Head Coaches must come to the tryout camp with an open mind and evaluate the skills they see on the ice, not what someone told you about a player’s ability last season.

Keep that information in mind, but look at the entire picture on the ice.

Players may have grown 4 inches or improved their skills at a summer hockey school.

And don’t rule out a so-called problem player who has exceptional skills but a different personality, as you may be that one special coach that can turn him/her around.

It may be worth a try, but it’s your call to make.

Come to the tryout camp organized with a list of specific drills you want done.

Have a start and finish time to evaluate specific skills.

Drills like 1 on 1’s, and 2 on 1’s, will show you who can play defence and which forwards can get the puck to the net by beating a defenceman.

Shooting and shootout drills are important to identify your goalscorers and competent goaltenders.

Passing & receiving drills are important to evaluate creative playmakers.However, drills alone will not tell you who the real hockey players are.

You need scrimmages with game like conditions to separate the very skilled players from the rest of the group.

When scrimmaging, made up balanced teams and lines so you can evaluate skill against skill, player against player.

Ensure you have the required staff on hand to run the scrimmage.

Assistant coaches on the bench to change lines, a trainer available

in case of an injury, and a referee & linesmen to run the scrimmage and to call off-sides, icings and assess penalties.

Selection committee members should be up in the stands observing, evaluating and making notes on all the players’ skills and deficiencies.

This gives them a great view of the entire ice surface to evaluate talent.

The coach should then sit down with them after each tryout session to receive their feedback and evaluation comments or take their written notes about every player’s offensive and defensive skills or liabilities.

The Head coach can remain at ice level to do his/her evaluation, or go up into the stands to get a better bird’s eye view.

Remember winning teams are made up of a combination of players.

Solid goaltending, rushing offensive and stay home defensive defencemen, goal scorers, playmakers and good checkers.

These 6 qualities and skills are required for a winning team.

Communication is a vital part of running a successful tryout camp.

The staff must know what the head coach wants done and when.

Be specific about the drills you want executed with start and finishtimes and when you want to start and finish the scrimmage.

Prior to going on the ice for the first time, make sure the players know what skills and attitude you are looking for and wish them all the best of luck in making the team.

When you have to release someone at tryout camp, I suggest you do it personally and professionally by explaining to them what skills you think need to be improved upon in order to play at this level.

They will thank you and respect you for your feedback.

I’ve seen too many coaches just put a list on the dressing room door or their team’s website stating who or what numbers made the team.

This is very cold & it does not give the players released any feedback as to why they didn’t make the club. I believe they should know.

John Shorey

 

Author – “Hockey Made Easy”

jshorey@hockeymadeeasy.com