Effective coaching is not how many drills you can do nor video of the best players in short clips. Many famous coaches from pro and college sports are doing videos about motivation and assorted ideas that worked for them at the highest levels. For the majority of coaches in all sports they are coaching young players of which only very few will become elite players. 

After 50 years of coaching there are a few points I would like to share with you.  

• How do you want to be remembered by your players 40 or 50 years from now? They do remember.
• Typically you are just one of maybe 100 coaches that players will interact with by age 17. What makes you stand out?  Not Xs and Os.
• Learn about what their goals are in sport because it might surprise you that they are different than yours.
• Understand why you coach.
• The elite players will climb the ladder to success because they are geneticly built for the game - mentaly and physically. They do not need you. 
• Be patient with them as they learn and improve. Have a growth mindset. They will get better in the right environment. 
• Push them to be better and celebrate growthg individually and in their team play.
• Teach leadership skills at U14 and higher.
• Engage with every player every day with a smile and handshake. Make it fun.
• Get to know them with quick side bar moments during practice or off ice.
• Make it fun but demanding.
• Get them out of their comfort zones into the opportunity zone. Inspire them to become uncomfortable because that is where the growth occurs. 
• Create a positive culture. Strength in the locker room strength on the ice.

There are more but first coaches need to decide to be Transformational rather than Transactional. Once yoou crosss that bridge you willl enjoy coaching more and your players will flourish.

Every day is a great day for hockey!