How Important is Winning?

“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”—former UCLA and Vanderbilt football coach Red Sanders



“I just want to play and have fun.”—a typical 10- to 15-year-old athlete

Research indicates that young athletes find playing for coaches who stress personal improvement, having fun and giving maximum effort is far more important and has a bigger impact on them than a team’s won-loss record. “In terms of athletes’ ratings of how much fun they had and how much they liked playing for their coach, our results showed that a mastery climate was about 10 times more influential than the team’s won-loss record,” says Dr. Ronald Smith, a University of Washington sport psychologist and co-author of a study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology.

Learning vs. Winning at All Costs

A mastery climate is a learning environment that emphasizes skill development, personal and team success, maximum effort, and fun. This approach to coaching contrasts with an ego climate, in which the main goal is winning at all costs and success is defined as being better than other players. “We found that a win-at-all-costs ego climate was negatively related to enjoyment and liking the coach,” says Smith.

Dr. Frank Smoll, co-author of the study adds, “Many coaches mistakenly believe winning is the most important thing to kids. But our research provides convincing evidence that refutes this myth.”

Kids Prefer Mastery Climate

The Smith and Smoll study surveyed 268 boys and girls who participated in basketball programs operated by Seattle Parks and Recreation. The sample was predominantly white and middle class. The results indicated that players’ attitudes toward their coach were positively associated with the athletes’ perceptions of a mastery climate and negatively associated with perceptions of an ego climate.

Boys and girls who perceived that their coach created a mastery climate:

• Liked playing for their coach more.


• Rated their coaches as more knowledgeable about the sport.


• Thought their coach was better at teaching kids how to play basketball.


• Had a greater desire to play for the coach again the following year.


• Enjoyed their team experience more.

Smoll noted that the results held up equally well for girls and boys and that winning was relatively unimportant when it comes to youth sports. Athletes who played on more successful teams (those with better won-loss records) believed that their coach was more knowledgeable about basketball, but a winning team record was far less influential than a mastery climate. “This study replicates research we did with Little League Baseball back in the 1970s,” says Smoll. “Things haven’t changed because kids’ internal makeup and core values are still the same when it comes to playing sports.”

Practical Implication

“Youth sport administrators can use our results to teach coaches a powerful lesson: Winning isn’t everything, nor is it the only thing. The key to a positive athletic experience rests solidly on the ways the coach relates to athletes and on the achievement standards that he or she emphasizes,” says Smoll.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Ronald E. Smith, Ph.D., and Frank L. Smoll, Ph.D., for contributing to this article. Drs. Smith and Smoll are sport psychologists at the University of Washington and co-directors of the Youth Enrichment in Sports program. To see previews of their Mastery Approach to Coaching and Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports DVDs, visit www.y-e-sports.com.

Turn Your Shot into a Rocket with a Speed Measuring Device

Most coaches, parents and players will agree that an accurate shot is very important. But if your shot is slow, the goalie will rob you every time! If you want to be a great all-around hockey player, then you need good aim and a powerful shot.



Tips to Improve Shot Power

Use your legs, arms, core muscles and stick to generate maximum power for a slapshot. Place your lower hand near the middle of the shaft and contact the ice a few inches behind the puck to get the most flex and power from the hockey stick. For a wrist shot, draw the puck back to get more power, and be sure to transfer your weight.

Why You Should Use a Radar Gun

A great way to improve your shot power is to train with a speed measuring device. Think about it: If you have no way to tell if the speed of your shot is increasing, how will you know if you are getting better or not? This is where a speed measuring device comes in handy.

A speed measuring device such as a radar gun, is a great way to measure how hard your shot is. Not only will you be able to track your improvement every day, but you will also be able to test and tweak your shot and learn proper form.

Jeremy “Red Light” Rupke from howtohockey.com is a great example of a hockey player who improved his shot with the help of the SpeedTracX radar gun from hockeyshot.com. Jeremy improved his shot speed by 20 mph in just a few months!

If you want to track your progress as you work to improve your shot and stay motivated, then pick up a SpeedTracX radar gun or a Demon Hot Shot puck from hockeyshot.com today!

Practice Heads-Up Stickhandling with Video-Game Like QuickStickz

The best way to improve is a skill is with repetition—person has to repeat a motion about 10,000 times before he or she can do it automatically. As a hockey player, it is very important to be able to move the puck quickly, and that comes with repetitive practice. A good way to motivate hockey players to practice is to provide a fun training atmosphere, and that is exactly what the QuickStickz does. With a video-game like atmosphere, the QuickStickz provides a camera that connects to your stick, a website and drills to help you perfect quick puck movement, moving the puck around the body, and pulling the puck in towards their body. Since hockey players must look at the screen to complete the drills, the system also encourages heads-up (safe) hockey.



Click here to read the full review and view a video.

USA Hockey Body-Checking Rule Change Proposal

The proposed rule change will move the age of legal body checking in games from 12U to 14U. USA Hockey’s Board of Directors, Councils, Committees and Affiliate Presidents discussed all playing-rule proposals at their Winter Meeting in mid-January 2011. The USA Hockey Board of Directors will vote on the proposal in June 2011. If passed, the change would take effect for the fall 2011–2012 season.

How did the discussion begin?

The body checking discussion is one that has been going on for a long time within USA Hockey. This is a complex and emotional issue and is being looked at from many angles. Although safety is obviously a huge concern, we didn’t approach this initially from the safety side of the equation. We began by looking at how players develop their hockey-playing abilities. Over the past two years we began to evaluate how Squirt and PeeWee skaters play and react in similar on-ice situations. We observed that Squirts tend to be more aggressive, and emphasize skills (skating, stickhandling, passing and body position) in an attempt to make plays. The conclusion was simply that players at the Squirt level attempt to play the game in the correct manner.

In the same situations, however, many Peewee players react differently. Players at the PeeWee level were observed either allowing the opponent to get the puck first so that they can initiate body contact or laying off so that they don’t get hit. Although this may not be true for every player, we have found that it is common and prevalent at all levels of PeeWee hockey throughout the United States. With this being said, we do know that physiologically (and most importantly), players at this age are in their prime “window of opportunity” to acquire sports skills. The current rules we have in place hinder our children from the acquisition of skills at the highest possible level.

What else was learned during the study?

Although the original focus was not on the injury side of this issue, so much medical research information has been brought forward that it simply cannot be ignored. USA Hockey must always consider the health and safety of its players. A number of recent studies (in Canada at the AAA level) show that the serious injury rate at PeeWee is four times greater in checking vs. non-checking leagues. Of note is the fact that the injury rate between those same two groups is identical (and low) in practice.

What also came to light is the fact that, cognitively, the 11-year-old brain has not fully developed the ability to anticipate well. Anticipation is 50 percent of a player’s ability to protect himself and avoid heavy contact that leads to these serious injuries. We realize there should be contact in hockey; however, we do not want to place players into a situation where their cognitive skills are not yet fully developed to protect themselves. This is a function of brain development that players cannot “learn” by doing.

Who else was involved in this decision process for USA Hockey?

USA Hockey’s Body Checking Sub-Committee is made up of experts from a variety of areas. This includes people such as Dr. Mike Stuart from the Mayo Clinic who is USA Hockey’s Chief Medical Officer and the father of three sons who have played in the NHL; Al McInnis; Mike Millbury; and many others. USA Hockey has taken a very inclusive look at this issue.

Wouldn’t the rule change hurt bigger players?

During the PeeWee years (11 to 12 years old), most male players are just on the cusp of hitting their adolescent growth spurt. This means that it is still to be determined who will end up being the bigger players in the long run. The player that has greater size and strength at PeeWee may end up being on the average or smaller side when everything evens out during the later teens. This means that players who rely on size and strength at an early age do not develop the necessary playing skills they need to be effective later on. Body contact and body positioning skills are far more important for a player to acquire at the PeeWee age and are the precursor skills to effective checking and playing skills as they get older.

What is body contact vs. full-body checking?

It is not accurate to simply say USA Hockey is taking checking out of PeeWees. The overall proposal is to increase the allowable body contact beginning at Mites and progress through Bantam when full, legal body checking would begin in games. As an example, the American Developmental Model (ADM) Red, White & Blue Hockey at 8U introduces the cross-ice environment to increase traffic and congestion—and thus, the associated natural body contact—through simply reducing space.

The proposal would then increase the allowable body contact as player’s progress through Squirts and PeeWees. Competing at the puck, angling to gain possession or stop an offensive attack are examples at these levels. An important objective of this proposal is to eliminate the “big hit” in PeeWees where players ignore the puck and try to “blow up” an opponent.

Although not allowed in games, coaches will be asked to introduce and teach full-body checking techniques in every practice during the two PeeWee years. We believe this to be a better solution than what we oftentimes see today: a single weekend “introduction to checking” clinic. The proposal is to provide players two years to acquire the necessary checking skills in a safer environment.

Where can I get more information?

You may check out the body-checking rule change proposal by Kevin McLaughlin, USAH Senior Director of Hockey Development, and Brian Burke.



What does this mean for Spring 2011 at U12?

There will be no change to hockey in spring 2011. The 2011 spring season will be played under the current rules and format since the proposal will not be voted on until June 2011.

What happens to the PeeWees going into their second year?

Due to the nature of the two-year hockey levels, second year PeeWees will continue to learn proper checking during their training sessions so they can better apply them in 14U Bantam games.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to USA Hockey for providing this Q&A.

Build Muscle Memory with Halo

The Halo is a stickhandling and shooting training aid for hockey players. The idea behind the device is to train newcomers to the game of hockey. The problem a lot of new players have is using their muscles properly. Most hockey players who just start have trouble stickhandling and shooting. The Halo was made to only work if proper technique is used. The purpose of the Halo is to train build your muscle memory to perform the proper actions that are required for shooting in hockey. In order to raise a ball while using the Halo you will have to cup it, and then perform the “wrist flick” that also helps elevate a hockey puck. Click here to read the full review and see it in action.

Heavy Metal Reigns for Hockey Players’ Entrance Music

If hockey were like baseball, players could select their own entrance music — aka, the “at-bat music.” Recently, the Colorado Avalanche asked its players what they'd pick. So we asked our readers what songs they would pick and why, and the songs and bands they chose range from the expected to the humorous to the fictional. Our favorites — and the winners of HockeyShot gift certificates — were those who provided a strong hockey rationale for their picks. If you’re not up for having one of these songs running through your head all day, stop reading now. I mean Right Now…

• ACDC’s Thunderstruck. "I hate when arenas play rap. It’s so not hockey…"


• Benny Hill’s theme song Yakkity Sax.


• Black Tide’s Warriors of Time.


• Black Eyed Peas’ Tonight’s Gonna Be a Good Night.


• Elton John’s Saturday Night’s All Right for Fighting.


• Genesis’ Turn It On Again. "Perfect theme music."


• Hush’s Fired Up.


• Metallica’s Enter Sandman.


• Metallica’s Seek and Destroy. "A very high energy song that just feels like hockey."


• Nickelback’s Animals.


• Queen’s We Will We Will ROCK You!


• Republica’s Ready to Go. "Starts slow and rocks."


• RUSH’s Tom Sawyer.


• Steel Dragon’s Stand Up and Shout from the fictional band in the motion picture Rock Star.


• Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger from the Rocky soundtrack.


• The Prodigy’s Breathe.


• The Zambonis’ Hockey Monkey.


• Van Halen’s Right Now.

Now that you have a peppy song running through your head, our top picks with links to the songs follow. Thanks to the generosity of HockeyShot.com, we were able to award $50 gift certificates to our top three picks!

• Metallica’s Enter Sandman: “I’m kind of a stay at home defenseman on my team and it’s my job to put the other team’s scorers to sleep.” —Matt

• RUSH’s Tom Sawyer: “It’s a Canadian group and probably the band with the closest ties of any to hockey. (Neil Peart has his own drum solo version to the Hockey Night in Canada theme song.) This is a great tune that is immediately recognizable to all fans; the opening drum, keyboard and guitar instantly get you pumped up; and Geddy Lee’s voice is minty! If that doesn’t win then I’ll guess I’ll just go with You Light up my Life by Debby Boone!” —Nick

• Hush’s Fired Up* : “My 11-year-old He says this song makes him think about teamwork.” A sampling of lyrics:

My crew is all fired up
Y’all better just wise up

Everybody gettin’ sized up
Before we all rise up

Start runnin’ your times up

Cuz’ when my crew ride up

The sky gon’ light up

Everybody get FIRED UP!!!

*Don't worry, we have linked to the family-friendly Chipmunks version.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Kelly Anton with the Grow the Game Initiative for this story.

Black or Blue?

What kid that plays baseball doesn’t dream of hitting a home run? Hockey’s equivalent is probably picking the upper corner to score a goal. In order for that big hit to be a home run, the fence needs to be moved in considerably. Most Mites need a similar accommodation and that is the Blue Puck.



About five years ago, USA Hockey issued a suggestion that the Blue Puck be used for Squirts and a requirement that it be used for Mites. So just exactly what is a Blue Puck, and why don’t we see more of them?

A regular puck weighs six ounces; the blue one is 25 percent less. For kids that are still a few years away from getting their strength, a Blue Puck is easier to handle, easier to pass, and much easier to shoot. Going “top shelf” becomes possible. The idea behind USA Hockey’s recommendation is that making the game more fun for more players at the beginning levels will result in accelerated skill development and increased retention.

Followers of the NHL know the league isn’t just for North Americans like it was through the 1970s. Rosters today include scores of Scandinavians, Russians, and Czechs. Finns and Swedes play Blue Puck through age 10, and Czechs use it too but it is not required.

Critics cite tradition (“we don’t have any problems with the black puck”) and logistics (“just one more thing to keep track of”), but usually focus mainly on the different playing characteristics of the Blue Puck. Simply put, it bounces. I grew up playing lots of outdoor hockey with no gear. As a result, there were no “lifters.” Sometimes we would mix it up and play with a tennis ball or ultra-light “sponge” puck. These too have far different playing characteristics, but I can assure you it was just as much fun.

USA Hockey terms this a mandate and not just a recommendation. Recently they have made it a point of emphasis to monitor use of the Blue Puck at the Mite level. It is still unclear what penalty will be for noncompliance, but don’t be surprised if you see more of the Blue Puck in the future. Our sport’s national governing body has asked that everyone give it a chance, at least long enough to let the kids decide if they like it.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to John Conley of the Florida Youth Hockey Report: The Fire for this story. Click here to see back issues of The Fire.