Rules For Training A Hockey Team

"Come on, give me another rep on those chins!!"

"I know you have it in you!!"

"Faster on the cleans."

"Better turns on the shuttles, boys."

"Are you eating breakfast everyday?"

These are just some of the constant rants I yell out when training a high school hockey team.

At MBSC we train teams and we train a mixed batch of athletes. Even though we keep the program design similar to one another, I found out fast that there are different ways I train a team compared to individual athletes who do not know one another.

A strength coach's goal is make sure each athlete becomes stronger, faster, and healthier. However, a coach has to find the right niche in pushing each athlete to the next level. I feel training teams is different and I want to share my approach to success.

I feel I have been successful with teams for the following reasons:

1. Be a coach first, friend second: I always say it is easier to coach a group of athletes who don't know each other, than to coach a team, the reason being that a team tends to get comfortable around their own peers very fast and it becomes harder to hold their attention. The biggest mistake a coach can make is trying to become a friend first. Athletes are less likely to take a coach seriously if you demand respect after you become one of their friends. Always stay stern in the beginning and demand respect. Once you have their respect then you can joke around and relate to them. Remember respect will always get results. 
2. Buying into what you have to sell: Sell what? Sell yourself as a strength coach, mentor, and a teacher. I have learned that it does not matter how well you know your anatomy, or how smart you are, if you don't have an athlete's trust then you are out of luck. If you don't show how invested you are into an athlete's best interest, then your athlete will never listen, take you seriously, or get better. Make it a point to take interest and show your athlete that you care.
3. Attitude is the key to success: This continues from the second reason. Your attitude affects everybody around you. If you coach with a powerful and positive attitude, then there isn't an athlete who won't push himself or herself to success. People gravitate to positivity not negativity.
4. Goals: Ask each athlete for their goals. An athlete's goals should be specific, attainable, and realistic. As a coach you should make goals for them as well. Follow those same rules.
5. Hold athletes accountable: This is an important rule to follow. Make sure athletes commit themselves to getting better. Attendance is key.  If they are not working out, then how will they reach their goals? Make them record their numbers in the lift. They should ask questions about a lift. Athletes should demand the best from themselves as well as their coach.
6. Getting the most out of your athlete: It is crazy how athletes really don't know how hard they can push themselves when it comes to training. It is important to find out how far your athlete can be pushed and how strong they are, obviously in a safe manner.
7. Know their limits: This compliments the last rule. Once you find out how far an athlete can go, make sure you work within* those limits. Remember the goal is to make them stronger and faster, not to put them in risk of injury. Always make yourself aware of what is going on outside of the gym. Perhaps they are playing three hours of hockey right after training with you. Be smart about conditioning and lifting. Find the right mix and make the best out of what "you"* can control.
8. Nutrition, nutrition, and nutrition: I write nutrition three times because you have to constantly  remind young athletes about it. Let's be realistic. Not all teenagers are going to eat perfectly. However that does not mean we don't try to get them to eat well. Be realistic about your nutrition plan. Think about how much they can control throughout* their day. Tell them to demand better food at home. How* many parent are going to say “NO” to their child if they ask for vegetables and protein? Constantly talk to your athletes about:

•  
  • Breakfast
  • Post workout/practice nutrition
  • Making better choices (BBQ chicken pizza instead of pepperoni)
  • Eat at least 4 times a day 
  • Weight gain or body fat loss

       9. Be a role model: Show by example. Athletes will respect you more if you have done the exercise before. Also, if you enforce rules on your athletes, then make sure you follow those rules as well. Example: If no swearing is allowed, then make sure you follow that same rule. Nothing is worse than a hypocrite.

 10.If you talk the talk, then walk the walk: This goes back to an article Kevin Neeld wrote a while back. No one conditions alone  I agree with this 110%!!!  Ever since I was an intern back in 2003 I have been following this same belief. Any time there is an athlete conditioning by himself, I make sure I jump on the ship with them. I do this with my team as a whole whenever they are feeling tired and can't push anymore. I really believe it goes a long way because I gain their respect and they know I am invested into making them better.