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'The Ultimate Newsletter for Minor Hockey'
2010 ISSUE 18
Click here for our archive of past "Well Said" Newsletters
WELCOME to WELL SAID! - 'The Ultimate
Newsletter for Minor Hockey'. This Newsletter, along with The Hockey
Source comprehensive website, radio show, exclusive training and product line is part of our vision to help you make sound decisions, optimize performance and
most of all, have more fun! Whether you
are a Player, Coach, Manager, Official, Trainer, Scout, Agent, Parent or Fan,
you are sure to find valuable information on hockey topics.
Will We Ever Get Better?
The Hockey Source has been in existence for over seven years. And through that time, there have been more than glimpses of headway being made on a number of fronts leading to improvement in the game and the atmosphere that surrounds it. A prime example is the increased attention being given to the matter of Concussions and Spinal Cord Injuries with the resulting increase in scrutiny and policing of hits to the head. Unfortunately, there are times when it seems that every positive event is offset by something undesirable, such as the use of racial slurs between players with minimal penalty application, or the ejection of a parent who has crossed the behavioural line.
The following excerpt is taken from correspondence received from a Hockey Source follower. This describes a game that could take place anywhere. The reaction of the writer is heightened by the fact that it has been years since this person has attended a game. It seems that the writer was surprised that things had not evolved positively since his last visit to an arena.
- "The game reminded me of why I was so glad my son decided to quit when he was in his early teens. Although it is only house league level, the Association allows contact and (as usual) there are players, coaches and parents who think their 'Mickey Mouse' house league game is the 7th game of the Stanley Cup. Team A is comprised of a roster of rather small players with very limited skills. The team they were playing (Team B) had 3 or 4 players who were well beyond the skill of house league and overall, they were a far superior team. The two largest players on Team B played as a defense pairing, and quickly scored several goals, as they were able to virtually skate through the entire opposing squad and blast the puck past a terrified little guy in Team A’s net. You would think that when the score reached 5 - 0 in the first period that the coach of Team B would have his best players stay back and just pass to team mates. On the contrary the “meat-head” double shifted the pair, and tried to run up the score. In the third period both of these players started to throw their weight around, and I watched the following:
- Two boarding hits from directly behind;
- One obvious elbow to the neck of a player without the puck;
- One two-handed slash across the ankles of a player without the puck;
- Two charging hits on players standing about 15 feet in front of the net without the puck;
- One cross-check on a player trying to retrieve a loose puck in the corner.
- All of the infractions were made by the aforementioned defense pair on Team B and the two young fellows in “stripes: didn't call a penalty on anybody the whole game. The only reaction to any of the illegal hits was a shrill encouragement from the mother of one of the pair telling him to "get him, get him, get him", as her budding goon” drilled some 5 foot, 90 lb. lad into the boards. Her little star will no doubt grow up to be a valued member of society!"
Hockey is the greatest sport in the world. It provides the basis for individual and team development like no other form of competitive involvement. It teaches the value of self-image and the virtues of team participation. It encourages and develops the strengths and attributes of individual and personal development, while also proving that major and lasting accomplishments come through arduous team work and comradeship. But if not properly managed and supervised, the results can be as negative an experience as described in the previous information.
Yes, we will get better. We have already done so in many ways. But clearly, we have some way to go to rid our sport of those experiences that bring or produce nothing of value. The Hockey Source thanks the reader for the input. Hopefully, by continuing to talk and write about such matters, enough people will recognize such activities as wrong and choose to raise the matters for correction.
Circumstance Rules!
The greatest stumbling block to achieving anything of importance in your life is circumstances. We let circumstances get us off the hook when we should be giving it everything we've got. More dreams are shattered and goals lost because of circumstances than any other single factor.
How often have you caught yourself saying, "I would like to do or have this but I can't because...?" Whatever follows "because" is the circumstance. Successful people use circumstances to catapult them on toward their goal, while the masses use them as roadblocks. A circumstance may cause a detour in your life but you should never permit it to stop you.
George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying, "People are always blaming circumstance for what they are. I do not believe in circumstance. The
people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstance they want and if they can't find them they make them."
Napoleon said, "Circumstances hell, I make them."
The next time you hear someone say they would like to vacation in Paris, or purchase a particular automobile but they can't because they have no money. Tell them they don't need any money, your reward will probably be a blank stare followed with, "What do you mean I don't need any money?"
Explain they don't need the money until they make a decision to go to Paris or purchase the car. When the decision is made, they will figure out a way to get the amount needed. They always do.
The circumstance they are using is one of the most common: a lack of money. The real cause of their problem is lack of decision. You always attract what you need when you decide it must be done. Try this yourself today. You know the task you have been putting off "because..." Make a decision, forget the circumstance or adopt Shaw's theory, but get it done!
...Unknown Author
Our Gifts to You!
Why on earth would you want to know about The Hockey Source Live weekly radio show being a huge success…unless you could get something out of it?
Why would you care about the latest sponsor – Hockey Players Network – getting involved with us…unless you knew you could get something?
Why would you want to hear about Resources for Team Managers having its own website at www.successfulteammanager.com...unless there was something you could get from it?
You are probably thinking:
“I don’t have time to read about The Hockey Source.”
“I don’t have the capacity to add more things to my daily schedule.”
“I don’t care about what a manager and coach need to administer a team.”
Well, thank goodness! Because unless you can get something, this section is just words strung together taking up space.
So, here is what you GET!
- Each Thursday at 3:00P EDT /12N Pacific, you get to listen LIVE to how to deal with the hot topics in youth hockey on XM Channel 204 or Sirius Channel 208 – and call in or email us your questions/comments. AND listen to a recorded show at www.thehockeysource.tv in case you missed the live version.
- FREE membership at www.hockeyplayersnetwork.com for access to some great on-line social media tools and interesting facts.
- Tips, guidance and support for Team Managers and Coaches re: administering a sport team with sources of information… and some for Free!
The joy of providing valuable information to you and people like you, in order for sound decisions to be made, and more fun had by those involved, is lived each day, month and year at The Hockey Source. It is rewarding to us when we get comments from your fellow hockey enthusiasts saying…
“(The Hockey Source Live) BEST 1 - 2 Punch right down the middle. Thanks guys - the show is fantastic and your pool of knowledge deep!”
“I love your web site (www.thehockeysource.tv)!!!! This is such a fantastic resource with a wealth of information. Every time I get on your site I learn something new. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.”
“It is so nice to hear from you and as always, we look forward to your next newsletter. It means so much that you continually respond to your readers!”
And finally, what you continue to get from The Hockey Source is the highest level of accurate information brought to you by a Team of experienced and dedicated individuals who cover all aspects of the sport and of matters of life that can affect the sport. The most recent additions to this Team of 20 Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) are two ladies who are leaders in their respective fields. Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS, the Director and Founder of Total Female Hockey joins The Hockey Source as our Female Hockey expert and Janice Ray, BSc, CK, CVP, CCRC, the Director and Founder of ErgonoWorks Unlimited will bring her expertise as an Ergonomic Specialist to situations faced by players, both on and off the ice.
Contact is Complex!
The purpose of a well applied and appropriately timed body check in hockey is to separate the player from the puck and gain possession, is it not? They why is it that such a move takes a wind up of 10 or more feet by the checking player? Why is it that the checking player deems it necessary to leave his feet in order to apply this puck separation action? Why is it that the checking player does not have his stick on the ice with his eyes riveted on the puck, as opposed to the puck carrier’s head? Does being air borne with one’s stick off the ice improve the chances of puck separation and repossession? For this author and a multitude of readers, this simply does not compute.
Body checking is supposed to be the application of one’s body and weight against the body of an opposing player (who has the puck, by the way) in a forceful, but safe fashion with the sole intent of interrupting his successful possession of the puck, so as to gain back possession for one’s own team. But somewhere along the way, someone must have started a new set of instructions for this maneuver. More and more, what is referred to as body checking seems more like an attempt to reduce the number of players to four a side before one even gets to overtime. Puck possession seems to be the least point of focus. More and more, elimination of the opponent and application of pain appear to be the objective of many players involved in “throwing a check”.
Programs such as “Play It Cool” believe that it is time to train players how to both, deliver a proper body check, as well as how to properly receive one. Is this enough? Or should there be, as some folks believe, a total ban on body checking in hockey? The reality is that the latter is an issue that will take time to resolve. Meanwhile, is it not paramount that proper training is made mandatory so as to increase the safety factor for players?
The next question is who will do the training and who is being trained? Is a group of instructors going to train every team that exists in North America? Will there be a new growth in Hockey Schools that specialize in a “body checking” curriculum? Or will the onus of instruction be granted to Coaches after they have been trained accordingly by somebody? How long is that training? Will they be tested? Are they taught how to do a proper body check or taught how to teach a proper body check. Can teaching be done without the ability to do?
And if “training the Coach” is the method used, should we now feel relaxed and safe? Have we confidence that every Coach comes through training equipped and willing to manage this responsibility appropriately, and with positive outcomes? Would this be the same Coaches and training forum that still results in unapproved and untaught behaviours such as yelling at players, yelling profanities at officials, throwing water bottles on the ice, asking a player to fake injury so as to gain a man advantage, telling a player to commit a “payback” on an opponent?
Other questions/positions that arise in this discussion are as follows:
- Should contact be allowed with clearly defined infractions?
- Should all body contact in hockey be eliminated for younger age groups?
- If so, what is a viable age for players to start to learn about body checking?
- How does allowing or disallowing contact change the game, and is that change positive or negative? And for who?
- Some prominent folks in the hockey world would argue that the earlier you start to teach it, the better players become at doing it right. How does this explain the significant increase in the number of “above shoulder shots” recorded in Junior and Pro Hockey in the past few seasons? Why has the frequency grown to the point that these leagues have had to take significant actions against the offenders?
- Is there any difference in the significance of the action related to whether it is done in open ice or along the boards?
- Again, knowledgeable hockey minds continue to espouse that it is the responsibility of each and every player to be aware by “keeping his head up” and protecting himself along the boards.
- Since ending careers is supposedly not an acceptable objective of any one player against another, then why is there not more support for the idea of players recognizing a player in a vulnerable position and taking evasive action, rather than “taking him out”? Why would any player, seeing that his opponent on the boards has just turned into the boards, decide that it was a good idea to hit him with a maximum force? Surely that represents more than intent to “free the puck”?
- And is it right or fair to leave all of the discretion of the call to the referee? If hockey is about teaching and learning positive skills and fair competition, then why not ensure that the harmful deed matches the outcome for the injured player? This would mean that the penalized player gets a minimum of two minutes, but the removal of that player from play continues and matches the period of return for the injured player, whether it is 5 minutes, next period or 2 months.
- Some “Hockey experts” would say that the latter would not be fair to the penalized player because the injured player put himself in a vulnerable position. The opposing view would be that the injured player “paid for his stupidity”, and so should the player who saw the position of vulnerability of another as an opportunity to gain advantage.
What is probably most concerning is that a good number of readers of this article will react by saying that the questions posed are related to the upper levels of the game. The author would suggest that those with that view need to spend a bit more time in arenas where minor hockey is being played, and listen to these various points of discussion being aired at events involving all levels of minor hockey.
Perhaps it is not checking that is the concern, but rather the “physicality” of the contact that creates the passion surrounding this topic. Specifically, how hard the hit is and where it occurs relative to both the ice surface and the player are the two ingredients that feed this controversial subject.
What we do know is that the younger players emulate the older ones. If the Pros cannot get it right, then perhaps the only solution is to train and raise the future “pros” properly. But let’s be sure we do it right. We may only get one chance.
The Hockey Source, as always is interested in your comments and ideas. Send us your thoughts to info@thehockeysource.tv. We would be pleased to hear from you!
Ergo What?
Ergonomics…Get it…E...R...G...O...N...O...M...I...C...S…That is Ergonomics!
Ergonomics comes from the Greek words “ergon” meaning work and “nomos” meaning law. So literally, ergonomics is the law of work. In more modern terms it is the science of force over time that produces movement. Bottom line is, if body movement is not efficient and ergonomically sound, joint stress will result with progression to significant injury. The most common joints affected used to be back and legs, but with the development of technology, the most common joints affected now are shoulders, elbows and wrists.
Although technology can be great, it also is the cause of a series of injuries that are on the increase. Our youth of today are faced with increased hours of study and they spend much more time on devices such as computers, lap tops, cell phones, ipads and electronic games. Although the movement required by these devices is minimal, it is constant and thus a form of static contraction. Imagine holding a hockey stick in an outstretched hand and arm for 40 minutes. Few people would be able to do this due to the resultant cramping and stress that would be produced in the wrist, elbow, forearm and shoulder. Constant use of some of these modern devices can have the same affect. Imagine the effects of this on a wrist shot.
It is imperative that work stations used for homework are properly set up for the individual user. A station that is ergonomically sound will be the key factor in avoidance of future strain and injury.
The key components of a proper workstation are:
- Arms and shoulders in neutral position.
- Proper desk height to avoid stretching.
- Proper chair size with adjustability for the back rest, seat pan and arm height.
- Computer screen that allows height adjustment so that the user’s eyes are at the top of the screen looking down.
- A keyboard tray that is height adjustable to ensure wrists and forearms are in a neutral position when using the keyboard and mouse.
- A foot stool for those whose feet do not reach the floor.
In addition to this, it is important that the user makes posture changes at least every 40 minutes. Taking small breaks from the work and performing simple stretch exercises will also give the body a break from the constant static effect of doing the computer or desk work.
So remember, some of those aches and pains you are feeling as a hockey player may have nothing to do with hockey at all, but they will eventually affect your performance.
Cheap Skate
Son, I'll buy you used pants in XL,
Like your gloves - they'll be just fine,
These pads for your shoulders will get the job done,
Even though they're the same size as mine.
Two hundred dollars for a new pair of skates!
My wallet simply ain't that fat.
And no need to cut that hockey stick down,
Son, you'll eventually grow into that.
My old football helmet will keep you safe,
Though it seems loose around the ears,
But think of the money that we're gonna save,
And you can wear this stuff for years!
"Dad, maybe my equipment will last a bit longer,
One day I'll fit into this cup,
But the problem is that I'm only five years old -
And when I fall, I can't get up!"
Louise Waronek is a freelance writer from Regina, Saskatchewan, currently working on a collection of humorous poetry. She has also written a number of articles including a short story published in Homemakers Magazine. She is parent of a minor hockey player and can be reached at l.waronek@sasktel.net.
Are you for Real?
A little known fact…
The first testicular protective “cup” was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first protective “helmet” was used in 1974.
It is amazing that it took man 100 years to realize that the brain is also important. Maybe this is why it has taken so long for people to start paying attention to Concussions.
DEAR VALUED READER, WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you would like to comment on anything that you have read in this or past newsletters; if you have some input or opinions on material you have viewed in our website; or if you simply have some valuable information or experience you would like to share with the rest of our readers, please write to us with your thoughts at info@thehockeysource.tv .
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Well Said! © Fire 'n Idea Inc. (producers of The Hockey Source) 2003-2011. All Rights Reserved.
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