1.3 The Curriculum
Program Structure
This program consists of 16 total on-ice sessions from late March to mid June. 12 of the sessions will be practice-style clinics focused on developing specific hockey tactical skills.
The remaining 4 of the sessions will be scrimmages, focused on applying those previously-learned tactics in a real game setting.
Development Blocks
I have split the 16 total ice sessions into 4 development blocks. Each block will consist of multiple clinics and 1 scrimmage. We will have specific skills we are focused on for each block.
Each block will have a theme relating to a section of the playbook. The order of the blocks will be:
Block 1: Offense - Puck Role
Block 2: Offense - Support Role
Block 3: Defense - Puck Role
Block 4: Defense - Support Role
Within each block, we will progress through pillars and macro skills.
On-Ice Clinics & Scrimmages
Each on-ice session will have a theme. I call these “intensives” because we are doing a deep-dive on a specific area of our game.
It is important that you complete your homework before the corresponding on-ice clinic or scrimmage. This way we will all be prepared for exactly what we are working on, and we won’t have to waste any ice time introducing new concepts.
Come to the rink prepared and ready to work. Most of the drills we run will be competitive. Go hard - don’t take it easy on your teammates. This makes you better, and it also makes your teammate better.
Homework
Some of the work we do to enhance tactical development will occur off the ice at home.
Players will be assigned homework in the form of playbook lessons to complete before each on-ice session.
Players will also be assigned 1 hour of NHL game film to watch each week to get additional “mental reps” on the targeted skills.
Check the “Hockey Homework” area for each week’s assignments.
Zoom Meetings For Players
Each Monday at 7pm I will host a 30-min to 1-hour Zoom meeting for all players. During this meeting I will be breaking down either NHL game film or youth-level game film based on the skills and concepts we are working on.
This will be a great opportunity for you to see the game through the eyes of a coach. Know what coaches look for, what they prioritize and what stands out to them. Its all about being a student of the game in as many ways as possible.
During these meetings, stay focused and attentive. It is easy to get distracted from home so put yourself in a quiet location with headphones in. Keep your screens on and stay engaged throughout the entire meeting.
Program Schedule
You can view the full program schedule & curriculum on the home page of this playbook. Any updates will be published there and communicated via text messages. To get added to the text chain, email me at tonysteege@gmail.com.