Is there a right way and a wrong way to teach hockey skating?
I believe that the right way of teaching is to break down each maneuver into its many motions or parts. Players should learn each part separately and perform drills to perfect each part. The parts must then be put together so that the “whole” maneuver is performed correctly. There are several aspects of perfecting a maneuver. At first we focus on performing the maneuver correctly, then powerfully, then quickly, and finally, all three (correctly, powerfully, quickly), with the puck and then in games and under lots of pressure. When teaching youngsters it’s important to understand that it takes several years to achieve the ultimate combination. Elite players can achieve final combination much more quickly. I believe that telling players to “do this” or “do that” or “follow me” doesn’t work. They don’t know what “this” means. They may think they’re doing what you want them to do but each person’s interpretation of what you want them to do may be different. Everyone learns differently; the
