Best practices for pregame preparation in youth ice hockey games.

1. Game Preparation
Neil Giarratana
Coaching Director
neil.giarratana@keenehockey.org

2. I don’t need to win.
I only want to be
ready to play.

3. Objectives
• Prepare Physically
• Focus Mentally
• Maximize Value of the Time

4. Pre-Arrival

5. Pre-Arrival
• Scenario Cards

6. Pre-Arrival
• Scenario Cards
• Objectives - What will we learn for this
game?

7. Pre-Arrival
• Scenario Cards
• Objectives - What will we learn for this
game?
• Player specific goals / things to watch for

8. Pre-Arrival
• Scenario Cards
• Objectives - What will we learn for this
game?
• Player specific goals / things to watch for
• Lineup cards for assistants

9. Pre-Arrival
• Scenario Cards
• Objectives - What will we learn for this
game?
• Player specific goals / things to watch for
• Lineup cards for assistants
• Review previous game video / notes

10. T-60: Game Plan

11. T-60: Game Plan
• Video Walkthrough

12. T-60: Game Plan
• Video Walkthrough
• Systems Walkthrough

13. T-60: Game Plan
• Video Walkthrough
• Systems Walkthrough
• Game Plan

14. T-45: Warm Up

15. T-45: Warm Up
• Why
• Builds Team Trust
• Focuses Players
• Warm Stiff Body Parts

16. T-45: Warm Up
• Why
• Builds Team Trust
• Focuses Players
• Warm Stiff Body Parts
• How
• Calisthenics / Plyometrics / Stretching Lines
• Soccer Passing Circles - Follow Your Pass

17. T-35: Get Dressed

18. T-35: Get Dressed
• Why
• Time for Equipment Issues
• Increase Heart Rate

19. T-35: Get Dressed
• Why
• Time for Equipment Issues
• Increase Heart Rate
• How
• Silent Focus
• Encourage Visualization

20. Hockey is about tempo
and execution

21. T-15: Final Prep

22. T-15: Final Prep
• 3 Points Max

23. T-15: Final Prep
• 3 Points Max
• No complex systems!

24. T-15: Final Prep
• 3 Points Max
• No complex systems!
• Focus on us (not our opponent)

25. T-15: Final Prep
• 3 Points Max
• No complex systems!
• Focus on us (not our opponent)
• Save the RAH RAH speech

26. Game Time

27. Convince them it’s
ok to be idiots
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are
willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try
something new.” Brian Tracy

28. Post Game

29. Post Game
• Focus on Positive

30. Post Game
• Focus on Positive
• Reinforce the three points from pre-game

31. Post Game
• Focus on Positive
• Reinforce the three points from pre-game
• Review upcoming schedule
(show continuity)