Next Episode >> 3: Remove Yourself From The Drill Operation
In Episode 2 of The Belfry Way, Darryl speaks about the differences between Teaching vs. Coaching, and that coaches should not miss opportunities to teach and encourage individual players during a practice.
Teaching vs. Coaching
Darryl explains that coaching is trying to get a group of individual pieces to work together as a group towards a common goal. Coaching is much less personal, where teaching is a very personal process. In Teaching you are trying to take one of those individual pieces and maximize that piece. A lot of times that's a deconstruction and working to change or improve habits, patterns and skills.
Do Coaches Need To Perform The Skill Before Teaching It?
Darryl explains that there are advantages to being able to demonstrate a skill, but it is not critical for coaches to be able to perform the skill before teaching it. Belfry noted that he started out as a very weak skater and it took him years to demonstrate at a higher level.
He suggest that coaches should demonstrate slowly and under control so they can narrate. If they are unable to perform a skill, coaches can also leverage higher end players on the team.
What Should The Ratio of Coaching vs. Teaching Be?
Darryl suggest a ratio of 70% coaching and 30% teaching during most practices seems to be beneficial. Get the group going with coaching (which is the 70%) so that the session is moving and players are not standing, but do not miss the opportunities to teach individuals (which is the 30%).
Belfry notes that a lot of coaches miss the teaching opportunities in practice. Coaches can identify players that may need encouragement, or players might need a little advice to try something differently, or the top players might need to be challenged more. If coaches can identity times to teach players on the ice, it will show the players you care which will inspire them. The next episode shows coaches how they can remove themselves from operating the drill so they have time to teach.
