Hockey is a game and it is meant to be fun!
The new guys are pretty good…
Players, parents and coaches involved in youth sports will tell you that “Having fun” is the primary reason they participate in your sports. The absence of fun is usually given as they number one reason when they quit.
I’m sure that every coach you’ve ever had has talked about “Having fun”. But what does this really mean?
Research from Dr. Amanda Visek at George Washington University does a really good job of answering this question. Dr. Visek studied an entire youth soccer organization (142 players, 37 coaches and 57 parents). They were asked to brainstorm to identify all of the things that make playing sports fun for them. She then compiled all the answers and asked the entire group to rate the importance of each idea. This research allowed her to create the FUN Map and the Not-FUN Map.
The Fun Map and Not-Fun Map
The FUN Map lists and ranks 81 things that make sports fun. The Not-FUN Map lists and ranks 91 impediments to having fun in sports. In my experience, all of these apply to hockey.
Have a look:
The Top Things That Make Hockey Fun
- Being a good sport
- Playing well together as a team
- Supporting teammates
- When players show good sportsmanship
- Trying hard
- Trying your best
- Exercising and being active
- Working hard
- Being strong and confident
- Positive coaching
- When a coach treats players with respect
- When a coach encourages the team
- Getting clear, consistent communication from coaches
- A coach who allows mistakes, while staying positive
- A coach who listens to players and values their opinions
- A friendly coach who you can talk to easily
- Learning and improving
- Being challenged to improve and get better at your sport
- Learning new skills
- Learning from mistakes
- Team Friendships
- Sharing our passions with our friends
Today’s Assignment:
- Write down ONE item from the FUN Map that makes hockey fun for you.
- Write down ONE item from the Not-FUN Map that wish never happened in hockey.
- Post your answers to the team WhatsApp group.
- Be prepared to discuss your answer at practice.
- Familiarize yourself with the Drill of the Day below.
Today’s Workout:
Time Required: 30 minutes
Complete the bodyweight STRENGTH workout (page 2) from the Avs Feed The Monster Workouts (below).
Do TWO sets of the 12 of the exercises illustrated on the Strength Workout.
You should do 10-12 reps of each exercise. For exercises that you have to do on both sides (for example, Side Planks, do 6-8 reps per side.
Do each rep slowly and focus on good form.
For your first set, use a bit less weight.
When you’ve done all the exercises, rest for two minutes and then repeat the set all the exercises.
For exercises with weights, you’re trying to get to a point where you are lifting enough weight so that when you reach the end, you are getting close to not being able to do any more reps. If you don’t have enough weight for an exercise, you can increase the tempo and intensity or do more reps.
On-Ice: 7pm-8:30pm at Morgan Firestone A
Team warm-up will start at 6:30pm. Please be ready to go at the rink by then.