How to Choose the Right Developmental Approach for Your Hockey Team
When it comes to building a successful hockey team, choosing the right developmental approach is crucial. Just like any other sport, hockey requires a strategic and systematic approach to nurturing the skills and talents of players at various stages of their development. However, with the multitude of options available (we will focus on a traditional vs games approach only), finding the perfect developmental approach for your team can be a daunting task. So, whether you are a coach, a parent, or a team manager, understanding these considerations will help you create a well-rounded and competitive team that thrives on the ice.
A Well-Rounded Approach
As a youth hockey coach, I will start off my sharing my preference which is a combination of traditional and games approach. The reason for my position is because these two approaches cover various factors which may be lacking in the other. By applying both techniques, you can accomplish a more well-rounded approach to coaching.
At the most basic level, the traditional approach to sports development focuses on skill acquisition where the games approach puts an emphasis on the stratetgic and tactical aspects of the sport. By focusing on only one of these components it can be a disservice to the athlete since they will either have great skills with no strategy or great strategies with no skills so there needs to be a balance.
Traditional Approach Benefits
One of the reasons why I love this approach is the linear nature of it. You learn Skill A so you can perform Skill B and so forth. It is clear. It is digestible. There is a clear roadmap. If an athlete flourishes in an environment where mastery can be earned it serves as an ideal foundation for this type of learning.
Games Approach Benefits
While a linear approach is admirable, there is also something very compelling by leaving things open-ended and promoting learning through actual gameplay. In fact, the USA Hockey certification program I am currently enrolled in encourages this approach for faster learning and development since it better mimics real life game scenarios.
How to Choose
Again, I really like the well-rounded combination of both but ultimately it really depends on the coach and the the team. For instance, some team cultures may respond better to both because there are components offered which can fit a diverse group of personalities. However, some teams may prefer just one approach to enhance their focus and accomodate a specific learning style. With all that being said, everything just depends on whether the coach and team love processes (traditional) or enjoy something more free flowing (games).
