A Good Coach is Hard to Find
There are many things a coach must know in order to excel at hockey coaching so they can help their players excel as well. Follow these simple hockey coaching tips to allow the players to get the most from their workouts and build the muscle mass that is necessary to score goals and win games.
The Importance of Warm-ups and Cool-downs
A good hockey coach always makes sure all players warm-up before a practice or game. They are in charge of teaching players adequate warm-up techniques that get all the muscles lubricated to prepare for the upcoming workout. Make sure everyone engages in at least 10 minutes of low-intensity jogging or skating before attempting anything more strenuous. After the low-intensity exercise, all players must stretch every major muscle group.
The cool down is just as important as the warm-up where the muscles are concerned. After an intense conditioning workout, it’s crucial to perform at least 5 minutes of the same type of low-intensity exercise as in the warm-up. This allows the muscles to become reacclimatized to the less active state that follows the workout.
Hockey coaching also involves keeping players motivated throughout practices. Performing drill after drill while necessary to build muscle memory can become quite tiring after awhile. If the brain isn’t engaged in the  task at hand, the body tends to become lazy and not always do the drills in the correct manner.
When coaching ice hockey, it is the coach’s job to develop a series of practice plans that not only reinforce the basic skills of the game but also to try and do so in a manner that keeps players interested. One great way of accomplishing this task is by varying the exercises and drills from one practice to another, and by always correcting players when they get the chance in a constructive manner.
Building Muscles Takes Time, Effort, & Calories
When training to build muscle mass, a player’s eating patterns are vital. Since some players are unaware of this, the coach can help them along the way with their weight training during the season and in the off-season.
For example, the most important times of the day to eat when weight training are first thing in the morning and after the workout. Without a proper, substantial breakfast comprised of carbohydrates and proteins, a player will be unable to fuel themselves throughout the day, and most importantly, through their workouts.
It’s also important to eat after the workout to replenish the fuel within 90 minutes that was spent in the training session. After training, make sure to eat both complex carbohydrates and complete proteins such as chicken breasts or beef steaks.
When trying to gain weight for muscle mass, a player must consume between 2,500 and 3,500 calories daily. While this regulates the weight gain at approximately one pound per day, it takes discipline and hard work to turn into muscle. Since most players won’t have time to consult a nutritionist, the coach can be there to help players with their dietary concerns, since stronger players means more goals on the scoreboard, and more victories in a season. |
