When I go around to different associations and watch Mite practices, what do I usually see for warm-ups? Yes, you guessed it, the coach usually gets the skaters into 4 or 5 lines and they will go up and down the ice usually focusing on some sort of skating skill. Now, sometimes this is the only place we can start, but as the season starts to progress, can we think of a better way to accomplish what we want our skaters to get out of a “warm-up?”
The one thing I urge coaches to do with their skating and skill drills is to dig deep and be creative designing their drills. As easy as it might be to put the kids in four lines at one end of the rink and brainlessly run them through the same drills, I challenge you to think of different and creative ways to teach the same skill. I do believe that quality repetition is the key, but if the repetition has lost its “quality” and it’s more of going through the motions, we will not be getting the improvement that we want out of our skaters. You can change your drills and still accomplish the same skill. Changing drills will force your skaters to become more engaged and cognitive of what they are doing. It means that they will actually have to process what they are doing before they execute a drill.
Here are a few different options that will challenge your skaters and still accomplish the exact skill you wish to execute.
Drill 1: The skaters will start out of two lines with three kids starting at a time out of each line. The skaters will do a loop of full speed crossovers staying on the circle. As they come out of the circle, they will then execute the skill (edges or balance) all the way down the ice. This will get them some repetition on crossovers as well as having them do the skill with some speed rather than starting stationary.
Drill 2: Same as the first drill except this time the skaters will transition out towards the other end at the top of the circle. Again, the skaters will perform their skill with speed all the way down the ice.
Drill 3: This one will get the skaters involved and hopefully communicating with each other. Both groups will do crossovers from the top of the circle to the bottom of the circle crossing each other somewhere by the hash marks. As they come out of the bottom of the circle they will perform the set skill all the way down the ice.
Remember, being creative is key and times are different than they were 30 years ago. Like these drills, simple tweaks can be key. Finding better ways to teach is vital and is what keeps coaches and players alike evolving. Designing lesson plans are so important, trying to remember to think of different ways to teach the same skill is the key to keeping the practice fresh and fun. Good luck.
Andy Ness is the head skating and skill coach for the Minnesota Wild. He has also been an assistant skating instructor for the New Jersey Devils, the University of Minnesota men’s and women’s hockey teams and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Hockey Team.
