Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Tucker Tips: How to Improve a player's scoring ability?


How to increase a player’s scoring ability and point totals is a common question at all levels of hockey. When analyzing the hockey skill set, the technical progression is developing skating, to puck control, to passing and to shooting. Skating is the most important hockey skill. With better skating skills a player’s edges will improve. It will also enhance overall balance / ability to transfer weight, to stride with the puck and create a stronger foundation for better shooting and scoring opportunities. In addition, good puck control, passing skills and hockey sense are essential in executing effective offensive tactics which will enhance scoring chances in a game.

When thinking of shooting – use the following philosophy.  If a player has a better shot, the player is more confident, with increased confidence more shots are taken in a game and therefore more goals being scored. Wayne Gretzky has said   “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

The natural shooting progressions are proper mechanics, accuracy, quick release, hardness / power and shooting under pressure / game situations. There are various types of shots - wrist, snap, slap, flip, backhand and one timer shooting. Each type of shot must be mastered from a stationary position first, then while moving and later under pressure / game situations. Brett Hull, one of the greatest goal scorers of all – time, practiced shooting 200 pucks each practice. Alexander Ovechkin is often at the top of the leader board each season with shots on goal and goals scored. However, he requires nearly 400 to 500 shots per season to score 50 goals!

For example, the accuracy of a player’s wrist shot involves the following components: good control of the puck on the stick blade, the player’s head is up, player’s eyes are on the target, and the player points the stick blade towards the chosen target on follow through. At the minor hockey level, the wrist shot in stride is the most common shot. Whereas at the professional level it’s the snap shot in stride. Next time you watch a game make a mental note of the most common shots taken – the game within the game!

Once a player has developed and become accomplished with the various technical shot progressions, the next step is to learn, practice and incorporate more individual offensive tactics into their game. Offensive tactics provide a player with more options on the ice, a player will maintain position of the puck in the offensive zone and create more time and space for themselves. Finding and creating space are two skills that accomplished goal scorers such as Jarome Iginla have mastered. Offensive tactics include but are not limited to the following: Driving to the net / shooting in stride, deking, deflections, wrap - arounds, walk outs, delays, open up pivots, Russian stop ups, outside to inside cuts, inside to outside cuts, stagger and lateral moves etc. A good combination of technical shooting ability and individual offensive tactics provides a player with more tools in the tool box.

Sidney Crosby, the world’s greatest hockey player, always keeps working on his game – face-offs, puck protection, scoring ability, and most recently his backhand shot. Sidney Crosby is extremely talented but no one works harder to improve on their game. Sid, we hope to see you again in the NHL working your on ice magic in the very near future! If a player wants to be a better scorer and /or a more complete player he or she must continue to work on their game.

A good technical hockey skills coach can help a player improve his or her offensive game. Remember if a player has a better shot, the player will be more confident in their shot, will take more shots on net, and with the increased volume of shots the  player will score more goals! This is a simple rule in hockey to help develop and take a player’s game to the next level!

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Are You Ready?


It happens every season. The Calgary midget hockey system is heavily scouted and young players are chasing the dream…the dream of someday playing in the NHL. The road to the NHL travels though Junior A Hockey. The question brought forth – Are you ready?

Midget players age 16 and 17 years of age receive many invitations to attend rookie Junior A hockey camps held in April and May each year. Parents pay the clubs any where from $100 to $150 to allow their son the opportunity to showcase his skills. Many of the camps invite 100 to 120 prospects. Often this is a good revenue steam for the Junior A clubs. Parents and their son have many choices – it’s not uncommon for players to attend upwards of 5 rookie camps. It’s important for the player to be prepared for each camp ( expect a grueling schedule, play with intensity, look like you want it and do your best to control the nerves, fears and deal with the uncertainty of the situation). Realistically look at the opportunities available from each team. It’s better to attend 2 or 3 camps (quality) vs. 4 or 5 camps (quantity). If the player has a good showing, he may get invited back to participate in the late August main camp with upwards of 35 to 60 players which will include the returning  Junior A veterans as well.

Players and their parents often chase the dream of playing Junior A hockey either Western Hockey League (Tier 1) or Alberta Junior Hockey League (Tier 2) at the early age of 16 or 17 years old by skipping a year or two of midget eligibility to get on the fast track of advancing one’s hockey career. But a caution to parents and players who receive promises from scouts and coaches about being highly regarded and the opportunity to play on their Junior A team for the upcoming season. Many 16 year olds will go and tryout for a team. It will be for many their first time away from home. They may have limited interpersonal / social skills, and few life skills such has budgeting monies, purchasing personal items and making life decisions. Players may experience homesickness and the juggling of highly competitive hockey with education can seem overwhelming. The rookie players are hanging out with older and more mature young men (18 – 20 years old) and peer pressure may lead them down the path they won’t normally follow. By moving away from home they are giving up familiar support groups such as family and high school friends. Promises are made to them about making the team, the player’s individual role on the team, the amount of playing time and position played. Players are exposed to physical, mental and emotional stresses and strains unaccustomed to in their bantam or midget days in Calgary.

Yes, there’s the odd player who is ready to play Junior A hockey at the early age of 16 years old. Chris Philips, of the Ottawa Senators played Junior A (Tier 2) hockey with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons at the ripe old age of 16, but he was living at home. The Alberta Junior Hockey League allows up to 2 roster spots per team. Alberta resident players can go play in the Manitoba, Saskatchewan or B.C. junior A hockey leagues after they have exhausted their 3 year’s of midget eligibility.

Several summers ago I taught a 16 year old midget player a few elite power skating sessions prior to him competing in one of the Western Hockey League (Tier 1) main August camps. The player was one of the last cuts from the camp. He returned to Calgary and tried out for Midget AAA in his city quadrant. He got cut! Then tried out for Midget AA hockey in his quadrant and again got cut! Finally, he ended up playing Midget Division 1 community hockey. At this level of hockey, he experienced lower quality training, coaching and competition and this hindered his development and the ability to advance his hockey career.

What happened? Well the player was so beat up physically, mentally and emotionally from tryouts, first the WHL, then Midget AAA, and later Midget AA. The player’s self confidence and esteem regressed to an all time low! So parents, who decide to let their son tryout for a junior team away from home at the early age of 16 years old, should consider the pros and cons of such a major hockey career move. What is best for your son’s overall growth and development? Is your son ready?

Here are a few pros and cons to consider when making such a big decision whether to stay in Calgary and play midget quadrant hockey versus going away from home to play Junior A hockey.

Pros of Staying and Playing in Calgary:

  • Love and support of family
  • Social network of friends and former teammates
  • Local Schooling
  • Play quadrant hockey in Calgary and be a first line player (lots of ice time, a leadership role and enhance self confidence) or go to Junior A team and potentially be a 4th line player or on the taxi squad. Note: In the Western Hockey League there’s a 16 year old rule – the player must play a minimum of 42 games or he can’t be on the roster.
  • The Calgary midget system is vigorously scouted each season
  • The experience of playing in the most prestigious Midget tournament in the world – the Macs Midget Tournament Dec 26 – Jan 1 in Calgary
  • A player will get many Junior A offers if  he’s good enough, there’s no rush to take the first one at such an early age

Cons of Going Away to Play:
  • Not being mentally or emotionally mature enough to handle being away from home
  • Temptations of a new social circle – booze, drugs, girls, and even unwanted predators
  • Financial burden of attending the tryout camps – fees, hotels, meals and transportation
  • No guaranteed investment in your success by the Junior A team – as of yet, just promises?
  • Possibility of being traded – and therefore no choice or say in your hockey future
  • The promises made by a coach or  a general manager could change if they are fired and replaced by a new coaching regime or management team
  • Junior A hockey is a faster  and more physical game, with bigger and stronger players  – injuries and concussions can be more common as a result

Yes, some players have made the jump from midget hockey to the AJHL (Tier 2) and even WHL (Tier 1) at the early age of 16 without any major problems. However, there are a fewer success stories and far more failures instead. Parents and their sons should be careful when chasing the dream to play hockey at a higher level. Is this a good fit at this point in their hockey career? Unless the player is a true blue chip / can’t miss prospect, the idea of playing Junior A may not be the better option. Staying in Calgary to enhance one’s player growth and development may very well be the better choice. It’s important for the parents and their son to sit down, have a good heart to heart chat, weigh the pros and cons – consciously think things through and ask “maybe we should wait another year or two?” Self manage the situation and hockey futures and ask      “Are you ready?”

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

5th Annual Kids Hockey Advancement Society's Fundraising Golf Tournament


Tucker Hockey is proud to support the Kids Hockey Advancement Society's 5th Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament, as the Event Sponsor. We fully endorse the Society as it endeavors to raise funds for such a great cause. Personally, I am committed as well as other dedicated team members to contribute the volunteer time and effort as required to ensure the continuing success of the Society.

We look forward with great anticipation to this year's tournament, scheduled for Wednesday September 12th, 2012, at the Inglewood Golf and Curling Club.

The Kids Hockey Advancement Society was incorporated to provide an opportunity for children to play, to develop their skating and hockey skills and to participate in organized hockey - the nation's greatest sport.

The benefit to these children in terms of physical fitness, mental health and well being and social development are significant and well- documented. The benefits to society as these children mature into exemplary and responsible citizens are even more significant.

Thanks in large part to the enduring loyalty from a tight community of donors, the Kids Hockey Advancement Society has continued to see strong fundraising dollars come in and with the addition of new partners last year, we've been able to maintain a high bar that we set for ourselves, even with an economy still struggling to recover.

In July of 2010, the Society raised $15,000 to help children acquire hockey gear and register for organized hockey through KidSport of Calgary. An additional $1,700 was directly donated by adopting "Tuck" the Bear, a Hand Carved Wooden Bear that sits comfortably in KidSport Calgary's Corporate Office as their Mascot. He was introduced in 2010 and will continue to be adopted out each year, raising funds along the way!!

The goal in 2012 is to provide funds to KidSport of Calgary, while also personally funding individual children at the grassroots level in the community as well. The Society has once again set a high standard that we are committed to achieving, thus ensuring more deserving kids get the chance to participate in organized hockey.

We are asking for your support with this fun golf tournament. Your participation in this event will contribute to the success of this valued fundraiser.

Support the Society By:
  • Golfing - register as an individual or as a foursome. Bring your clients, friends, fellow workers and anyone that may be interested in providing the opportunity for deserving kids to participate in organized hockey.
  • Being one of our valued sponsors - such as a Day Sponsor, a Cart Sponsor, a Hole Sponsor, etc.
  • Donating tournament and live auction prizes
  • Volunteering for the organizing committee or the day of the event

Please call Christyne Kavanagh (403) 998-5035 -Tournament Director if you have any questions regarding this year's golf tournament or if you require additional information.

Please get involved and feel good about giving back!

Rex Tucker
President, Tucker Hockey

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Tucker Tips - 3 & 9 Skating Drill


Skating is the most important hockey skill. World Class skaters such as Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins display many strong technical skating skills which are transferred into tactical game skating.

Such an example of an advanced skating skill is the 3 & 9. This skating maneuver has a player turn his or her heels together i.e. in a 3 & 9 positions. Think of a time clock - the toes are pointed towards the 3 & 9 position – heels are together. Players open up their hips and this skating position offers a 180 degree side ways perspective of the ice. This requires great flexibility, deep knee bend as well as strong balance and edge control.

This 3 & 9 skating skill helps players hone skating skills as well such as:  v – starting; open up pivots which lead to agility / mobility skating. Drill progressions to help teach this skating skill are as follows:

1)      Players can practice flexibility by alternating hip openings from a stationary position on the ice. Hip open to the left, hip open to the right and later open up both hips at the same time. Open up 90 degrees each way.
2)      Next do open up pivots on the circle. Players pivot heel to heel - forward to backwards, backwards to forward, forward to backwards and backwards to forward going clockwise and later counterclockwise.
3)      Now progress to doing the 3 & 9 skill around pylons. Players can practice this skating skill by skating around two pylons in a figure eight position. Going to the left – the player leads with the left toe and positions his or her skates heel to heel and going to the right leads with the right toe and positions his or her skates heel to heel. Posture is critical to performing the skill properly. It’s very important to keep the head up and keep the butt down – a low centre of gravity sitting type position. After a player performs the drill well around two pylons, a player can practice going down the ice around 6 to 8 pylons positioned in a straight line –   the player alternates from left to right and right to left side. Coach Rex has fun with it and calls it the “Hawaii Five –O” drill   -   it’s like surfing down the ice! Play the theme music in your head when you do the skill! Both drills can be advanced by having the player do the drill with a puck. For a player who is a left handed shooter going to the left the player leads with the puck and stick around the pylons whereas when leading with the right foot the left handed shooter drags the puck from behind around the pylon. It really helps players open up the hips 180 degrees or as far as possible.

Once the technical skills of the 3 & 9 have been mastered properly a player can practice the tactical skating skills of puck protection, keep away, evasive moves and generating scoring opportunities. Sidney Crosby utilizes the 3 & 9 skating skill exceptionally well in a game especially off the wall down low in the offensive zone  – protecting the puck, playing keep away from the opposition, performing evasive moves to  shake a checker and skate off the wall and open up in the 3& 9 position to take a shot on goal. It can be a very dangerous and effective move.

As well, Jarome Iginla will often open up into the 3 & 9 position when stickhandle down the right side of the ice and over the opposition’s blue line. This position offers him a 180 degree side view of the offensive zone vs. toe skate caps pointed to the opposition’s end boards. Jarome being a right handed shooter can view the net zone, slot zone as well as any teammates breaking over the blue line   - i.e. trailers. It provides him with more options to make a play in the offensive zone.

Next time you Sidney play or other elite hockey players look for the game within the game for specialized skating skills such as the 3& 9 skating skill. To develop into an elite skater, players need to master a full curriculum of power skating skills without and with the puck. One of the specialized advanced skating skills is the 3 & 9 maneuver.