🎙️ WE'RE BACK — STLHT Edition 🔥In our first episode of the season, we’re diving into:🏒 The Frozen Four – breaking down the best in college hockey⛳ The Masters – our takes on golf’s biggest weekend🔵 The St. Louis Blues – end-of-season thoughts and what’s nextPLUS — we're running an NHL Playoff Bracket Challenge 🏆Winner gets their choice of any stick from Pure Hockey 👀➡️ Fill out your bracket here: https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/en/l...💬 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay locked in all season long with STLHT!📩 Want to train with us? Learn more at https://stlhockeytraining.com/

Welcome to Episode 13 of the On Call Coaches podcast, where hosts Coach Switz and Coach Zane dive into the art of amateur player development. This holiday week, we tackle the common parental frustration of encouraging kids to practice at home, making it fun rather than a chore, and the value of spending quality time with your children through sports. We also discuss the importance of using video footage for self-analysis in sports, providing insights and practical tips for parents and coaches to help young athletes improve their game. Join us for a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and actionable advice, all from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Coach Zane is enjoying some family time and golf.

Timeline Summary:

• 00:00 - 01:12: Introduction by Coach Switz, welcoming listeners to the podcast and introducing the hosts, with a note that Coach Zane is on a trip.

• 01:12 - 01:40: Coach Zane checks in from Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Christmas holidays, discussing his golf game and family time.

• 01:40 - 02:17: Conversation about golf, leading into the main topic of encouraging kids to practice at home.

• 02:17 - 04:37: Discussion on making practice fun for kids, sharing personal anecdotes like using credit cards for targets and competitions for shooting pucks.

• 04:37 - 05:10: Extending the concept of fun practice to other sports, using examples from soccer.

• 05:10 - 07:11: The importance of quality time during practice; Coach Zane shares stories about connecting with his daughters through their interests, not just sports.

• 07:11 - 08:54: More on how to make practice engaging rather than assigning it like homework, with specific tips like turning shooting into a points game.

• 08:54 - 10:11: Addressing the issue of overloading practice, emphasizing the need for structured and fun sessions to avoid bad habits.

• 10:11 - 11:31: Reinforcing the fun aspect of practice while subtly integrating skill improvement without making it feel like work.

• 11:31 - 12:01: Transition to discussing the use of video for coaching, highlighting how technology has changed athlete training.

• 12:01 - 14:37: Coach Zane explains the effectiveness of video feedback for athletes, allowing them to see and learn from their own gameplay.

• 14:37 - 16:15: Wrapping up the episode with a summary of making practice fun and the benefits of video self-analysis, with holiday wishes and plans for the next episode.

This episode gives listeners practical strategies for engaging young athletes in both practice and self-improvement through the lens of personal coaching stories and experiences.

Episode Description:

In this episode, Alex and Zane start with a hilarious and insightful conversation about balancing the chaos of club and high school hockey schedules. They share tips on managing priorities, avoiding burnout, and the importance of communication between players, parents, and coaches (spoiler: surprises are bad). Zane even takes us on a detour to Newfoundland, where hockey made him the unofficial mayor of a small fishing town and earned him a seat at every family dinner. Meanwhile, Alex dives into what it takes to start coaching and why committing to the job is like jumping into a frozen lake—you’re either all in, or you’re not in at all.

Then, they’re joined by Coach Corey Cannon, who takes us on a journey through his hockey career. From racking up penalty minutes at Mizzou to coaching at Clayton High School, Corey shares his thoughts on building a winning program, the state of high school hockey in St. Louis, and how video coaching can transform a player’s development. Expect funny stories about late-night puck drops at Kentucky, advice for aspiring coaches, and reflections on what it means to leave a legacy in hockey.

This episode is packed with laughs, lessons, and plenty of hockey wisdom. Whether you’re a player, coach, or just a fan of the game, this one’s for you!

Timeline:

0:00-1:30 – Intro: Alex and Zane chat about a big college signing and set the stage for today’s guest.

1:31-6:00 – Balancing Club and High School Hockey: Tips on managing schedules, priorities, and communication.

6:01-9:00 – Starting Your Coaching Journey: How to get into coaching and build lasting connections.

9:01-11:30 – Introducing Coach Corey Cannon: A closer look at his playing and coaching career.

11:31-14:30 – College Hockey Tales: Mizzou penalty minutes, midnight games, and club hockey pride.

14:31-18:00 – Coaching at Mizzou and Clayton: Building programs and creating lasting legacies.

18:01-22:00 – State of High School Hockey: Corey’s take on the growing talent and areas for improvement in St. Louis.

22:01-25:00 – The Power of Video Coaching: Leveraging tech to develop hockey IQ and positioning.

25:01-28:00 – Reflections on STL Hockey Training: Corey shares his experience working with Alex and Zane.

28:01-30:00 – Outro: Wrapping up with thanks, laughs, and a promise from Corey to visit STLHT soon.