teaching Points to Help Make Better Decisions

• Awareness is key.
• When looking, look with a purpose.
• Take in information at all times.
• Adapt quickly to the play changing around you.
• When cutting back either move the puck or move your feet right away.

Common Errors

• Getting puck focussed and not being aware of the play around you.
• Letting 2 or 3 seconds pass without using that time to get your head up and evaluate what's happening around you.
• Making a decision and then not moving the puck or feet coming out of it.

Noteworthy timestamps

• 01:30 Introduction to decision making 
• 02:45 Stick handling warm up
• 07:05 Passing progression warm up
• 09:45 Puck protection under pressure
• 16:05 Neutral zone loose pucks
• 25:10 Making decision off the wall