Ask Dan Question & Answer

(An index of subjects covered on the Q & A page of the web site,

 the Newsletters, and Dan and Jay's books  can be found on the

 Index of Subjects page)

Question #123:
Dear Dan: Like most organizations in the mid-west we lack the numbers to hold "true" tryouts for most of our competative travel squads. Due to that, we have our share of hockey brats. Although our teams have been successfull and have won championships, we are increasingly seeing the attitude, "I don't have to listen to you. What can you do, cut me? You won't have enough people to play" type attitudes. Several of our kids, although talented, take their spots for granted. They feel just because they are on the travel team, it is a given right that they will play every game due to the number of players we have. We preach to them that they practice will determine how they will play, during games rather then forechecking in the O-zone our centers continue to play the way they want to and not how they are told to play. Selfishness, lazyness, cockyness, and disrespect is the rule more often then not.

In a situation like ours where you only have 14 boys come to the tryout - so that is the team you have to work with - what advice can you share on how to motivate these boys into playing as they should play not how they want to play, without sacrificing a complete season?? We have some talented kids but some are the kind of hockey brats you describe in your Dec. Newsletter and this is affecting the rest of this team? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Frustrated Coach

Dan Replies:
Dear F.C.: Believe it or not, some coaches in the NHL have problems with player's attitudes as well. As far as I know there is only one way to correct attitudes: limit ice time. If a premier player is not giving 100%, the coach should indicate the player's not living up to expectations, tell him what's expected, and warn him that if he doesn't shape up there will be consequences. Then, in the first period of the next game, if the behavior is not changed... the first time there is a power play that he would normally be a part of, sit that player. Then let him take a regular shift or two and if he didn't get the message, sit him for the next power play. And if he still doesn't get it, send him down a line or two.

In the NHL egos are in the million dollar range but the prize, the ego sustainer, the status - is ice time and particularly ice time in key situations. If I'm not the first one over the boards on the PK, I wonder if I've done something wrong.

There are some coaches in the NHL (i.e. Scotty Bowman) who have the guts to do it, so they control their players (remember Federov on the fourth line a few years ago). Some other coaches with less tenure allow egos to run amok. But it will work if you are willing to carry out your threats.

You have a similar situation - not huge talent or big salaries, but low numbers causing attitude problems. Again, in order: meet indicating the problem, tell the player what's expected, threaten consequences (but don't say what they are), then use ice time and particularly prized ice time as the punishment. I think you'll see very quick results (probably within 4 minutes) because ice time is what we play the game for.

We are on record as espousing fair ice time for everyone - even if they make mistakes. Having a bad attitude is not a mistake and we are suggesting limiting the prized ice time - different than shortening the bench in the third period to win a game.

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