A Good Coach …
Going back to the quarter mark of the Canuck’s season, I commented that a good coach creates a system based on the players they have to work with. A good coach works to understand the entire makeup (physicality, mentality, skill) of each and every player. A good coach does not take his players and force them to play a system they are not suited for. A good coach also understands the ebb and flow of each game as well as the ebb and flow of the entire season. Therefore, a good coach does not burn out his best players by giving them a ridiculous amount of ice time in the first half of the...
Read MoreCoaching to Win
The NHL season is now past the quarter mark. I think we have had ample opportunity to formulate an image of what our Canuck team is now all about. It seems they have adopted a “run-and-gun” style of play – plenty of shots on goal without scoring. During my coaching career, I had a reputation of preferring a fast-paced game, with my teams playing up-tempo. Success was determined by the capacity of my team to play that style. When faced with coaching a team that lacked this ability, in order to give them their best chance to win, I changed my approach. I believe the hallmark of a good...
Read MorePlaying Through
Involvement in sports, both as an athlete and as a coach, has taught me many life lessons. In my younger days as a basketball player, the game continued even when I made a mistake! If I wanted to stay in the game, I had to learn to refocus on the game, not to dwell on or even react to the mistake. This “playing through” my mistake kept me “IN” the game. It was after the game had been played that I took responsibility for the mistake, often replaying the highlight reel to learn where I went wrong, with the intention of not making the same mistake in the next...
Read MoreA pain in the butt
This morning I awoke with a jolt. A vicious cramp in my left hamstring is definitely not my favourite way to start the day. I had become increasingly aware, over the past month or so, that my derriere was trying to communicate some discomfort to me – a result of too much sitting. A couple of nights before this rude awakening, I had actually had a discussion with someone about pains in the butt. I was informed that a recent article has declared that sitting has now become the “new smoking” – the danger of too much sitting translates into a heightened increase of many...
Read MoreAre you a fan?
For over five months, instead of watching NHL hockey, I’ve been subjected to the ongoing saga of players and owners squabbling over how the billions of dollars in revenue, generated by the fans attending games and buying merchandise, should be divvied up. Last night, as the puck dropped for the first game of the Canuck 2013 season, I felt relief – not anger or frustration. Finally, through the remainder of the dark days of winter, I have my hockey back. It mattered less to me that the Canucks’ performance was dreadful than that there was a game being played. No doubt last...
Read MoreGet Physically & Financially Fit
It may be the Season To Be Jolly, however; it may take more effort than one can muster when considering the state of our world. The combination of stress and less daylight makes it easier to slip into a hibernation mode. Therefore, it is the perfect time to dust off the sneakers, dig out a cozy sweat suit and head out for a brisk walk, easy run or over to your local gym. In order to make the experience more like fun than work, invite a friend or two to join you. As a Financial Advisor with a background in playing and coaching sports, I see the fundamental principles of physical fitness as a...
Read MoreThoughts on the NHL Lock-out
Through August I already sensed the changing season – a slight crispness in the air both morning and evening, leaves changing colour and the squirrels much more active in our hazelnut grove. I love the changes the seasons bring each year in our neck of the woods, especially the coming of autumn because it harkens me back to my coaching days at the University of Lethbridge. During my tenure as Head Coach for the university women’s basketball team, there was so much energy, enthusiasm and anticipation through the last part of summer and into the fall as we waited for the start of...
Read MoreLet’s get physical!
Have you ever wondered why? If physical activity helps us feel better, as well as live longer and more productive lives ….why is it, according to Statistics Canada 2008, only 37% of Canadian women engage in regular physical activity? Is it because: you don’ t know where to begin? … you don’t have time?… you don’t know what suits you? It can be an immense pleasure if we choose an activity that fits into our individual lives and is something we feel connected with. There is a myriad of choices, both solitary and team/group efforts. Some of the more...
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