With 2020 finally behind us, we wanted to thank you for subscribing and take a moment to look back at some of our favorite newsletter releases.
Our hope is this gives you the ability to go back and explore releases you may have missed or revisit those that resonated with you.
Habits
The foundation of any hockey player is how fast they are able to process the game and make quick, quality decisions. Processing Speed: Slowing the Perception of Speed.
Within Shift Length: The Art of the Undercut, we discuss the analytics behind why short shifts are so important.
Technical
Most players only have a few shot opportunities per game, so having elite shooting technique to create power and accuracy is vital to making the most of those rare opportunities. Shooting: Body Shape
How players skate has evolved dramatically over the past 20 years. What is a linear crossover? And how do we create offense using linear crossovers?
In Saucer Pass = Lazy, High-Risk Pass?, we cover the many variations player should be thinking about to create great pucks for teammates. The saucer pass is becoming less relevant and it’s a trend we think will continue in the coming years.
Tactics
Most players are upset they don’t get pucks and aren’t as involved in the offense as they should be when they don’t get their puck touches. We take a deep dive into how players can be “easy to pass to” with Puck Acquisition
‘Read and React’ is becoming outdated for top players and coaches. We explore dictating the game from the defensive side and then flip the coin and look at dictating the game from the offensive side.
Coaches looking to maximize their team’s efficiency on offense are looking at Shot Quantity vs Shot Quality. Defensemen are also looking at ways to create offense. We studied Zach Werenski’s league-leading (among defensemen) goal tally to understand how he scores goals. Hint, he understands that Point Shots Suck and seeks better ways to score from the blueline.
Moving the Goalie and passing across the royal road have become vital to increase offense. We help show what a big difference it makes.
Pushing the offense into bad spots is a key tactic to becoming a great defensive player and something that anyone can do. We steal from American football and see how players can become Jedi Knights in Team Defense: Setting the edge.
Long Term Development & Coaching
When looking at practice planning, what is more important? Clean and smooth structured practice or chaotic problem-solving? Chaos vs Structure
In Skills that transfer, skills that last, we seek to find the skills that work, no matter the level of play. This was a top hit among coaches and player alike.
Seeking to increase problem-solving in our players, we can put the offense at a disadvantage and utilize Inverted Rushes to push players further than they expected.
Dan brought in the research that he (along with Brandon Nazek) presented at the CBJ Hockey Analytics Conference, looking at The Benefits Of Playing On The Off-Wing.
Practice to Game Transfer is what every coach wants. We dive into how this happened from one of Greg’s players.
Mental
Adversity allows people to go further. We explore why golf balls have dimples and why you should embrace adversity to Be The Ball.
Big Rock, Pebbles, and Sand explores the three most important elements in development: fundamentals, fundamentals, and fundamentals. Keith Tkachuk explains how his son’s team in St Louis had multiple NHL first-round draft picks.
We ended the year looking forward. Your Theme 2021 explores how to stick to your goals and shape your path.
Did you enjoy this newsletter?
Help us spread the ideas within and share it with the people you care about