Thanks Cap A.........

Ask this question: is the coach's job at risk if he doesn't win? If no, then roll lines. If yes, then expect (and embrace) specialization and playing time imbalance.

I guess that means HS hockey, juniors above a certain level, maybe other situations. Anything labeled as "youth hockey", JV, or rec/house league should be rolling lines, as the goal is fun and/or to develop for the above-mentioned levels when winning becomes important and competition for playing time is real.

All this being said, I'm all for reducing playing time for missing practices or not giving full effort at any level (OK, above mites, but even then if done in an age appropriate way). If done correctly, introducing consequences for conduct detrimental to the team is an essential part of developing a hockey player.

I hate this - "All this being said, I'm all for reducing playing time for missing practices"

Yeah if the kid is old enough to drive himself to the rink, otherwise it could be 100% the parent's fault, family issues or something totally out of the kid's control and the kid shouldn't get penalized.

When my son played Squirts we had a tournament up in Lake Placid and a family on the team had two kids on the team. The family simply didn't have the cash to pull off the trip and the coaches held it against the two players for the rest of the season.

It doesn't cost any extra to get to practice. Obviously this depends on circumstances, but consistently missing practices then skating a regular shift in games sends the wrong message to the players that commit to the team. It may not be the kids fault, but this is one of the many ways that parents can get their kid cut.

When my oldest was a 1st yr Squirt, he had to skip a practice because he hadn't finished a school project that he had plenty of time to complete. I let the coach know and let him know why he wasn't going to be there. The next practice he spoke to me quickly before practice and my son 1-1 after practice and explained that he made the right choice missing practice but he had let the team down. As a result of my kids choices, he wouldn't skate the 1st period. I was completely okay with this tactic and he hasn't missed another project since. It was a lesson well learned and because the coach communicated with me, I wasn't shocked and was able to support the decision. So yeah, if the kid is missing practices, there should be some sort of repercussion if there isn't a good reason.

There's an example of "if done correctly".

I'm sorry. Your kid is obviously the exception. Congrats on signing the big D1 commit and NHL contract. First 08 to do so? That is awesome. Make sure junior continues to skate through the entire team and take extra long shifts. Great way to learn to play the game. Continued success to you and your kid, Scotty Bowman.

Wrong

roll the lines!

However, make exceptions in the last couple minutes of third period in tight games.

I would also say it is more than appropriate to shorten the bench in the 3rd period of very important games (ie playoffs, league games late in season where game impacts playoff birth, finals of tournaments, etc)...

otherwise, the benefits and development you get from rolling lines will far outweigh other options over the course of a season... and over the longer haul.


oh and... let's not overlook that while player development "should" be the goal for ALL parents... there are more than a couple parents on every team that expect wins. a coach needs to consider that also.... a balancing act for sure!

Right

Good post. Someone should tell that to the 08 Eagles and 08 Falcons coaches. Those tool bags roll out their three best kids on the team every other shift and they play the entire last 5 minutes of the game. Great way to develop the rest of your players fellas.

Too many think it's the NHL...and if you're sitting any kids, the coach should act with a little class and sit his kid first. (Never going to happen)

Right

wrong

great rebuttal and explanation.

Explain to me why it is so important to win at all cost? Will little johnny's tier 1 championship trophy sit on the shelf next to dads 1987 bantam b house league championship trophy? If wifey is still dusting that then there is more problems than Johnny finishing in second place. Does anyone care about that stuff ?

Trust me nobody cares. The games are supposed to be fun The work and development is in practice. If your coach is not introducing or reinforcing a skill(s) at practice. Taking that skill and putting it in a small area fast paced drill which translates into the game then you are missing the boat Practice should be game speed with a lot of touches while learning a skill to be translated into the game with or without the kids realizing it is happening. If this happens then there is no need to shorten the bench. Your team will be competitive and win its share of championships

It's a life lesson...not a hockey lesson cupcake !

this is why all the kids think they are entitled to everything when they get older, like being on the PP and PK at PW hockey. Soft

Enough of this "life lesson" crap at the rink - that's a cop out for bad coaches.

Life lessons should be taught AT HOME by the parents.

Hockey lessons should be taught AT THE RINK by coaches.

Its NOT the coaches job to teach your kid "life lessons", and its NOT the parents job to teach their kids hockey lessons.

So if a kid is really having trouble in a particular drill routinely in practice, let's say odd man defensive zone coverage, which emulates PK, are you just supposed to roll him out and give up a 2-1 lead in the 3rd for the single players development?

Or should he show some semblance of progress and display it in a practice setting first?

first off, if you are working on defensive zone coverage at squirts, pee wees and first year bantams then there is your problem. Your coach shouldn't be stopping practice to show little billy where he should be standing. Standing around at practice preaching to kids zone coverages is a waste of time. You see their eyes gloss over faster than telling them that they need to clean their room. They don't care. The coach should be working with them to develop skills in small areas. Keep the practices fast paced and in game type situations. They will learn what they are supposed to do without realizing they are learning because it is fun.

secondly, life lessons about being on the PP, PK etc. is BS. Hockey is set up the way it is supposed to be. If the kid is not at the elite level then he shouldn't be there. If he is cut then he needs to understand that there is commitment to be made. Some will do it others will find other interests. Who cares?

winning is not the end all. I guarantee after winning the big game the kids are doing the exact same thing as the kids that lost the big game. playing XBOX or on their phones. it is a bigger deal to the parents. Dad can't wait to tell everyone at work how Johnny is the player that stirs the drink. As the years pass the kids that are committed to it are on to bigger things such as prep schools college commits etc. The kids that are not have moved onto girls, music, baseball whatever. Nobody ever says," Gee if the coach played Billy instead of Johnny we would have won the squirt championship. nobody cares.

finally, if you looked at all the kids that "make it" you will probably find that they were on good TEAMS and were surrounded by players that complimented each other. They were not the kid with all the skill that turned every 3 on 2 Ito a 1 on 1. Coaches at the higher level are looking for good kids first. not jerks. secondly, they are looking for good hockey players who understand the game. they do not want Johnny puck hog who is used to always being on the PP and the PK.

Just relax. Enjoy it. if your kid is good enough then he will grow in the game and be foundIf he isn't then he will realize himself and find other interests. Honestly, none of this means anything in the big scheme of things

be careful for what you wish for.........

If you asked every parent on the team that there should be PP and Pk lines and shorter benches in the third period! I bet everyone would agree. But guess what, everybody thinks that their kid should be playing and that your kid should sit!!!!!!! It gets better because coach might agree with you. Daddy coach is a parent too and I guarantee you that his Gretzky is better than your Mario. That leaves only 4 other spots on the PP and only 3 other spots on the PK. Wait until you see the BS in the stands if he has to pull the goalie !!!!!!

Every parent thinks this way. but what they are really saying is....Run PP. and PK. just make sure my kid is on it. Sitting is for the other kids not my little super star. Be careful for what you wish for because everyone else may not see it the same way as you do.

Wanna bet the only ones saying to roll the lines are the parents of kids who would not play on the PP PK or last two mins of a close game ???

Try to find one set of parents that doesn't think their kid should be out there on the PP and PK. You would have better luck finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I've seen plenty of angry parents and shouting matches with coaches when junior is on the bench during "crunch time". Even if everybody knows that junior is the 13th player in the roster. Good luck on your search.

Coaches put out who is best at the right times to win the game, not to please parents. If you think your kids should be out and he is not it because your head is in the clouds and not reality. Our coach is up front with parents regarding playing time. There is no BS. If you ask why your kid isn't out or was skipped he tells you exactly why. He rarely shortens the bench but when he does there is a good reason. He tells the parents at the beginning of the season..he is in charge, he makes the decisions and if you don't like it leave. It really cuts down on a lot of problems. No one yells to the coach from the stands for any reason...good way to get your kid bench even if he is one the top kids.