My son is a 2nd year goalie, and this year he made the A2 travel team, and i couldn't have been prouder. However for some reason the head coach decided to move us up to the A1 level. Anyway after losing the first two games by a combined score of 13-0 to say i'm frustrated would be an understatement. The problem is I wouldn't care if the forwards were trying, but that is not the case, in our last game one of the forwards was coasting across the red line, while the rest of the team was allready in the other teams zone. We have way to many players that seem to want to "watch" the game, and not participate unless the puck falls on their stick. I know they're only 8 year old mites, but if you don't want to skate, go to the learn to play. Any ideas on how other coaches handle the more lazy players? Thanks

I can definitely understand your frustrations as well as your sons'. Sometimes I think we forget that they are little kids! Unfortunately, we don't have earpieces that we can use to break them out of that daze they seem to go into. No matter what the coaches or their parents say to them, kids just don't have that long of an attention span.

I think that as long as the kids are having a good time and learning how to play the game, eventually they will get that fire that will turn them into the players we think they can be.

Steve

It's simple, sit them on the bench if they're not skating. Not skating and watching the game from the ice is a no-brainer automatic have a seat situation.

Coaches will accept mistakes when the effort is there but no effort standing around cannot be tolerated for if it is, it will only continue.

ok, not a coach, but wanted to respond.

You have just described my son. More so last year than this year, but still I tell him exactly what you said "buddy, it looks like you are watching the game, not playing it.

I find it is so fast paced and learning this year all of the rules is a lot for my 7 and 8 year old to take in. Mix in that there are some kids that have been playing for years and know the rules, I think sometimes he is overwhelmed. Not an excuse per se, because I don't think it should be accepted, just a mom trying to see what is going on.

I am realizing a big difference in hockey than the other sports that he plays. In football and baseball at this age the coaches are allowed on the field to prompt the kids and point these type of things out. In hockey, the coaches are not out there during actual game play. I think that would help, but of course I am not going to change the way hockey has been played for years

I have coached in a similar situation and the bump up to a higher level can cause some players to be intimidated and even shut down. You have to address this mental issue first to make sure this is not the case.

There are a lot of things you can try. I have done everything from putting the lazy skater into a leadership position to peer pressure to ,as an absolute last resort, benching them.

Let him know that you know his potential and that you don't think he is skating to his potential. Explain to him why it is important that he skate hard all of the time and not just when the puck is on the stick.

Put the "C" or the "A" on him for a game. Tell him that he will show the other team how hard we play.

This can be a little rough on a younger player, but at the higher levels you can tell a player that you are going to drill and skate the team hard if he doesn't skate to his potential. If he continues you tell him and the team together that if he does not skate to his potential the entire team will be skated at the next practice. Skate the team hard at the next practice and have the team thank the lazy players for the not so fun extra workout. The team will let the lazy players know that they did not appreciate being skated like that at practice. I have found this to be very effective at the higher levels.

I think some kids don't know where to be. One thing we have done was have a scrimmage game with coaches on the ice. Have a coach stick by the lazy skater or have the lazy one follow the coaches lead. It almost sounds like he's not sure of were he should be at certain times.

And if that does'nt work. Pull him off and tell him if your not going to skate hard he will get less time on the ice

Aaron