By Andy Ness

When looking at skating during practice, there are many different areas with which to be concerned. Some people think of skating strictly as conditioning, while others think of skating as just going through edge drills. 

What are some ways we can better help our skaters of all ages learn and improve their skating skills? The big thing I want coaches to think about is creating the right environment for all skaters of all levels. Hopefully, this article will get you to think about how practices are run and how we can make our practices better.  

First, set a learning environment. I think all coaches should see if they can watch a high-level college practice or try to get in to see an NHL practice. I have been lucky enough to watch so many different coaches at the NHL level run their practices. It is something I really wish every coach could see. Why? Because practices are set up in a total learning environment. Practice plans are already set, every coach and player knows what to expect for the hour, and finally, every minute counts.  

Probably the most noticeable thing to me is that every coach I have seen talks and teaches in a normal tone. They talk as if they are having a conversation with someone only a few feet away. You can hear a pin drop in the rink with how intently players are listening and processing information. If you look at the photos above you can see that players are intently listening and watching as I am teaching a skill or explaining a drill. It’s undivided attention. I am not having to tell little Jimmy and Bobby to listen or watch, this is already the expectation.  

Also, most of the highest level players are always asking questions. Questions to me show they are engaged and also they want to know the “why.” It’s not always a one-sided conversation of me saying something. The overall goal is the same: Coaches want them to get better and the players want to get better.  

Second, give immediate feedback. Being able to correct immediately helps the skater to make corrections. Great coaching is just an extension of teaching. The key is to find the correct balance. We could stop a Mite every single drill with something they are doing wrong, but we also have to let them work through the skills. We also don’t want kids going through drill after drill not correcting or making any changes at all. That is the magic with great coaching and teaching, finding that balance between correcting and letting the skater work through the challenges.  

Finally, as coaches we need to have drills with a purpose, not just fillers. If you notice your defensemen getting beat a lot 1-on-1 or 2-on-2, maybe we can design skating drills that can work on our D transitioning from backward to forward. Maybe you want to work on your wings driving wide to the net. High-speed crossover corners would help with the skill. It’s about identifying the skating skills (or just puck skills) that seem to be lacking in a game and forming them into practice drills that are functional.  

At the end of practice, the goal is to get a little better each day. Small improvements each day will eventually lead to big gains at the end of the year. The key is to make sure we have the best possible environment to get better. If coaches are prepared with an age-appropriate, yet challenging, practice, and the kids are ready to work, improvement will take place. If our skaters bring an honest effort every practice, the sky is the limit. This way we are not just worried about the kids working hard. Rather, we can focus our attention on details because we know the effort is going to be there. 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.