Question:

Coach, my son is on a team where the coach is always yelling at the players for making a mistake. My son is having a hard time dealing with this and is so afraid to make a mistake, for fear of being scolded. Do you have any advice I can give him? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Holly J.

Answer:

It’s unfortunate to hear this Holly, but every hockey player who played any length of time probably has had a coach or two like the one your son is experiencing. The easiest way institute change in players is through intimidation or scare tactics. The problem lies in the fact that it is short lived and at what price? A coach only needs to win one championship or a have a couple players move on to play D1 College, Major Junior or the NHL and is viewed as a genius. But how many players did that coach affect negatively along the way? How many players stopped playing hockey because of this experience? There is a time and place for laying the hammer down on players, but it can’t happen so regularly that players start tuning the coach out, or like in your son’s case, afraid to make a mistake. Hockey has to be played with passion and creativity, and the only way to progress is through trial and error which results in mistakes from time to time.

My advice to your son is to focus on what’s in his control. I don’t care how much a coach yells and screams, I’ve never got yelled at for working too hard. Lastly, I know it’s hard for young kids to do this, but have him speak with the coach privately. Have him explain to the coach how he’s feeling, how he’s afraid to make mistakes for fear of getting yelled at. My guess is the coach will respect the mature gesture and hopefully address your son and his teammates in a different manner moving forward.

All the Best. Coach Pitter

Question:

Hello Coach Pitter, I coach a team of 9 & 10 year olds and wanted to get your thoughts on parents tying their son’s skates before games and practices? I’m old school and feel at that age, my players should be able to tie their own skates. What you think?

Thanks, Tom C.

Answer:

Hey Tom and thanks for the question. I’m old school as well, but don’t know if you can put an age limit on when a player should be able to tie their skates properly. Most players can tie their skates on their own at that age, but lack the hand and arm strength to get them tight enough. At beginning of the season at the parent/player meeting, I tell parents that they can come in the locker room and tie their player’s skates 20 minutes before any scheduled ice session. Get in and get out. This leaves plenty of time for a chalk talk if needed and players know when parents leave the room it’s time to dial it in.

Informal skates on the pond with buddies, provides the opportunity for players to work on tying their own skates as well. The reality of it is that there will come a time when players don’t want mom or dad in the locker room, especially to tie their skates. It’s kind of a right of passage for a hockey player and doesn’t have to be rushed. I don’t mind having to tie my players’ skates, as it gives me some one on one time with players to get to know them a little better. Hope this help.

Have a Sweet Hockey Day!! Coach Pitter

Question:

Coach, What color of hockey tape should I use for my daughters stick blade?

I’ve been told to use black because the goalie can’t pick the puck up coming off the stick blade. What do you recommend? Jim M.

Answer:

I’ve heard similar theories as well Jim. I always recommend using white tape on the stick blade, and here is why. Coaches are always asking players to handle the puck with their eyes up. In attempting to do this, peripheral or split vision is required so players can see the surrounding ice surface, but also the puck out of the corner of their eyes. It’s much easier for players to learn this important skill if there is a contrast of color, white tape, black puck.

Next, you have to understand that every time a ball or puck hits the stick blade, it sends a vibration up the shaft of the stick to your hands and tells you where it is on the blade. The vibration is weaker toward the toe, stronger toward the heel of the blade. We have more control stick handling toward the heel of the blade. Now, knowing this information, players are relying less on site and more on feel.

The bottom line is that players stick handle more than shoot in any given practice or game. As players get older and goalies get better, the advantages of using black tape are warranted. But at the youth levels, we are trying to teach players to handle the puck with their eyes up.

Thanks for the question and have a great day. Coach Pitter

Question:

Hi Coach Pitter, I’m 13 years old and play defense. During games I seem to get a lot of shots blocked when I shoot from the point. I know you played defense in the NHL and was wondering if you could help me? Jarrod F.

Answer:

My fellow defenseman, I feel your pain. As you continue to develop as a hockey player, it gets more difficult to score from the point. Players are bigger, goalies are better and the game is much faster. You don’t have the time and space any more for the big slapper. I was told early on in my pro career that when I had an open shot on goal, get if off quickly, get it on the net about 6” – 8” off the ice and good things will happen. If the defending forward is doing his job, he’ll be coming out at you hard in the shooting lane. Get control of the puck and look at his legs. Take one or two steps laterally and release a quick wrist or snap shot outside of one of his legs toward the net. Don’t skate toward the net, as this will reduce the time you have to get the shot off. Your teammates should be crashing the net and taking away the vision of the goalie. Four or five good quick shots toward the net a game should get you a helper or two and maybe a goal here and there. It’s much easier to play in the offensive zone, so keep the puck in there and good things will happen.

Best of luck Jarrod!! Coach Pitter