A Special Team Skating Session with Graeme Townsend
Posted by Don MacAdam
We all like to do unique things for our players. Skating is one area where there are lots of products and people suggesting they can offer just such a thing. Well, we have a special guy for you and your team- Graeme Townsend.
I had the pleasure of coaching Graeme in the AHL. He was known as a team player and a heart and soul type; he was not known for his skating. Graeme has changed that.
He is the skating coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was in the same capacity with the San Jose Sharks. Graeme also played in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, and Ottawa Senators.
We had Graeme, and his chief instructor Adam Nicholas, take over a team practice a couple of weeks ago. They demonstrated unique skating techniques that Graeme has perfected and uses with his NHL players.
It was a great session. Graeme and Adam had the full attention of our Quebec major junior players as they were worked through drills teaching different game specific skating techniques.
The session had a valuable motivational component as well. Graeme explained how he personally grew as a player and how these techniques he was presenting have helped others.
Our players were left with practical drills to take away from the session that they have enthusiastically incorporated into our daily practice sessions.
We are definitely having Graeme and Adam back to work with our players. We highly endorse Graeme and encourage you to do something special for yourself, or your team, and have Graeme become a part of what you do.
Go to www.thestridedoctor.com and check out the different camps that Graeme has available. This might be just the thing for you or your team. Here is more contact information:
Graeme Townsend- graeme@thestridedoctor.com or call 978.360.4244
Joe Hearn- joe@thestridedoctor.com or call 207.577.0622
Celebrating Wins and Dealing With Losses
Posted by Don MacAdam
As the regular season winds down for most of us, there are all kinds of stories about post game reactions to winning and losing. There is some great stuff happening out there along with the occasional horror story. Here are some observations from this past season.
Celebrating Wins
Most of us feel we shouldn’t get too high after a big win. But there should be a way for all to enjoy the ‘thrill of victory’ when it happens. Players typically don’t need the coach to give them a pat on the back after a game well played. That said, there should be a way for teams to recognize and enjoy success.
What we have established with our team are two presentations to recognize achievement. After identifying the overall positives from a game, the head coach turns the team over to the player who was presented with the Game Puck from the previous win. This player then briefly describes the performance of a team mate and presents him with the game puck for tonight’s game.
Next is the Hard Hat Award that goes to the player who put in that extra effort to help secure the win. It is also presented by the payer who won the award the previous win. It is an actual hard hat with a team logo that the winner displays in his stall until the next presentation.
Team celebrations can be as simple as a three cheers together as a team. Build these positive events into the fabric and culture of your team.
Handling Losses
Just like we don’t like to get too high after a win, we should guard against getting too low after a loss. One story from this season was about a team that won 19 games in a row, lost game 20 in overtime, and the coach berated the team after the game. This is not exactly a proud moment in coaching.
A loss is an opportunity to learn and grow as a team and individually. The coach can simply put the game in context for the players following the loss. Let the players leave the rink with a positive lesson to take back to the rink next time. If you can’t find something constructive to say, then say nothing until you have figured out the proper teaching points. Wait until the next practice to address the team.
Playing and coaching should be a positive and fun experience. Be sure to use the post game as a time to accent these points.
