The coach opened the \u201cDrill Book\u201d full of pictures and symbols with the purpose of finally mastering the game of Ringette. \u201cWow, with these drills, I can see medals on the mantle.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Bunny (ringette player 4 to 6 years of age) coordinator recently showed me her rink diagrams for the Bunnies\u00a0practice.<\/p>\n
Oh, I forgot that Bunnies cannot skate just yet, but the diagrams look great.<\/p>\n
Hey, thanks for sharing\u2026<\/p>\n
But\u2026<\/p>\n
With all the pretty diagrams these drills show where players are located on the ice, but they fail to address the core elements of the drill:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Key teaching points, and \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2022 Communication<\/p>\n
One of the leaders in skating, which is so fundamental to Ringette, is the Laura Stamm International Power Skating System (http:\/\/www.laurastamm.com\/).<\/p>\n
While our National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) requires coaches to provide key teaching points to ringette players, we get lost in the spaghetti lines found in most drill books.<\/p>\n
It is confusing for the always diligent and \u201cstudent of the game\u201d ringette coach from local ringette communities such as Icy Path.<\/p>\n
What is more important: following the lines on the page in the drill book or delivering the key teaching points with clarity, imagination and curiosity?<\/p>\n
To illustrate, the Laura Stamm method recommends the following teaching points for forward skating crossovers:<\/p>\n
1. Lock your ankles and form a 45\u00ba angle with the ice for maximum power.<\/p>\n
2. Focus on a dual stride motion \u2013 the \u201cstride push\u201d and the \u201cX-push.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Bend your knees deeply.<\/p>\n
4. Carve the edges into the ice rather than simply gliding on them.<\/p>\n
5. Maintain a level upper body for stronger balance.<\/p>\n
It is very difficult to \u201cdraw\u201d these key points on a rink diagram.<\/p>\n
Forget the drill book!!<\/p>\n
One of the best things the ringette coach can do is to learn about and apply the fundamental movement skills (throwing, running, jumping, skating).<\/p>\n
The NCCP has developed some material to help coaches.<\/p>\n
Check it out.. . http:\/\/www.coach.ca\/fundamental-movement-skills-s16736<\/p>\n
Take a power skating course by a professional skating instructor, and see how she demonstrates, instructs and guides the athlete through the key skating teaching points.<\/p>\n
Better yet \u2013 do the same for goalies to learn about goalie skills \u2013 remember goalies do not do crossovers. They need their own workouts and key teaching points.<\/p>\n
Once you get the concept and structure of the \u201ckey teaching points,\u201d then you can pick up the drill book and get back to patterns on the ice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The coach opened the \u201cDrill Book\u201d full of pictures and symbols with the purpose of finally mastering the game of Ringette. \u201cWow, with these drills, I can see medals on the mantle.\u201d A Bunny (ringette player 4 to 6 years … Continue reading