Will you be ready when hockey season kicks into high gear?

Eight hours of top-notch hockey skating, agility, stickhandling, shooting and hockey training are being offered over two sessions at Lawrence Academy, during Christmas Break, December 30 and January 2.

This is more than a hockey clinic. It is HOCKEY TRAINING. You improve your skills and your game through quality repetition at high tempo, using uncommon techniques and an educational training model.No doubt, hard work is the equalizer. Our clinics are difficult and meant for accomplished skaters, but they are also fun and rewarding.Good skaters from mites through midgets will be in attendance.

Don't miss out on this great opportunity for hockey training right here in Groton, MA.

Visit www.strongdynamics.com for more details on how to register. Don't wait! Just a few spots remaining.

Strong Dynamics Christmas Hockey Clinic at Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA

ELITE HOCKEY CLINICS
Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 (4 Hours)
Friday, January 2, 2009 (4 Hours)

Tuesday, December 30, 4 hour clinic: $160/skater. Smaller group, advanced program, less than 20 skaters. 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

Friday, January 2, 2009, 4 hour clinic: $120/skater maximum 25 skaters 1:00-5:30 PM

Skaters who attend both Clinics: $250


Here's a way for your to wrap confidence and skill up in a holiday paper and give it as a gift to your child. This is a gift that will keep on giving for years ahead.

Give your child 4 or 8 hours of elite hockey training featuring Chris Cowans over Christmas vacation on 12/30/08 and 01/02/09 at beautiful Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA.

You can attend session 1 on 12/30 for $160 or session 2 on 01/02 for $120, or do both sessions for $250.

Chris Cowans has already worked with many elite skaters from the Groton area. He visited us this summer in our Edge program with Richard Gallant. He coached for several weeks with the Strong Dynamics program on Sunday nights in the summer in Tyngsboro. He is head coach of one of the Middlesex Islanders AAA teams. Two of his sons play AAA hockey. He has worked with the Russian Dr. Smushkin who teaches in Tyngsboro in the summer and internationally.

Chris' style is influenced by European techniques which focus on agility and athleticism. He has an uncommon, effective teaching method. He is an educator and a trainer. He helps develop the student's capacity to learn through imitation and verbal instruction such that the student's learning does not stop at the end of the clinic. Skaters are able to remember and incorporate the knowledge as their own and practice it on their own, again and again, long after the clinic is finished.

One of our peewee skaters at our recent Thanksgiving clinic said, "I got better after the first drill."

You will notice that Chris is quiet on the ice and has a gift for helping skaters focus on learning. I think of him as the "hockey whisperer" and a figure skating instructor for hockey players. Skaters learn how to use their edges, shift quickly from inside to outside edge on one foot, jump, land with command of their edges, carry the puck with confidence while skating through turns, as well as other complicated hockey skating maneuvers.

Students who benefit most from Chris' clinics are intelligent and committed players who already have fundamental skating skills: inside and outside edges, stopping, c-cuts and crossovers. Chris will help your skater get to the next level by expanding on basic skating skills to enhance your skater's play in the game of hockey, teaching concepts such as personal space on the ice, protecting the puck, power, speed, fakes, evasive maneuvers, ambidexterity... all of the nuances of being a hockey player that we recognize as athleticism, talent, skill and hockey intelligence.

We hope to see you at one or both sessions! Don't delay. Our last clinic sold out in just a few days!

Strong Dynamics Elite Christmas Clinic Featuring Chris Cowans
Tuesday, December 30, 2008, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Friday, January 2, 2009, 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Lawrence Academy, Groton, MA 01450

Player Name:____________________________________________
Parents' Names:_________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________
City: ______________________________State:_____Zip:_______
Home Phone:________________
Cell Phone:_________________________________
Birth Date: ___________________
Hockey Level: _____________
Email address___________________________________________

Agreement & Waiver
I acknowledge there is risk of injury for my child when participating in any hockey program. I understand and accept this risk. I hereby understand and agree that Strong Dynamics Hockey (SDH), Joyce Strong, SDH staff, hired consultants, volunteers and the facilities used to conduct hockey clinics shall in no way be held responsible or liable for any injury suffered by or inflicted by the above student while attending sessions of SDH. I waive and release Joyce Strong and SDH to act for me in any emergency requiring medical attention. I will be responsible for any medical or other charges in connection with his or her attendance at SDH Clinics. I attest the applicant is in good health and is able to participate in the physical activity of this rigorous hockey program. SDH is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Medical Insurance:________________________________________
Policy #__________________________________
Signature:
(Parent/Guardian):_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Strong Dynamics Hockey
PO Box 50
Groton, MA 01450

Make Checks Payable to "Joyce Strong"

http://www.strongdynamics.com/

Contact Joyce Strong, joycestrong@charter.net

Save $5 on your Semiprivate Lesson with Coach Joyce at the PHD Center @ Skate 3 in Tyngboro through 01/11/09.

Semiprivate Hockey Skating Lessons are available by appointment with Coach Joyce Strong at the PHD Center at Skate 3, Tyngsboro (Small ice surface on 2nd floor). Everyone, youth and adults, will benefit from these highly specialized training sessions where you will correct deficiences and improve consistency in skating, stickhandling and shooting.

Sessions are offered by appointment to a maximum of 4 skaters/50 minutes, $25/skater. $5 off with this coupon through 01/11/09.

Contact Joyce Strong, joycestrong@charter.net

Offer Expires: January 11, 2009

Semiprivate Lessons, Skate 3 @ PHD Center

I'm looking for skaters who want to participate in Semiprivate Lessons in the afternoons or weekends at Skate 3 on the small ice (PHD Center).

I have groups for mites through high school ages.

I would like to take 4 skaters for per one-hour pratice.

Get in touch if you are interested in working on your edges, agility, turning, transitioning, shooting and stickhandling!

Your hockey prayers have been answered in Dracut, of all places!

Your hockey prayers have been answered!

That is, if you want to play hockey Starting November 2nd and…
· Be on the ice for 3 or more hours per week
· Practice your skills in clinics, games, stick time and public skating
· Have fun scrimmaging and playing in 3 v 3 games
· Train with professional hockey coaches who will teach you proper techniques for skating, edge control, stopping, starting, stick handling and passing
· Skate at reasonable hours, mid mornings or early evenings
· Pay an unbeatable price that averages less than $10 per session

Here is a sample menu of programs at our Dracut Ice Facility… and we will continue to Add New Hockey Programming to Meet Your Demands. Your feedback is valuable to us! Please write and let me know what kind of hockey program you want and what hours suit you best.

This sample program runs from November 2 through April 5, 2009 and includes more than 70 hours of ice time! (excludes Christmas and New Year’s Weeks). One Adult Membership costs $495 for 20 weeks. The more you skate the better the value! Youth membership costs $395. Family memberships are also available.

· Wednesday Mornings:
o Adult Stay in Shape Hockey and Skating Skills: 90 Minutes
§ Wednesdays 9:30 AM to 11 AM

· Then… on SUNDAYS….
o ADULT INTRO TO HOCKEY
§ Sundays 6:30 PM

o ADULT 3 v 3 GAMES
§ 7:40 pm or 8:40 pm

· AND IN ADDITION… ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
o PUBLIC SKATING AND STICK TIME!

Get in touch with me if you are interested in hearing more about the Membership Advantage Program from The Hockey Academy. In addition we have private and semiprivate hockey sessions available for youth and adult players in Dracut, Tyngsboro and Woburn.

We are planning free demonstrations of adult hockey training sessions at Dracut and Skate 3. Please let me know if you are interested in attending!

Thanks!

Joyce Strong, CFT, CSCS
USA Hockey Level 5 Coach
Strong Dynamics Hockey
www.iCoachHockey.com

Lowell Devils vs Worcester Sharks, Oct. 11 @ 7 PM

Opening Day is this Saturday, October 11, 2008, 7:00 PM!

Cheap Tickets are available for Lowell Devils Home opener vs. Worcester Sharks!

In addition KID ZONE opens in the lobby at 5:00 PM. This includes video games, face painting, bounce houses, balloon animals, top shot machine, action sports photography and more. KID ZONE is open from 5 PM and through the second period of the game. You can still have fun at the game and get the little home to bed at a reasonable hour.

Some hot prospects will be on the ice as well as NHL veteran and former Boston Bruin Kyle McLaren for the Worcester Sharks.Please contact JOYCE STRONG joycestrong@charter.net if you need tickets. Make checks payable to JOYCE STRONG for these last minute tickets as I have already paid the Devils for them.

One Minute Warm-up/Dynamic Stretch Before Stepping on the Ice

Often we are in a hurry before games and practices and simply don’t feel we have the time to stretch and warm up.

But we have a minute or two, even when we are running late. Take that minute and make the most of it!

Before you step on the ice… here’s a one-minute warm-up/dynamic stretch to get your muscles warm and your heart rate going:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRi61WNikeQ

Keep your feet moving!

Coach Joyce

One Goal for Hockey Skills Sessions-- 100% Attendance!

Our goal with hockey skills sessions should be more than just teaching the children. We should simultaneously be teaching our coaches to be better coaches and stiving to achieve 100% attendance by both the young players and the coaches.

Experienced skills coaches can train certain of us coaches who are particularly motivated to learn and improve our skills. We too are excellent teachers and can offer high quality skills sessions at more flexible hours.

We are wise if we broaden our thinking about how to implement hockey skills sessions so that we maximize the number of players attending with our goal being 100% attendance. At the same time we must maximize the number of coaches trained to teach the skills sessions to give us 100% flexibility as clearly if only half our players are attending skills, no matter how good the skills sessions are, we are falling far short of achieving our goal.

Wasted Coaching Resources

In a discussion with a coach about youth hockey skills I suggested that coaches attend skills sessions to observe and record drills being carried out by their colleagues. The coach, who has a tendency to try to shade everything in its best light said, "Well, this won't be the only coaching resource our coaches won't take advantage of." Was that supposed to make me feel better?!!!

Coach Kasie and Coach Ryan

Coach Ryan and Coach Kasie worked in our 2008 summer camps (The Edge and Strong Dynamics Hockey) and they are now in Germany where Ryan is playing for Rosenheim Starbulls! They send their regards to their students and look forward to seeing everyone again in the spring!

CHALLENGE! LET THEM (AND US) STRUGGLE!

By Coach Joyce Strong
September 13, 2008

In watching some practices so far this season it occurs to me that we often spend too much time working on skills that our players are already pretty good at doing while we AVOID skills that are challenging for them (and us). It is hard for us to watch them struggle. They roll their eyes at us and we have to work harder to engage them. But that is our job as coaches. And we, as coaches, won’t get better if we always do the same safe things that we are already pretty good at. We have to struggle too.

In order to learn to skate (or coach) BETTER, STRUGGLE is exactly what we all need to do. I don’t mean struggle to the point of frustration and giving up. I mean try something we’ve never done before and be bad at it and have it be okay. That is Step 1.

Get your players jumping, skating on one leg, doing BACKWARD+BACKWARD crossovers, open-hips skating, high-tempo crossovers and lots of stickhandling drills. Pressure all the edges of the skates! Stop on all edges. Do awkward agility drills to get your players off balance.

Skating and hockey starts in our heads. We have to learn to do many things at the same time. We have to challenge our minds as well as our bodies. We learn first with our brains… our eyes and all our senses take it in and then we process the information and then we get our bodies to do it. Too often I see skaters trying to do complicated drills without the advantage of FIRST WATCHING, analyzing and understanding the fine details of the maneuvers. The same with coaches. We have to first SEE and understand the purpose of all the parts of the drills.
So, please slow down first. Make your players be still and quiet while they watch and learn first in their heads… then let them try it. Once you know they have the idea correct in their heads then they can and should speed it up.

Take the time to explain the drills clearly while your players take a knee and listen and watch. It takes a little longer to explain things, but unless you take the time the drill won’t be worth doing.

And as coaches… watch other skilled coaches at work: observe, analyze and learn. Ask questions and don’t be afraid to try something new! We are also a team!

Here are the steps for trying something new… go slow first and let them speed it up when you see they have the idea correct in their heads.

Step 1
Explain it
Demonstrate it
Let them try it (they will struggle if the drill is challenging… let them struggle)

Step 2
Explain it again
Demonstrate it again
Try it again and offer small corrections and encouragement

Step 3
Repeat step 2

Concussion in Youth Hockey--- Heads Up! Don't Duck!

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSION
These signs and symptoms may indicate that a concussion has occurred.

SIGNS OBSERVED BY COACHING STAFF
Appears dazed or stunned
Is confused about assignment or position
Forgets sports plays
Is unsure of game, score, or opponent
Moves clumsily
Answers questions slowly
Loses consciousness (even briefly)
Shows behavior or personal ity changes
Can't recall events prior to hit or fall
Can't recall events after hit or fall


SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY ATHLETE
Headache or "pressure" in head
Nausea or vomiting
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or blurry vision
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
Concentration or memory problems
Confusion
Does not "feel right"


ACTION PLAN
If you suspect that a player has a concussion, you should take the following steps:
1. Remove at hlete from play.
2. Ensure ath lete is evaluated by an appropriate health care professional. Do not try to j udge the seriousness of the injury yourself.
3. Inform athlete's parents or guardians about the known or possible concussion and give them the fact sheet on concussion.
4. Allow athlete to return to play only with permission from an appropriate health care professional.

Summer Hockey Melting Away--Get Ready for the New Hockey Season!

It seems like we just started talking about summer hockey and here we are in our last week with summer melting away. I've logged over 120 hours of ice time since the end of June!

So, before the season starts in earnest consider these tips:

Air out your hockey bag! Disinfect the chin guard and inside of the helmet and rinse it thoroughly! Wash everything that can be washed! There are services now that will do this for you! Try Sports Wash in Billerica, MA!

Make sure your gear fits from last year. Kids grow overnight. Don't just guess that the skates will still fit. Try them on! Fix the loose helmet screws. Check the buckles. Buy new skate laces! When you are in a hurry you don't want to struggle with frayed skate lace ends. Try on the hockey pants. They're smaller than you remember. Is the elastic worn out on the elbow pads that have been passed down through three kids? They're cheap enough! Buy a new pair.

Get yourself some "silky" style socks, like the liners that people wear in hiking boots. They will save you from getting blisters! Don't wear heavy cotton socks that crease up and cause uncomfotable bumps in your skates.

Look for end-of-summer hockey sales. Here's one you shouldn't miss!
Skate 3 Pro Shop in Tyngsboro, MA has a big hockey sale this week… Tell them Coach Joyce from Groton Junior Hockey sent you! Here's some of what you will save!
20% off Protective Equipment
40% off Men’s Skates
20% off Boys’ Skates

Get on the ice and practice your skating. Get the rust off those blades and refind your edges! And don't forget to SHARPEN YOUR SKATES! I like Skate 3 in Tyngsboro... there are only 4 people there who sharpen skates... you want consistency and people who understand what they are doing.

Do some dryland conditioning and agility work outs.

Make new friends and have fun playing hockey this season! Start the season off right by getting together with new friends off the ice for a movie or pizza party!

Join us on Saturday, October 11 at 7 PM for the Lowell Devils Opening Game vs. Worcester Sharks. We have discount tickets available for our Groton Junior Hockey Family Night Out. Contact Joyce Strong for tickets!

Enjoy the rest of your summer and visit http://www.icoachhockey.com/ for the remaining Strong Dynamics Hockey programs at Conway Arena in Nashua, NH and Skate 3 in Tyngsboro, MA.

A big thank you to Candace Sullivan at Conway and Donna Conley at Skate 3 for making their facilities available to us for great summer fun on the ice!

Also a big thanks to Coach Richard Gallant for his enthusiasm and vision, and thanks too to Coach Chris Cowans for showing us some new tricks and getting us to believe that we can always do more than we think we can.

Keey your feet moving! See you on the ice!

Coach Joyce

We finally did it! We're friends!

While coaching two 6-year-old girls the other day I overhead them talking and laughing while they did a partner push drill the length of the ice. They were working hard, trying to keep their balance. The pushing girl was strengthening her stride pushes while the partner offered resistance to make her work harder. Sarah said to Amanda, "We finally did it! Now we're friends!"

My mission was to teach them the drill and strengthen their skating.

Their mission was to make friends.

It's important to design drills that accomplish your goals, as well as the goals of the children. Expect these goals to be very different.

Your drills can complement both goal strategies!

Ubuntu... I am, because of You

Ubuntu, Ubuntu, Ubuntu
By Martha Bebinger

Listen to story (Real Audio)


Celtics Coach Doc Rivers, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers in Boston. (AP)
BOSTON, Mass. - June 10, 2008 - Sports quiz time. Can you name the Boston Celtics' new rallying cry? It's something the team chants...not the fans.

The word is "Ubuntu." It comes from the Bantu languages of Southern Africa and means, loosely, "I am because of you."

WBUR's Martha Bebinger explores how this concept is defining this Celtics team.

TEXT OF STORY:

MARTHA BEBINGER: The men in green chant Ubuntu in the locker room before games, wear it on practice t-shirts and wrist bands and refer to it slogan when it really counts.

GAME ANNOUNCER: Certainly not the sight Celtics fans want to see, Paul Pierce in a lot of pain.

BEBINGER: While Pierce is carried off the floor in game 1 of the finals, Celtics coach Doc Rivers calls the rest of the team together.

DOC RIVERS: What did the guy from South Africa say about adversity, nothing can get you down. That's why we play 12 guys, alright. Let's beat this team.

ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU: In our country we've got something called ubuntu, ubuntu, ubuntu, ubuntu.

BEBINGER: This is Archbishop Desmond Tutu explaining the concept during a lecture to college students last year.

TUTU: In our culture, there is no such thing as a solitary individual. I want you to be all you can be, because that's the only way I can be all I can be.

BEBINGER: Coach Rivers adopted ubuntu at the beginning of this season after a colleague suggested it and Rivers read some of Tutu's work. Boston Globe Sports writer Marc Spears says Rivers needed a way to unify a team with a lot of new players and 3 superstars.

MARC SPEARS: It's given them something to become a unit, to become a family, to put all their egos aside. And I think it's that mentality that has helped them get to where they are right now.

BEBINGER: Not just the mentality, the word has become part of Celtics culture, says former Celtics forward and current commentator Cedric Maxwell.

CEDRIC MAXWELL: If they're playing cards right now, you'll hear one of them go ubuntu dog, so you know they joke about it, but you know they want to win.

BEBINGER: Maxwell, who was the MVP when the Celtics won the NBA championship in 1981, says ubuntu helps Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce focus on a common goal.

MAXWELL: None of the big 3 last year made the playoffs. So as players, sometimes they're like kids, they look for themes, they look for concepts that are going to bring them closer together.

BEBINGER: While Ubuntu may be important to the team...most fans don't know it.

BEBINGER: Have you heard of Ubuntu, the team's slogan? I have not, no, the who, no, no, no at all.

BEBINGER: Outside the Garden, before Sunday's "near miss" I get 37 confused looks before I find Ed O'Neill and Suzanne Nevins from Connecticut.

SUZANNE NEVINS AND ED O'NEILL: I hadn't heard it until he told me, told you what, the ubungo thing, that means oh, that's right. Ubuntu. That means, we're together, we're a team. That's what we're here for. It's not a one on one thing. Not like, we got the big Kobe guy. No, we got big 3, no we got the big 5, no we got the big 12.

BEBINGER: The Celtics aren't marketing ubuntu. There is at least one unofficial t-shirt on line that merges the old and the new...black and white hands clashed over a shamrock with ubuntu in bold letters. Sports Promoter Stephen Brown says it might be best to leave ubuntu alone, for now.

STEPHEN BROWN: At least for this series; if it's a private moment within the team, that shouldn't be commercialized.

BEBINGER: At least, says Brown, until the Celtics give the OK.

So for tonight, Celtics fans will stick with the well known refrain... Beat LA.

For WBUR, I'm Martha Bebinger.

Team Strong

Introducing Team Strong! Kasie and Ryan are leaving for Germany today. Last night we had a little dinner at home with the family to wish them Good Luck. Also, next week is Kasie's and Ryan's first Wedding Anniversary so we also had a champagne toast too.

Team Strong will be back together next spring after Ryan's hockey season at Rosenheim for the Starbulls.

Bantam 3 Goalie Needed in Chelmsford!

BANTAM 3 GOALIE NEEDED! If you are a Bantam 3 goalie in search of a team for the 2008-09 season, look no further than the Chelmsford Hockey Association. The Chelmsford Bantam 3 team will be playing 45 league games in the Valley Hockey League and will also be participating in two tournaments during the season. The team will practice an average of two times per week and there is also a goalie clinic available every other week during the season. A tuition credit will be provided for this position. Interested players should contact the CHA's Coaching Director via email at coaching@chelmsfordhockey.com.

The Last Lecture, Randy Pausch and his words of wisdom

Kasie brought out a book to the family room to read. "Do you think Kyle would read this?" she asked as she showed me the book. The book was The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Clarke said, "He died today." Kasie and I spoke simultaneously as we looked wide eyed at each other, "How weird is that?" We knew he was dying but something in us still didn't believe it would really happen. Today, when we were seeking words of wisdom to share with my teenaged son, even though Randy was gone, his words washed upon our shore.

Randy said in his book that he was disappointed to not have the opportunity to be around for his children when they are teenagers. He said he felt he would just be coming into his own as a father by then and really looked forward to the challenge.

And I thought of the brick wall he talked about... "The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people."

I want my son to be happy and healthy. I want it badly. No brick wall will stop me from trying.

Randy, thank you for your words of wisdom on a day we needed them. Your bottle washed up on our shore. We picked it up, read it and now toss it back for others to find.

An Enduring Legacy
Randy Pausch Inspired Millions

Randy Pausch, the professor at Carnegie Mellon University who inspired countless students in the classroom and others worldwide through his highly acclaimed last lecture, has died of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 47.

Also a Carnegie Mellon alumnus, Pausch co-founded the Entertainment Technology Center and led researchers who created Alice, a revolutionary way to teach computer programming. He was widely respected in academic circles for a unique interdisciplinary approach, bringing together artists, dramatists and designers to break new ground by working in collaboration with computer scientists.

Outside the classroom, he gained public fame for delivering what would come to be known as "The Last Lecture." On Sept. 18, 2007, only a month after doctors told him that he had three-to-six months to live following a recurrence of pancreatic cancer, he presented a lecture called "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" to a packed auditorium at Carnegie Mellon.The moving and often humorous talk recounted his efforts to achieve such childhood dreams as becoming a professional football player, experiencing zero gravity and developing Disney World attractions. In the process, he shared his insights on finding the good in other people, working hard to overcome obstacles and living generously."If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself," Pausch said. "The dreams will come to you."The video appeared on countless websites and has been viewed by millions. Appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC's Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News followed.A book version, "The Last Lecture" co-written by Jeff Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal (and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus), became a best-seller upon its release this spring."Randy had an enormous and lasting impact on Carnegie Mellon," said Carnegie Mellon President Jared L. Cohon. "A brilliant researcher and gifted teacher, he was a key member of our Human-Computer Interaction Institute and co-founder of the Entertainment Technology Center. His love of teaching, his sense of fun and his brilliance came together in the Alice project, which teaches students computer programming while enabling them to do something fun — making animated movies and games. Carnegie Mellon — and the world — are better places for having had Randy Pausch in them."Pausch was also a pioneer in the development of virtual reality, including creating the popular Building Virtual Worlds class.A memorial service at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh is being planned; details will be announced at a later date.He is survived by his wife, Jai, and three children: Chloe, Dylan and Logan. The family requests that donations on his behalf be directed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245, or to Carnegie Mellon's Randy Pausch Memorial Fund, which the university will use primarily to support continued work on the Alice project.

For more information on Randy's life and legacy, read In Memoriam: Randy Pausch, Innovative Computer Scientist at Carnegie Mellon, Launched Education Initiatives, Gained Worldwide Acclaim for Last Lecture.

Related Links: Watch Randy's Lecture on YouTube About Randy's Last Lecture Download Randy's Lecture on iTunes U Buy the Book

Girls Only Armstrong Hockey Camp Still Has Openings!

We heard from the Armstrong Hockey that there are still openings in their Girls Only Camp! If you are interested let them know you heard about the camp on my blogspot, Coach Joyce!

The Girls Only camp will be held in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Read on...

Dear Joyce,

Hope all is well. We were not sure if you had interest in our Girls Only Camp this summer so we are putting this e-mail into you to inform you that there are still a couple spots available in the camp. It runs from July 28th - August 1st from 8:30a-3:30p. There will be 3 hours of on-ice instruction each day along with multiple different off-ice activities both hockey oriented and non-hockey geared as well. It is a high energy, fun week of camp and we have coaches and counselors that love the game of hockey and love interacting with the players. If you have interest in the camp or any other questions feel free to contact me:

Brian Moretti
Armstrong Hockey
Director of Elite Camps
401-556-2011
info@bahockey.com
http://www.bahockey.com/

Practice-To-Game Ratio

Games are not as important as quality practice time and we can help educate parents, players and coaches that our focus in youth hockey should be THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF PRACTICE TIME.

Many parents new to youth sports make the mistake of overemphasizing game playing time. They have yet to consider the facts. They mean well and they are simply trying to protect their children.

This is from the USAHockey.com site in a discussion of cross-ice games: http://www.usahockey.com/Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=PL_01_18&id=5238

A study of hockey games played on the full-ice surface by George Kingston in 1976 found the following:

In a sixty-minute running time hockey game between 6-8 year old children, the average player had possession of the puck for 20.7 seconds. Top National Hockey League and international professional players were also timed and no player exceeded 85 seconds of puck possession time. In a sixty-minute children's game the actual playing time of the game was 20 minutes and 38 seconds. Taking this into consideration, the individual player is only on the ice every third or fourth shift depending on how many players are on the team, resulting in even less ice time. An average of less than 0.5 shots per game for youth players and only 1.5 shots per game for junior and professional players.

The study concluded that:

For young players in the "full-ice game model" of development, the youngest players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80 games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stick handling, passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development.

Many players never touched the puck in the game, especially in youth hockey.

And here's another reference to Kingston's study of practice-to-game ratio: http://www.thehockeyfarm.org/opportunity.php

“By looking at the skill level of an average North American player we can easily tell that Canadians and Americans do not practice the craft enough”, says Kingston. “We produce great game players, but they lack fundamental skills. The junior development in Europe is much more efficient because they have a more sound practice-to-game ratio than in North America.”

Kingston says that for players under the age of ten, you need up to five practices for one game. Over the age of ten at least 2-3 practices for every game you play. In Canada and USA youngsters often have a practice-to game ratio that is close to one-to-one.

“Our study gives support to the theory that skill is developed through repetition. So we must try to encourage our associations and youth programs to practice more and play less if we want skilled and offensively creative players in North America”, concludes Kingston.

This difference gives what Kingston describes as a better practice-to-game ratio.

Family Affair... We Almost Did It Tonight!

My dream is to play a game of hockey with my family, my whole family, on one team. We almost did it tonight, but not quite. We had three goalies show up, including my son Kyle. So Kyle opted to skate out and let the other goalies play. Kraig was did not come and Kam was there but decided not to play. He kept score instead. So our team tonight consisted of me, my daughter Kasie, her husband Ryan, my son Kip, my son Kyle, Clarke (the love of my live) and two friends. We won. Kyle scored five goals... he's got great hands and skates well. Crazy goalie.

My kids all learned to skate and play hockey before I did. I'm so glad I joined them. We are working on a name for our team. My first idea was to call us "Domestic Assault". Maybe we could skate together as a family to raise money for good a good cause.

I wonder if there are any other families out there who all skate... including the parents!

We were not the only mother-daughter team on the ice tonight. My friend, Linda, is rapidly improving and she and her daughter Brittany joined us. They were on opposite teams. I saw Linda take the puck away from her daughter (a skilled player who plays for Assabet Girls Hockey). Linda saved a goal. What a thrill! There's something really special when you step on the ice with your daughter.

Rich, my buddy from the Saturday night pickup at Nashoba Olympia in Boxboro stopped in to see how I'm doing and watch our scrimmage. What a great guy. He cares so much about people and always encouraged me to keep trying. He's knows how to make people feel good about themselves. Rich, you made my night!

So, maybe next week... before Kasie and Ryan leave for Germany, we'll get the whole family on one team.

Yes, I Coach Hockey

I am a woman in a man’s world and many perceive me as just a mother who plays hockey.

I only started playing hockey at age 46. Now at 55 I am a USA Hockey certified at level 5. There are many drivers behind my energy. For one, I am a single mother to 5 hockey players, 1 girl, 4 boys so I am try to be as involved with my kids as I can and I push myself into roles that fathers traditionally play. I never dreamed I’d have boys and I never played sports as a kid, nor did I play in high school or college. I was a cheerleader in high school! So once I decided I wanted to help coach, I got resistance and hoops to jump through. Then, before I could get too discouraged, I got breast cancer. I’m not sure which fight fueled me more. Perhaps synergistically they worked to make me incredibly determined to survive and succeed in this most unlikely avocation.

So here I am, coaching and coaching coordinator in a youth hockey program. I also run my own clinics from mites to midgets (www.icoachhockey.com). It is really quite fun to see me run a practice with 20 high school boys on the ice.

Kraig Pitching a Gem!

He Shoots, He Snores! Kam Started Skating Early

Kyle, Before He Was a Goalie!

Coach Joyce in the First Pair of Bauer Skates!

When Kasie Played for Assabet Girls Hockey!

Kip, Having Fun, Before There Were Coaches

Because He Has the...

Women excel at hockey. Women are expert skaters. Women teach. Women coach. Yet, when a man steps on the ice he is king even as he falls on his butt, trips over his own stick and faces the entire practice away from the players so he can’t be heard. If you are a female hockey coach, coaching boys in particular, good luck. You’ve got your work cut out for you. You have entered the hallowed frozen ground of a sport owned by men.

It starts out okay. You are full of enthusiasm, high hopes and great ideas, idealistic as a high school senior. You prepare your team all week at practice. You make up practice plans. You schlep the water bottles, pucks, cones, first aid kit, pinnies and game shirts. You spend your own money for hockey training aids and stickhandling balls. You coach hockey. Your kids are disciplined. They know the game better than they did when they started. They skate better. Their puck handling and passing have improved. You’ve taught them how to take and give a check.

You show up early for your first game, in your official coaching jacket in the team colors with Coach embroidered on the arm. You enter the rink office and ask for the key to the locker room. The attendant says, “You have to wait for the coach.” You explain, awkwardly, to the young woman (ironic, eh?) that you are the coach. You go to your locker room and start hanging the shirts. The timekeeper comes in and hands the time sheet to the nearest person with a short haircut. You turn and say, “Excuse me, I’m the coach.” You get a look, not an apology. Then, during the game, you are on the bench and a parent starts slapping the glass behind you. “Hey, you have to be patched to be on the bench.” The parent then interrupts the game and the referee, points at you in front of the players, parents and your colleagues and says, “She doesn’t belong there.” You pull out your USA Hockey Gold ID that indicates you are Level 5 certified, the highest certification available in USA Hockey. And you are the only one showing your identification card. No doubt some of the guys on the benches aren’t patched at all. But no other coach is asked to prove he is qualified. They don’t have to prove anything because they have… well, you get it…

So why do I take it? Well, because I can. I am strong, speak softly and carry a pink stick. Drop the puck!

Ice Hockey Coaching Coordinator

I've come a long way since that first pair of Bauer hockey skates.

This week I took the job of Coaching Coordinator in our local youth hockey organization. I am also the head coach for the peewee 2 hockey team. These jobs have traditionally gone to men. Suddenly I feel myself surrounded by enlightened people.

I hope to hear from each of you about what YOU really think we need to do more of in order to offer the best hockey program we can.

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Crossing Over to the Other Side of the Glass

It started by accident. It was just another one of my rebellious acts. My kids didn't want to go to hockey practice. They'd come so far and I'd spent so much money and suddenly they were digging their heels in. How could they skip practices after all I'd sacrificed for them? Didn't they want to be the best?

"I'll take the money and take hockey lessons myself," I said. The words slid off my tongue easily like so many other idle threats. I didn't mean to say them.

I was turning 45 and had no idea I would soon drop off a cliff into midlife crisis. It was then that I unwittingly began my metamorphosis.

I bought my first pair of Bauer hockey skates. I tucked them away in their original box for a year until I could build up the nerve to try them, but the seed was planted, the money invested and the challenge to myself and others made. There was no turning back. I was about to cross over to the other side of the glass with the players. No longer would I shiver in the stands and watch, a blurred face and muffled voice. I was about to become Coach Joyce.