Domenech’s System

Every coach must have some kind of a system or method in coaching a team. Most of these systems, or strategies, or whatever you might call them are invisible. Domenech uses astrology in his preparations to coach a team.

A newspaper reported that Raymond Domenech left out two players only because they were said to be “Scorpions” (Giuly and Pires). According to Domenech, “the scorpion is a sign that will end up killing itself.” (1)

“It’s the Scorpion which symbolizes Scorpios, and it’s no accident…. they are quite the executives … and see to it that things go forward… Fearless Scorpions rarely lose, per se, they just keep on going, since they are stubborn and determined to succeed… (2)

On the astrology site I could find anything how the scorpion fits in a team. As the previous passage explains, the scorpion often takes the Executive role and that is not (always) helping the team spirit.

Although astrology is not a science it is widely used and comprises a complete “system” in which a person’s behavior is explained. Than it is odd that for a match a specific sign -like in this case the scorpion - is left out.

For those who know little about astrology would argue that Giuly is a player who helped Barcelona to win the league in Spain in 2005.

The advantage of using a system when coaching is that it eases the communication. Astrology focuses on four main types in two dimensions and this can be explained easily. Even when people don’t believe in astrology, a team-design explained by a combination of signs (water, fire, earth and air) can serve as a tool in the discussion.

But this is only the beginning, the “squad selection”. During the game the design must be evaluated and then it comes back to the performance of the player, signs lose their value in the operation, I think.

If I read the description of the scorpion I wonder whether a scorpion wouldn’t favor the French team somehow.

4 Mistakes Summer Hockey Training Programs Make

Off-ice off-season training programs for hockey are much easier to find than ever before. However, becoming more mainstream does not mean that these programs are any more effective for developing young hockey players. Most summer hockey training programs fall victim to the same four problems and players, parents and coaches should do everything they can to avoid programs that have any of these fundamental flaws.

1) NOT Youth-Specific

You can open up virtually any fitness magazine and find a strength training program. You could take this program down to your local gym and start training right now. But you should NEVER give one of these programs to a young athlete. Odds are that the program you found in the fitness magazine was designed for adults looking to gain muscle or lose fat, not for a young athlete looking to increase their performance. Young athletes have unique developmental needs and they need a specific program that addresses those needs.

2) NOT Hockey-Specific

Young hockey players looking to take their game to the next level over the summer need to be using a program that addresses their hockey-specific needs. This does NOT mean that they should just do exercises that replicate what they do on the ice or spend the entire summer on the ice. Players need to build strength and stability in the muscles and joints that support and power hockey-specific movements off the ice this summer if they hope to see an increase in their on-ice performance in the fall.

3) NOT Long-Term

‘Quick fix’ programs are as commonplace in the hockey world as they are in the fitness industry.
Everywhere you turn there seems to be another ad guaranteeing, “Amazing Abs in only 3 minutes a day!” or promising that you’ll, “Lose 10 pounds in just 1 Week!”.
Many hockey training programs will promise players a “Harder Slap-Shot in Only 6 Sessions!” and guarantee “Phenomenal Fitness in just 4 Weeks!”. Just like the weight-loss and stomach flattening programs, these hockey programs may work in the short-term. But inevitably, after a month or so, you are left asking, “What’s next?”. The types of changes that can be made in just 4 short weeks of training will not be long-lasting, unless they are properly taught and reinforced on a more long-term basis.

4) NOT Easily-Accessible

There are plenty of good training facilities and programs out there for young hockey players. Unfortunately, in most cases, you either need to drive to another facility or buy a bunch of expensive equipment in order to get the most out of the training program.
All a young player really needs to get faster, stronger and fitter this summer is a little bit of space and their own body-weight. That’s it - no expensive gym memberships or fancy equipment and no more driving around to another training facility or rink.
Summer hockey training doesn’t need to be complicated in order to be effective. In fact, simpler is better.

Off-ice off-season training programs need to address the specific needs of young hockey players, be accessible to all players and be appropriate for their long-term athletic development in order to be effective.

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS is a Athletic Development Specialist and founder of Total Female Hockey. In addition to training and coaching girls at all levels of hockey, from novice to the National team, Kim has also played at the highest level of women’s hockey in the world for the last decade. Kim’s female player development website (http://www.totalfemalehockey.com) gives the coaches and parents of aspiring young players access to the most up-to-date programs, articles and advice on how to help their players take their game to the next level. To learn more about female-specific player development, get your Free Report: The #1 Mistake Female Players Make in the Off-Season at: http://www.totalfemalehockey.com

Blackhawks - Blue Jackets

The Chicago Blackhawks hope to continue their recent success over the Columbus Blue Jackets as they try to remain in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Blackhawks look for a third consecutive road victory over the struggling Blue Jackets as the teams meet Wednesday night.

Chicago (36-32-8) rallied for a 4-3 overtime victory at home over St. Louis on Sunday to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Blackhawks, 3-1-1 since losing four in a row, are six points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with six games remaining.

On Sunday, James Wisniewski tied the game with 55 seconds left in regulation, then assisted on Patrick Kane’s winner for the Blackhawks, who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2002.

“They know what it takes to win, to battle,” Chicago coach Denis Savard said. “Whether we get there (the playoffs) or not, they’ll prove a lot of people wrong.”

Two of Chicago’s six games will be against Columbus (33-32-11), which has lost three straight contests and is three points behind the Blackhawks.

Though the teams have each won three games in the season series, Chicago has dominated in the two most recent contests between the teams—both in Columbus— outscoring the Blue Jackets 13-5.

Kane, who also added an assist Sunday for Chicago, has two goals and an assist in the last two games versus the Blue Jackets. Kane has 47 assists, and his next one will give him the team’s rookie single-season record.

Fellow rookie Dustin Byfuglien, who also had a goal Sunday, has three of his four goals against the Blue Jackets in the teams’ last two meetings.

Seattle snaps 11-game skid

During any lull in the action, the chant of “Save Our Sonics!” began its crescendo, until it seemed the entire building was chanting at times.

Timeouts, dead balls, it didn’t matter. Even during free throws, as Seattle’s Kevin Durant found out.

“Messed me up a little bit,” Durant said. “But I heard them and that’s something I love. The crowd was into it tonight and that shows they’re going to stick behind us.”

Durant scored 23 points and the SuperSonics snapped their 11-game losing streak with a 97-84 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night.

But the overwhelming tone of this night was the future of the Sonics and the potential end of the I-5 rivalry with the Blazers.

With Sonics owner Clay Bennett pressing to move his team to Oklahoma City as early as next season, Monday night may have been the final time the longtime rivals faced off just 180 miles apart. The series started in 1970 and the Sonics hold a 98-94 lead.