Last night before our weekly training session, I was watching a Junior Coach lead a training session with his team, and was gobsmacked at what I saw. In simple terms the kids were doing nothing more than busy work, and the training itself seemed to have know objective to it what so ever. This group had a 1 hour training session, and I reckon that in total they would have actually trained a grand total of 20 minutes in that hour.
Now while the Coach is not solely responsible for the intensity of training, they are responsible for setting the objective and direction of the training session, they are responsible to making sure that training is engaging and has a focus to it. What was very clear about this particular training last night is that the Coach has failed to plan, so the training is set-up to fail before its even got out of the gate, and has such he is letting the players in the team he is coaching down. These players in this particular team cant be enjoying coming to training each week, because the training session just ain't engaging.
So what should a coach be doing before each training session-
1. The Coach should know the objective/s for training what they want the players to get out of the session.
2. The Coach should have planned out the session from start to finish, and also planned back-up activities in case the one's they have planned are not working.
Like I said before its not solely the responsibility of the Coach to bring the intensity to training, but it is the sole responsibility of the coach to bring the training objective/s and focus, and a coach that fails to plan will ultimately fail themselves, and the players they are coaching.
Wednesday, 3 May 2017
Friday, 28 April 2017
Couple of simple passing drills for training
Here are a couple of very simple passing drills that you can use at training, again the focus here should be keeping your stick on the ball and ball control, as well as getting that shot away early. In addition there is an element here about widening the goal with both your post players in position ready to get deflections-
They are both very simple drills but work a treat, give them a go, let us know how you get on with them in your training.
They are both very simple drills but work a treat, give them a go, let us know how you get on with them in your training.
Thursday, 27 April 2017
18 Years what a journey so far
Well this Sunday, when I step out to Coach the Capel Ladies South West League hockey game, it will mark exactly 18 years to the day since I stepped out to coach my first competitive game of hockey. Its hard to believe it has been 18 years, how time has gone by so fast, in that time I have had the great honour of coaching some brilliantly talented and gifted hockey players, along with some fantastic teams. So I thought on the eve of 18 year anniversary on Sunday, I would share with the world the following-
- My top ten best players I have coached over the last 18 years
- My best ever men's/boys team of the last 18 years
- My best ever women's/girls team of the last 18 years.
My Top Ten of best players over my 18 years
1. Reece Laycock (Swanleigh) (WA)
2. Emily Matison (Newman) (WA)
3. Laura Murray (Newman) (WA)
4. Brooke Anderson (South East Sharks) (VIC)
5. Paige Hardy (South East Sharks) (VIC)
6. Tabby Hodges (South East Sharks) (VIC)
7. Alice Arnold (South East Sharks) (VIC)
8. Bella Pettit (Queenwood) (NSW)
9. Jess Brimble (Manly) (NSW)
10. Kim Dunkin (Manly) (NSW)
My Best Ever Men's/Boys Team of my 18 years
Forwards
Left Wing- Aaron Bennett (Swanleigh, WA)
Centre Forward- Brad Harrop (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Wing- Braden Bennett (Swanleigh, WA)
Inners
Left Inner- Robbie Elsom (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Right Inner- Tom Higgins (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Halves
Left Half- Ben Gorman (Swanleigh, WA)
Centre Half- Reece Laycock (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Half- Tom Mitchell (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Backs
Left Back- Rian Duncan (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Back- Cale Beard (Swanleigh, WA)
Goalie- Mitchell Chambers (Swanleigh, WA)
Subs/Rotation
1. Sam Looke (Swanleigh, WA)
2. Wayne Brooks (Swanleigh, WA)
3. Tony Plain (Swanleigh, WA)
My Best ever Women's/Girls Team of my 18 years
Forwards
Left Wing- Tiffany Crouch (Manly, NSW)
Centre Forward- Kim Dunkin (Manly, NSW)
Right Wing- Nat Johnson (ACT, State Team)
Inners
Left Inner- Kass Scarlett (Manly, NSW)
Right Inner- Emily Matison (Newman, WA)
Halves
Left Half- Jess Brimble (Manly, NSW)
Centre Half- Krista Morley (Manly, NSW)
Right Half- Brooke Anderson (South East Sharks, VIC)
Backs
Left Back- Paige Hardy (South East Sharks, VIC)
Right Back- Tabby Hodges (South East Sharks, VIC)
Goalie- Alice Arrnold (South East Sharks, VIC)
Subs/Rotation
1. Laura Murray (Newman, WA)
2. Monika Young (South East Sharks, VIC)
3. Charley Madigan (South East Sharks, VIC)
So there we are, these have been hard to pick, there are some many I could have included that I have left out.
Like I say its been a fantastic 18 year journey so far, but it know where near over there is so much more to achieve, so watch this space, and lets bring on the next 18 years.
- My top ten best players I have coached over the last 18 years
- My best ever men's/boys team of the last 18 years
- My best ever women's/girls team of the last 18 years.
My Top Ten of best players over my 18 years
1. Reece Laycock (Swanleigh) (WA)
2. Emily Matison (Newman) (WA)
3. Laura Murray (Newman) (WA)
4. Brooke Anderson (South East Sharks) (VIC)
5. Paige Hardy (South East Sharks) (VIC)
6. Tabby Hodges (South East Sharks) (VIC)
7. Alice Arnold (South East Sharks) (VIC)
8. Bella Pettit (Queenwood) (NSW)
9. Jess Brimble (Manly) (NSW)
10. Kim Dunkin (Manly) (NSW)
My Best Ever Men's/Boys Team of my 18 years
Forwards
Left Wing- Aaron Bennett (Swanleigh, WA)
Centre Forward- Brad Harrop (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Wing- Braden Bennett (Swanleigh, WA)
Inners
Left Inner- Robbie Elsom (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Right Inner- Tom Higgins (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Halves
Left Half- Ben Gorman (Swanleigh, WA)
Centre Half- Reece Laycock (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Half- Tom Mitchell (Stirling Rangers, WA)
Backs
Left Back- Rian Duncan (Swanleigh, WA)
Right Back- Cale Beard (Swanleigh, WA)
Goalie- Mitchell Chambers (Swanleigh, WA)
Subs/Rotation
1. Sam Looke (Swanleigh, WA)
2. Wayne Brooks (Swanleigh, WA)
3. Tony Plain (Swanleigh, WA)
My Best ever Women's/Girls Team of my 18 years
Forwards
Left Wing- Tiffany Crouch (Manly, NSW)
Centre Forward- Kim Dunkin (Manly, NSW)
Right Wing- Nat Johnson (ACT, State Team)
Inners
Left Inner- Kass Scarlett (Manly, NSW)
Right Inner- Emily Matison (Newman, WA)
Halves
Left Half- Jess Brimble (Manly, NSW)
Centre Half- Krista Morley (Manly, NSW)
Right Half- Brooke Anderson (South East Sharks, VIC)
Backs
Left Back- Paige Hardy (South East Sharks, VIC)
Right Back- Tabby Hodges (South East Sharks, VIC)
Goalie- Alice Arrnold (South East Sharks, VIC)
Subs/Rotation
1. Laura Murray (Newman, WA)
2. Monika Young (South East Sharks, VIC)
3. Charley Madigan (South East Sharks, VIC)
So there we are, these have been hard to pick, there are some many I could have included that I have left out.
Like I say its been a fantastic 18 year journey so far, but it know where near over there is so much more to achieve, so watch this space, and lets bring on the next 18 years.
Saturday, 22 April 2017
Breaking the game down into manageable parts.
For a long time now, I have been using a system I like to call the Two Traffic light system to break the game down during each half into manageable parts, and then talk about winning the majority of those parts or periods, thus making sure we win the game. This what I am talking about-
So how it works well very simple-
Red time (First 15 minutes of each half): That is when as a team we need to be running at our absolute best and putting in maximum effort, and being alert and focussed at all times, and make sure we are doing our basics well and following our process. The first 15 minutes of each half are some of the most dangerous times in hockey and this is why its Red Time where we must be doing our basics well and making every post a winner. This is not a period that a team can afford to lose, they must come out with either a draw or a win on the score board and in the statistics.
Amber Time (Middle 15 minutes of each half): This is where the game has settled down into a flow and both teams have settled down and the nerves are or have gone. There still needs to be a strong effort to make sure the basics are done well and the processes are followed. This is the period of the game where you perhaps can afford to come out with a draw in the statistics and a draw on the score-board without it hurting you terrible.
Red (Last 5 minutes of each half): Once again this is maximum danger time, I have seen it far to often where a team is scored on during this period because they relax and take the foot of the peddle. So once again I demand that we are alert, attacking hard and running hard at all times.
Also in hockey when either you score a goal or the opposition scores a goal, I as coach will call Red-time again why, because this is yet again danger time, if you scored the goal players have got this happy knack of relaxing taking the foot of the peddle, and bang opposition gets a fast break and score. So as soon as this happens its straight back doing well and at a urgent pass. Likewise if they score on you you should be exploiting that relax nature they are in and trying to break them open quickly.
So this is the devise I have developed and use, I really do welcome comment on it and would like to know if other coaches out there are using similar ideas or if they think there are ways to improve this. Please comment.
Red time (First 15 minutes of each half): That is when as a team we need to be running at our absolute best and putting in maximum effort, and being alert and focussed at all times, and make sure we are doing our basics well and following our process. The first 15 minutes of each half are some of the most dangerous times in hockey and this is why its Red Time where we must be doing our basics well and making every post a winner. This is not a period that a team can afford to lose, they must come out with either a draw or a win on the score board and in the statistics.
Amber Time (Middle 15 minutes of each half): This is where the game has settled down into a flow and both teams have settled down and the nerves are or have gone. There still needs to be a strong effort to make sure the basics are done well and the processes are followed. This is the period of the game where you perhaps can afford to come out with a draw in the statistics and a draw on the score-board without it hurting you terrible.
Red (Last 5 minutes of each half): Once again this is maximum danger time, I have seen it far to often where a team is scored on during this period because they relax and take the foot of the peddle. So once again I demand that we are alert, attacking hard and running hard at all times.
Also in hockey when either you score a goal or the opposition scores a goal, I as coach will call Red-time again why, because this is yet again danger time, if you scored the goal players have got this happy knack of relaxing taking the foot of the peddle, and bang opposition gets a fast break and score. So as soon as this happens its straight back doing well and at a urgent pass. Likewise if they score on you you should be exploiting that relax nature they are in and trying to break them open quickly.
So this is the devise I have developed and use, I really do welcome comment on it and would like to know if other coaches out there are using similar ideas or if they think there are ways to improve this. Please comment.
Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Innovation at Hockey Training
Today I had the opportunity to watch the Australian Men's hockey team go through training, and I once again realise how important innovation at hockey training is, that Coaches need to stop wanting to be the centre of attention, and work with there fellow coaches and their players to come up with new innovations at training, which keep training interesting and challenging, while still keep the basic principles of what we need to develop at training in place.
So what sort of innovations am I talking about-
- Shifting training to the grass from time to time, this will help to improve the players core skills, and also help them to further develop their ability to read the play and the game.
- Bringing in other similar sports, with similar skills, such as Netball, AFL, soccer to encourage your players to think outside the square.
- Drills that are not simply busy work, but have a clear purpose and are as much as possible about Game scenario's and tougher than anything that you will likely encounter in a game.
- allowing players to take on a run different aspects of training so you as the coach can step back and watch and observe, as well as be able to pull players aside and work on specific skill areas.
So innovation is crucial to training in my book as a coach. I welcome other thoughts and comments-
How do you innovate with your training?
Let us know.
So what sort of innovations am I talking about-
- Shifting training to the grass from time to time, this will help to improve the players core skills, and also help them to further develop their ability to read the play and the game.
- Bringing in other similar sports, with similar skills, such as Netball, AFL, soccer to encourage your players to think outside the square.
- Drills that are not simply busy work, but have a clear purpose and are as much as possible about Game scenario's and tougher than anything that you will likely encounter in a game.
- allowing players to take on a run different aspects of training so you as the coach can step back and watch and observe, as well as be able to pull players aside and work on specific skill areas.
So innovation is crucial to training in my book as a coach. I welcome other thoughts and comments-
How do you innovate with your training?
Let us know.
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Couple of Drills for training & A Decision Making Tree
Hi Everyone here are a couple of more drills for everyone to try at training-
DRILL 1
This is a Game Scenario Drill, designed to improve focus under pressure, and help your playing to work on there scanning both when they are attacking and when they are defending. The game's start with two small games of keep it off (any number of players) and these games are two go for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes the team that has the ball in both games becomes the attacking team and team that doesn't have the ball then works back to defend. Lets us know what you think?
DRILL 2
This drill is yet another flow through type, but the focus on here is leading, re-leading and switching the play at the back as well as looking to widen the goal in attack.
I have been working on this for a while, its a Decision Making Tree, which lays out the keys points for each individual player of what they want to be doing when-
- They have the ball
- There opponent has the ball
It lays out 5 key points, and the idea of this is to try and keep the message as straightforward as possible for individual players so they understand what they need to focus on and what they can control.
Again I welcome comment on each, and if you use the drills at your training how did they go.
DRILL 1
This is a Game Scenario Drill, designed to improve focus under pressure, and help your playing to work on there scanning both when they are attacking and when they are defending. The game's start with two small games of keep it off (any number of players) and these games are two go for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes the team that has the ball in both games becomes the attacking team and team that doesn't have the ball then works back to defend. Lets us know what you think?
DRILL 2
This drill is yet another flow through type, but the focus on here is leading, re-leading and switching the play at the back as well as looking to widen the goal in attack.
I have been working on this for a while, its a Decision Making Tree, which lays out the keys points for each individual player of what they want to be doing when-
- They have the ball
- There opponent has the ball
It lays out 5 key points, and the idea of this is to try and keep the message as straightforward as possible for individual players so they understand what they need to focus on and what they can control.
Again I welcome comment on each, and if you use the drills at your training how did they go.
Sunday, 16 April 2017
My Top 10 Great Australia Hockey Coaches of all time & 5 Up and coming Coaches to watch for
Ok here we go, this is my top 10 great Australian Hockey Coaches of all time and I will also name the top five up and coming coaches-
1. Ric Charlesworth
There is simple know doubt in my book, who the number one Australia Hockey Coach of all time must be and that is the Great one Dr Ric Charlesworth, he is the best there has ever been in our game, and ever will be. Two Olympic Golds with the Australia Hockeryoos, along with Four World Cups, two with the Men and Two with the Women, and countless Champions Trophies and other international wins. I guess the one blot if you call that to the copy book is not getting the Olympic Gold with the Men. But in my book he is number 1 and always will be.
2. Barry Dancer
Barry Dancer without question is number 2 for me, he is the Coach who did what no one before or after him has been able to do, he lead the Australia Kookaburras to Olympic Gold, therefore he is number 2 for me.
3. Alyson Annan
So I here some saying why is the Dutch National Team Coach in an Australian top ten of all time at number three, well its simple, I believe that right now Alyson is the Greatest Australian Coach in the game, and its a shame that she is not here in Australian doing what she does best.
4. Frank Murray
For me number four is the great Frank Murray. Frank led both the Kookaburras to great success at international level, and then the hockeyroos with distinction later on.
5. Richard Aggis
I don't photo of Richard, but there is no doubt he was one of the most significant figures in the life of the Australian Men's Hockey team leading them to there first World Cup success in 1986.
6. Brian Glencross
Again I dont have a photo of Brian, but he is without question perhaps the second most significant Coach of the Australian Women's Hockey Team behind Ric Charlesworth, leading the Women to there first Olympic Gold in 1988 at the Seol Olympics.
7. Merv Adams
Again I apologise I dont have a photo of the great Merv Adams, but it was Merv who taught Australia how to win at international level and beat the sub-continent teams that is why in my book he comes in at 7 in my top ten. He also led Australia to the silver in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
8. Katrina Powell
So while Katrina Powell or Triny as she is often know in hockey circles, has yet to be a Head Coach at international level, I believe she makes the top ten of all time, because like Alyson she is one of the best Australia Coaches around right now and up there with the greats.
9. Paul Guidoin
The current Australian Women's Coach, and former Assistant to the Kookaburras makes it into my top ten of all time, because I believe he will be the one responsible for leading the Australian Hockeyroo's back to Olympic glory in 2020, and will be the most significant figure in Australian hockey over the next four years.
10. Mark Hager
Mark is the last one into my top ten of all time, and while he hasn't Coached Australia, what he has done with New Zealand, means in my book he makes to top 10 Australia Coaches of all time without question.
So there is my top ten, I am sure others will have other views and there are many that I left out, notable mentions you could have included are people like, Don Smart, Jim Irvine, Don McWatters to name just a few.
Now the top 5 up and coming coaches in Australian in my opinion well these are-
1. Ryan Tout (Victoria)- Ryan is in my view the next big thing in Australian hockey, and I believe it will only be a matter of time before he will be part of the National set-up in some form.
2. Warren Birmingham (NSW)- Warren has been around in Australian hockey for a while as a player and Coach but I believe that he is one of the next top coaches out there within the Australian ranks.
3. Rob Hammond (WA)- Rob did a fantastic job recently with the WA Diamonds and now finds himself as an Assistant in the Australian set-up and will I believe go on to be a great hockey coach.
4. Jamie Dwyer (Qld)- now for allot of people the jury might be out on Jamie, but its not for me, Jamie is a true thinker as a Coach and will be one of the great Coaches of the game to go with his status all ready as Australia's greatest hockey player.
5. Madonna Blyth (Qld)- now Madonna has only just retired from the game at international and just started coaching in Perth with Hale, but I believe that she makes my top 5 in 5th as one of the next generation of Coaches on the way through.
Once again there are perhaps other notable mentions here such as Travis Brooks, Jay Stacey, Kate Starre from Victoria, Megan Rivers from NSW, Jess Bingley from ACT to name a few.
In the end its hard you could choose any number in these lists and there would still be someone missed or disagreement on something. Anyway this is my list and I welcome comments on it what do you think?
1. Ric Charlesworth
There is simple know doubt in my book, who the number one Australia Hockey Coach of all time must be and that is the Great one Dr Ric Charlesworth, he is the best there has ever been in our game, and ever will be. Two Olympic Golds with the Australia Hockeryoos, along with Four World Cups, two with the Men and Two with the Women, and countless Champions Trophies and other international wins. I guess the one blot if you call that to the copy book is not getting the Olympic Gold with the Men. But in my book he is number 1 and always will be.
2. Barry Dancer
Barry Dancer without question is number 2 for me, he is the Coach who did what no one before or after him has been able to do, he lead the Australia Kookaburras to Olympic Gold, therefore he is number 2 for me.
3. Alyson Annan
So I here some saying why is the Dutch National Team Coach in an Australian top ten of all time at number three, well its simple, I believe that right now Alyson is the Greatest Australian Coach in the game, and its a shame that she is not here in Australian doing what she does best.
4. Frank Murray
For me number four is the great Frank Murray. Frank led both the Kookaburras to great success at international level, and then the hockeyroos with distinction later on.
5. Richard Aggis
I don't photo of Richard, but there is no doubt he was one of the most significant figures in the life of the Australian Men's Hockey team leading them to there first World Cup success in 1986.
6. Brian Glencross
Again I dont have a photo of Brian, but he is without question perhaps the second most significant Coach of the Australian Women's Hockey Team behind Ric Charlesworth, leading the Women to there first Olympic Gold in 1988 at the Seol Olympics.
7. Merv Adams
Again I apologise I dont have a photo of the great Merv Adams, but it was Merv who taught Australia how to win at international level and beat the sub-continent teams that is why in my book he comes in at 7 in my top ten. He also led Australia to the silver in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
8. Katrina Powell
So while Katrina Powell or Triny as she is often know in hockey circles, has yet to be a Head Coach at international level, I believe she makes the top ten of all time, because like Alyson she is one of the best Australia Coaches around right now and up there with the greats.
9. Paul Guidoin
The current Australian Women's Coach, and former Assistant to the Kookaburras makes it into my top ten of all time, because I believe he will be the one responsible for leading the Australian Hockeyroo's back to Olympic glory in 2020, and will be the most significant figure in Australian hockey over the next four years.
10. Mark Hager
Mark is the last one into my top ten of all time, and while he hasn't Coached Australia, what he has done with New Zealand, means in my book he makes to top 10 Australia Coaches of all time without question.
So there is my top ten, I am sure others will have other views and there are many that I left out, notable mentions you could have included are people like, Don Smart, Jim Irvine, Don McWatters to name just a few.
Now the top 5 up and coming coaches in Australian in my opinion well these are-
1. Ryan Tout (Victoria)- Ryan is in my view the next big thing in Australian hockey, and I believe it will only be a matter of time before he will be part of the National set-up in some form.
2. Warren Birmingham (NSW)- Warren has been around in Australian hockey for a while as a player and Coach but I believe that he is one of the next top coaches out there within the Australian ranks.
3. Rob Hammond (WA)- Rob did a fantastic job recently with the WA Diamonds and now finds himself as an Assistant in the Australian set-up and will I believe go on to be a great hockey coach.
4. Jamie Dwyer (Qld)- now for allot of people the jury might be out on Jamie, but its not for me, Jamie is a true thinker as a Coach and will be one of the great Coaches of the game to go with his status all ready as Australia's greatest hockey player.
5. Madonna Blyth (Qld)- now Madonna has only just retired from the game at international and just started coaching in Perth with Hale, but I believe that she makes my top 5 in 5th as one of the next generation of Coaches on the way through.
Once again there are perhaps other notable mentions here such as Travis Brooks, Jay Stacey, Kate Starre from Victoria, Megan Rivers from NSW, Jess Bingley from ACT to name a few.
In the end its hard you could choose any number in these lists and there would still be someone missed or disagreement on something. Anyway this is my list and I welcome comments on it what do you think?
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