Kids Hockey Advancement Society's 2nd Annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Fundraising Tournament

Tucker Hockey is pleased to extend it's support to the 2nd Annual Texas Holdem Poker Tournament for KidSport through the Kids Hockey Advancement Society.  We raised just under $9,000.00 last year for KidSport!

The date is Friday March 18, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Stampede Casino.  The entry fee is $150.00 and there is room for 120 players only so if you are interested, I suggest you sign up quick as I think it will fill up fast.

You must register BEFORE Monday, March 14^th, 1:00pm.

Attached is the link to the invite with all the pertinent information on it, click on the link provided to register, and send in your cheque ASAP.

Invite:  http://www.seisware.com/WebFiles/Media/PokerTournament_2011.pdf

Registration:  http://www.kids-hockey.ca/register_poker.html

Details:  http://www.seisware.com/WebFiles/Media/PokerDetails2011.pdf

We will have  local “celebrities” there, one at each table.  We currently have Joffrey Reynolds, Burke Dales, Mike Labinjo, Rob Cote, Charleston Hughes, Wes Lysack (now with the Argos) from the Stamps and Derek Bidwell (CTV), Camilla Di Giuseppe (CTV), Vickie Chase (CTV), Jock Wilson (QR-77AM), Craig Button (former Flames G.M, NHL Network), Terry DiMonte (Q-107FM morning host), Mike Williamson (Hitmen Head Coach)

Please help me support this cause, it will be a blast.  Feel free to pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.

Last year 90% of the players had either never played poker before and/or never played in a poker tournament.  So we cater to having fun and raising money for a great cause.

Hope to see you there. 

Cheers

The Merits of One-on-One Coaching

Throughout the year, there are many group hockey development programs to choose from: power skating, hockey skills, checking, three-on-three and conditioning, etc. However, if a player is serious about reaching his or her short and long term hockey goals, they must consider one-on-one coaching.

Advantages

There are many advantages of private/specialized one-on-one sessions, including:

• More personable – players receive closer attention
• Proper assessment of a player’s skills
• Customized on-ice programs to suit needs and abilities
• More hands on approach/input from parents/players
• More effective way to bridge the skill gap and speed up improvement process every time a player skates
• Times and dates determined by parents/players – better suited to a busy schedule (before and after school)
• Enhance hockey skills as well as life skills, self confidence and self esteem
• Qualified and experienced instruction to help achieve short and long term hockey goals

Benefits Outweigh Costs

• Concerns often addressed are:
• Programs are more expensive than group programs but the benefits outweigh the costs if a player/parent are serious about hockey advancement
• Can’t afford One-on-One? Get together 2 or 3 players of similar skill, age and desire from a club, team or neighborhood to help share the costs
• Participants experience guaranteed improvements and enjoyment – love of the game

Tucker Hockey Provides Proven One-on-One Coaching

Please call Rex Tucker at 403-244-5-37 to discuss potential programs, customized curriculums, hockey instruction and philosophies, schedules and rate structures.

Visit our website at www.tuckerhockey.com for more information.

Quality Instruction – Read and Adjust to your Audience

The skill level of the players will affect your on-ice curriculum. An instructor needs to provide drills which stretch the players but do not frustrate them – due to lack of success – but neither bores them – due to the drill being too easy/not challenging enough. A teaching progression from the basic building blocks, intermediate, advanced and pro type drills should be incorporated.

It is definitely an art. It’s important to teach hockey skills and correct errors but equally important to keep players moving on the ice – to give each player enough quality repetitions of the drills. Especially if there are 20 or more players on the ice for a session.

When an instructor attempts to teach tactical skills and the core of the group do not have the sufficient technical skills, the drills will be executed poorly and the instructors and players will be frustrated with the results or lack of results. For example, during a practice session and instructor may try doing some 2 on 1 drills. However, if the defensemen lack adequate backward skating skills and /or the forwards lack good passing skills the the drill execution falls apart. The coach will have to improve on the technical skills of the backwards skating and passing in stride prior to doing 2 on 1 drills. Otherwise, both the coach and the players will get frustrated with the lack of good results.

Age will also play a part. If the players are really young such as tyke or novice, it is important to incorporate a good fix of fun drills / games within the skill development programs. Their attention span is lower and they lose interest quickly. Often they are not looking to perfect a drill but just have fun while performing the skill. For example, an instructor can work on the technical skill of proper knee bend and the kids can have fun as well by performing the Gorilla drill.

As well, if players are AA/AAA caliber, it’s important to teach skill development but also to challenge the players. Push then with advanced drills with proper technique and execution as well as high intensity and conditioning components. For example the 6 and 12 o’clock skating agility drill on the circle can be taught first with proper technique, then quicker feet and then with a puck to stretch more advanced players so as to add a higher intensity and conditioning component.

Remember, no matter what he age or skill level sometimes players are tired and have low energy levels so an instructor may have to tone down the practice session and ahjust curriculum accordingly.

By reading and adjusting properly to your audience, the instructor ensures a positive learning environment and maximum benefits achieved for all parties involved, especially the players.