Getting back to basics with Sid “The Kid”

By Aaron Wilbur of The Coaches Site

At one time or another every coach has referenced the old cliche, “practice makes perfect.”

It makes sense.

The logic in practicing individual skills to improve ones overall game is not lost on players.

However getting players to put in the time and make the commitment to work on the finer details in their game can sometimes be a challenge.

Whether players feel they are above simplistic drills or would just rather take part in flow drills which may require little execution, finding the right motivation to get players focused on the fundamentals can be challenging.

It’s easy for kids to witness a highlight real goal made by a world class player on t.v and overlook the amount of time that was put into achieving a skill level which enabled them to make such a play look so easy. Young players especially are more focused on the finished product rather then on the process and patience required to become an elite player.

So if you find yourself looking for way to motivate your players to get back to basics and work on the fundamentals, the following videos may help get their attention.

This first video features Sidney Crosby at a Penguins practice working on a very basic stick handling drill involving the use of his edges and body to protect the puck. The drill only requires an extra stick, a puck and NO additional players. It looks simple enough but even accomplished players will find it challenging.

This second video shows Crosby protecting the puck down low in the offensive zone. Using the same skills required to protect the puck in the previous drill. He fights off Ottawa’s Jason Spezza, cutting back several times before finding defenseman Kris Letang open at the point. The result is a 2-1 lead for the Penguins  in a Stanley Cup playoff game.

So next time you have a player who seems uninterested in working on the finer  details of their game, remind them that even the best in world continue to get back to basics.