Coaches' Corner

Coaches Corner - Lacrosse

Coaches' Corner is a space where students and coaches can access helpful sport-specific resources; a different sport is highlighted every month.

Various aspects of sports are brought to the forefront such as accessibility, lesson plans, and general knowledge (who doesn’t love fun facts?!). With the world of coaching being ever-changing, we believe it is important to constantly strive to be a better coach and mentor. We hope that these resources are helpful to you and that in the future you may try and incorporate some of your learnings into your lesson plans and programs. 

Helpful Resources

News in Hockey

Fun Facts

  • According to Matthews (2014), the coveted Stanley Cup has been presented to one team each year since 1914, barring two years (1919 during the Spanish Influenza and 2005 due to the NHL Lockout).
  • The first ever indoor hockey game was March 3rd, 1875 in Montreal (Matthews, 2014).
  • You can play hockey no matter your height. According to Matthews (2014), the shortest recorded player in the NHL was 5 feet, 3 inches (Roy Woters) who was a goalie.

Skills Spotlight

According to Hockey Canada (n.d.), the fundamental skills in hockey are passing, puck handling, and shooting. In all three skills, Fundament Movement Skills are embedded, such as agility and balance. NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) offers a Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) workshop (Douglas College offers this module through SPSC 1195).

For further information regarding the NCCP FMS Workshop visit: coach.ca/nccp-fundamental-movement-skills

Pursuing a teaching career but also love hockey? Here are some high school with Hockey Programs/Academies

British Columbia offers a range of Hockey Academies. These academies offer a unique learning experience to their athletes. Part of their time is spent in the classroom learning traditional school subjects, while the remainder of the day is spent training for hockey on and off the ice.

  • Delta Hockey Academy
    deltahockeyacademy.com
    The Delta Hockey Academy is known to develop exceptional students and athletes. They work closely with the Delta School District to provide outstanding education and training.
  • Yale Hockey Academy
    yalehockey.abbyschools.ca
    The Yale Academy offers student-athletes the opportunity to grow and develop important life and hockey skills through classroom studies, on and off ice training, and through the Canadian Sport School Hockey League.
  • Okanagan Hockey Academy
    www.okanaganhockey.com/academy/penticton/about/
    The Okanagan Hockey Academy is just one academy that the OHA hosts. The Okanagan Hockey Academy places equal need for excellence in the classroom and on the ice. Students will spend time in the classroom (as at a regular high school), but additional time training for hockey on and off the ice.

References

Hockey Canada. (n.d.). Skating Skill Development: The Skating Pathway. Retrieved on September 12, 2020, from https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockeyprograms /players /essentials /positions-skills/skating

Matthews, D. (2014, July 23). 20 Fun, random facts about hockey. Last Word On Sports. Retrieved September 1, 2020, from https://lastwordonsports.com/2014/07/23/20-fun-random-facts-about-hockey/#

Download this information

Helpful Resources

  • Canadian Lacrosse Association
    www.lacrosse.ca
    The Canadian Lacrosse Association website offers a variety of resources including news, events, and information about the sport of lacrosse.
  • British Columbia Lacrosse Association
    www.bclacrosse.com
    The BC Lacrosse Association website provides details on the various kinds of lacrosse, team BC, and helpful resources such as field layouts and rules.

News in Lacrosse

  • An 18 year old Ontario Lacrosse player, Aidan Fearn, created a petition to include Iroquois National Lacrosse Team in the 2022 World Games, which took off rather quickly.
    Read full article

Fun Facts

  • Guli (2019), acknowledged that “modern rules for the sport date back to 1974 when they were drafted for a match between the Native American communities of Seneca and Mohawks.”
  • Today men’s lacrosse teams have 10 players while the women’s lacrosse teams have twelve. Doyle (2018), found that in the early years of the sport, lacrosse teams had “… from 100 up to 1000 on a field that was nearly two miles long.”
  • Guli (2019), pointed out that the first lacrosse game played by women was in Scotland in 1890.
  • According to Doyle (2018), Lacrosse was “… ranked among the top 3 safest sports by the NCAA” which is rather impressive.

Skills Spotlight

According to Whittemore (2018), the basic skills required in Lacrosse are passing, catching, scooping, and cradling. The sport of lacrosse requires the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping, throwing, agility, and balance. Lacrosse is a high action sport that involves many precise actions and movements.

High School Highlights

Each of these academies strive to develop and maintain a high level of personal and athletic excellence with their student athletes. Sports academies offer a unique opportunity to not only develop intellectually, but also competitively by splitting their time between regular classroom activities and Lacrosse training.

References

Doyle, J. (2019, February 21). 11 Fun facts about its history and origins. LacrossePal. Retrieved on September 5, 2020 from https://lacrossepal.com/lacrosse-facts-history/

Guli, N. (2019, August 02). 8 Interesting facts about lacrosse you didn’t know. Retrieved from https://www.explosion.com/132077/8-interesting-facts-about-lacrosse-you-didnt-know/

Whittemore, F. (2019, October 15). Basic lacrosse skills. Retrieved from https://www.sportsrec.com/4244533/basic-lacrosse-skills

Download this information

Helpful Resources:

Canada Snowboard: https://www.canadasnowboard.ca/en/about/our-credo/

Para Snowboard Canada: https://paralympic.ca/paralympic-sports/para-snowboard

News in Snowboarding:

Pandemic tests Canada's ability to stay a winter-sport powerhouse in Beijing in 2022

This article by CTV News, outlines the impact Covid-19 has had on a variety of winter sports. This article additionally, provides insight for what is being done for training and competitions in the future.

CTV News Montreal, highlights Canadian Olympic freestyle snowboarder Max Parrot, who was recently deemed cancer-free. Article HERE

Fun Facts:

  • According to Boday (2018), the sport of snowboarding was invented in the 1960’s and was first called “Snurfing” (a combination of “snow” and “surfing”).1
  • Similar to skateboarding, snowboarding was seemed to be a youth sport, while skiing was for the older population, this actually caused snowboarding to be banned at resorts in the 1980’s (Boday, 2018).1
  • The sport of snowboarding made its Olympic debut in Nagano, Japan (1998).2

Skills Spotlight:

Snowboarding utilizes Fundamental Movement Skills such as balancing, jumping, and sliding.

High School Highlights:

Rossland Secondary School is now expanding their athletics academy and piloting The Red Mountain Racers Ski Academy in Rossland, BC

COVID-19 Tool Kit

Popular British Columbia winter sport destinations are opening soon with new safety precautions. Whistler Blackcomb, Big White, and Cypress will be observing safety measures such as:

  • Mandatory mask wearing
  • Increased sanitation
  • “Bubble” only lift loading
  • Social distancing
Snowboarder 4
Snowboarder 3
Snowboarder 2
Snowboarder 1

Helpful Resources:

News in Taekwondo:

This captivating article emphasizes the introduction of Para Taekwondo to what was supposed to be the Summer 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which will now be held in 2021.

https://www.paralympic.org/feature/sport-week-welcome-para-taekwondo

“Taekwondo Day celebrated 20 years from sport’s Olympic debut” this article outlines September 4th as World Taekwondo Day, which happens to fall on the anniversary of the first time the sport appeared at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney: https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1098029/sydney-2000-world-taekwondo-day

Fun Facts:

According to McNeely (August 24, 2019), translational breakdown of Taekwondo is “’[t]ae’ translates to foot, ‘kwon’ to hand, and ‘do’ to way. Taekwondo means the way of the fist and foot.”

Taekwondo Canada (n. d.), explains that competitors “… wear the Dobok, the traditional white uniform with protective equipment, is coloured for easy differentiation.”

McNeely (August 24, 2019), describe the sport as “primarily a striking art though training may also include grappling, throws and joint locks. It specializes in fast powerful kicks.”

Skills Spotlight:

Fundamental Movement Skills involved in the complex sport of Taekwondo include: kicking, dodging, and balancing.

15 exercises to improve balance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-xtL7NO0fw

Injury Prevention:

Taekwondo Canada takes injuries seriously. Check out this link for helpful safety tips and injury prevention: http://taekwondo-canada.com/programs/Medical

Taekwondo Canada highlights an article with a concussion recognition tool graphic by Dr. Terry De Freitas.

Taekwondo Canada also recognizes the high possibility of neck and head injuries in the sport. They outline signs of injuries and the appropriate steps to take for “non-medical” personnel. Their website also emphasizes tips on how to safely re-enter into the sport.

COVID-19 Tool Kit:

Taekwondo Canada offers extensive information regarding the risks, different policies, and recommendations for those participating in Taekwondo during heightened COVID-19 precautions: http://taekwondo-canada.com/programs/covid-19

Taekwondo Canada has also added a “Return to Sport” video discussing what the organization is doing to stay safe:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mALBNnWR3vM&feature=youtu.be

Coach Certifications:

Taekwondo Canada states their requirements for coaching certification “… includes the entire evaluation process for the context and includes requisite online multi-sport training/evaluations and other non-NCCP training/certifications” such as first aid.

Check out these links for more information:

References:

McNeely, D. (August 24, 2019). 10 Facts about Taekwondo. Martial Minded. Retrieved from                               https://martialminded.com/taekwondo-facts/

Taekwondo Canada. (n. d.). About us. Taekwondo Canada. Retrieved from http://taekwondo-     canada.com/about-us/

Helpful Resources:

  • Basketball Canada:  https://www.basketball.ca – The Basketball Canada website highlights players, news, and links to the fan store.
  • Wheelchair Basketball Canada: https://www.wheelchairbasketball.ca – The Wheelchair Basketball Canada website offers program information, news, events, videos, and much more.

 

News in Basketball/ Wheelchair Basketball:

  • Ottawa will host the 2026 International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) World Championships for men and women! Check it out HERE
  • Basketball Canada shares top 10 moments in Canadian basketball from 2020: Read Article

 

Fun Facts:

  • CBC Kids (n.d.), expressed that “[t]he average NBA shoe size is a whooping 14.81, and the biggest is 20.”
  • When playing wheelchair basketball, players are able to dribble and wheel their chair at the same time. Wheelchair Basketball Canada (n.d.)  also states that “… if the ball is picked up and/or placed on the player’s lap, he or she is only allowed to push twice before being obligated to shoot, pass, or dribble the ball again.”
  • According to CBC Kids (n.d.), basketball was not only “… originally played using a brown soccer ball,” the original nets used on “[t]he first basketball courts had peach baskets nailed up as nets.”

 

Skills Spotlight:

  • The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) involved in the sport of basketball include: running, catching, jumping, and dribbling.
  • Active for Life has FMS videos and other FMS resources: Find them here
  • Videos on the Fundamentals of Dribbling and the Jab Step – videos are under 3 minutes each.
  • Wheelchair Basketball Dribbling Skills Video
  • Wheelchair Basketball Speed and Agility Skills Video

 

Injury Prevention:

  • Active and Safe Central has an in-depth resource page on injury prevention in basketball.

Check it out!

 

COVID-19 Tool Kit:

  • The Coaching Association of Canada has live webinars to address “Coaching Through COVID” which can be accessed here: https://coach.ca/coaching-through-covid. These are also available are past webinar recordings.

 

Coach Certifications required for Coaching specific sport/level:

 

References:

Wheelchair Basketball Canada. (n.d.). About the Sport. Retrieved from                                                               https://www.wheelchairbasketball.ca/the-sport/about-the-sport/

Helpful Resources:

News in Volleyball:

  • Student athlete, Hayley Hodson, shares importance of taking the proper precautions to avoid brain injuries, even in non-contact sports such as volleyball: Full story and news report HERE
  • Justin Lui, an openly gay elite volleyball player, shares his story of team support:

Fun Facts:

  • According to Frechette (n.d.), in gameplay, a volleyball can reach speeds up to 87 MPH.
  • On any given day, a volleyball athlete jumps around 300 times per game (Frechette, n.d.).
  • Frechette (n.d.), also stated that the longest volleyball game ever played was for 75 hours and 30 minutes, the game was so long because they were using the previous scoring method, only receiving a point on your serve.

Skills Spotlight:

  • The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) in volleyball are jumping, running, throwing.

However, passing, setting, hitting, serving, digging, and blocking are the more specific skills required for the sport.  

  • Some say volleyball is a very intense game of “don’t let the balloon hit the ground” and while they may have a point, the game of volleyball is so much more complex. Want to learn more? Check out the skill break downs here: https://prorecathlete.com/7-basic-volleyball-skills/
  • Need some speed and agility training ideas. This 2-minute video should help you.

Injury Prevention:

  • There are a variety of injuries that can occur while playing volleyball, such as jammed fingers and ankle and shoulder injuries, among others.
  • To mitigate injuries, ensure proper and thorough warmup and cool down, listen to your body, and consider ankle braces or taping techniques for extra support during game play or practice (Stop Sports Injuries, n.d.).

COVID-19 Tool Kit:

Check out Volleyball Canada’s extensive COVID-19 “return to play” guidelines and resources.

Coach Certifications required for Coaching specific sport/level:

References:

Frechette, T. (n.d.). 30 Fun and Interesting Facts About Volleyball. Athletic Lifts. Retrieved from https://athleticlift.com/fun-facts-about-volleyball/

Stop Sports Injuries (n.d.). Preventing Volleyball Injuries. American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/STOP/STOP/Prevent_Injuries/Volleyball_Injury_Prevention.aspx

Volleyball Canada (n.d.) Sitting Volleyball Program Info. Retrieved from https://volleyball.ca/en/sitting-volleyball-teams

Helpful Resources:

BC Soccer Association

The BC Soccer website keeps you up to date on all soccer specific matters.

Check out their podcast, online coach licensing information, and more.

Canada Soccer

Canada Soccer offers news, events, and even a “Fan Toolkit” to make it easier for fans to show support.

News in Soccer:

Canadian born, Alphonso Davies is being credited as an asset to the FC Byern Munich FIFA World Cup triumph in February. Davies has earned two Canadian Athlete of the Year Awards. check out his story here.  

To celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, MLS WORKS and Women @ MLS are presenting a speaker series to highlight women on the technical and sporting side of the league.

Check out the highlight video featuring women who have excelled in roles with the MLS and the broader soccer sphere.

Fun Facts:

The fastest red card was awarded to Keith Gillespie in 2007 after 0 seconds. He elbowed another player before a throw-in (Soccer Blade, 2020).

Only Canadians and Americans use the term “soccer” while the rest of the world refer to the game as “football” (Soccer Blade, 2020).

In Winter 2021, Katy Nesbitt was the first woman to referee a Major League Soccer championship match in professional men's sports in North America (mlssoccer.com).

Skills Spotlight:

The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) involved in soccer are kicking and running.

Other important skills are throwing, catching, and dodging.

Want to improve your power, speed, agility? Check out this video for drills you or your team can follow.

Power Soccer with Adaptive Sports Athletes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5A12baiB9s

Injury Prevention:

To mitigate injuries, it is recommended to go through a proper warm-up, abide by the heading guidelines, and make sure that you are playing with the correct size gear such as shin guards and cleats (Advanced Solutions International, n.d.).

According to Advanced Solutions International (n.d.), the current heading guidelines for individuals under the age of 11 is zero permitted per week. However, for ages 11-12, 25 headers are allowed per week. There is no limitation for ages 13 and up.

COVID-19 Tool Kit:

Coach Certifications required for Coaching specific sport/level:

Soccer Canada offers extensive insight to coaching pathways such as Pro Licencing and youth and senior performance streams with NCCP.

Check out this website for more info: https://canadasoccer.com/coach/

References:

Advanced Solutions International (n.d.). Preventing soccer injuries. Retrieved from https://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/STOP/Prevent_Injuries/Soccer_Injury_Prevention.aspx

Soccer Blade. (2020, October 28). Interesting and fun facts about soccer: 42 Essential FAQ’s. Retrieved from https://soccerblade.com/42-interesting-and-fun-facts-about-soccer/

Helpful Resources:

https://softball.ca

Softball Canada includes resources such as bat standards, program information, and a league finder for every level of play.

https://www.softball.bc.ca

Check out the Softball BC website that provides ample information for players, coaches, and umpires alike.  You will also learn about league championships, tournaments, and other valuable resources.

https://www.baseball.ca

Baseball Canada offers everything you need to know about baseball in Canada. Learn more about provincial associations, Canadians in the MLB (Major League Baseball), and more.

News in Softball/Baseball:

  • Sahara Tom, a 2nd year BPEC student recently accepted the role of Indigenous Long Term Athlete Development Consultant for Softball Canada. Sahara will be working closely with support partners Sport for Life and Aboriginal Sport Circle while developing a sport specific Indigenous Long-Term Player Development framework. Congrats Sahara!
  • Softball Canada is introducing a new initiative called the “Women of Softball Spotlight Series” which aims to encourage and lift up women and girls in the sport of softball. Check out the article HERE
  • Check out this New York Times article to see how each of the Major League Baseball teams plan to reintegrate fans safely into their stadiums.

Fun Facts:

  • The terms “fastpitch” and “softball” are used interchangeably.
  • Fastpitch was first introduced into the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • All About Fastpitch (2021, March 10), indicates that “[f]or every single one of the softball fastpitch games held in the 1996 Olympics, all tickets were completely sold out” (para. 5).
  • An official game baseball will have 108 stitches (Chapple, 2013, March 31).
  • For athletes that have visual impairments, beep baseball can be a great way to introduce inclusivity as players will play with “… sound emitting bases and balls, as well as audible pitchers and defensive spotters, are used so that individuals can play without any sight whatsoever” (USA Baseball, n.d.).
  • For more softball and baseball adaptations for inclusion, check out USA Baseball here.

Skills Spotlight:

The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) involved in softball and baseball are throwing, catching, running, and striking. Softball and baseball may seem like one in the same, but they are different in many ways and they both require their own unique set of skills.

Check out this “how to” video for coaching throwing and catching here.

The MLB Network partnered with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to introduce beep baseball.

Injury Prevention:

To alleviate injuries during game play, there is a variety of safety equipment used in both softball and baseball. Batting helmets and mouth guards are very common along with protective face masks, cups, and sliders (padding to protect knees and hips when diving or sliding).

COVID-19 Tool Kit:

Check out Softball Canada’s Return to Play guidelines as well as the Timbits Softball Modified Physical Distancing Activities

Coach Certifications required for Coaching specific sport/level:

Softball Canada outlines specific NCCP coaching pathways for community, competition, and instruction development

References:

All About Fastpitch (2021, March 10). 10 Fun facts you didn’t know about softball. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutfastpitch.com/10-fun-facts-about-softball/

USA Baseball (n.d.). Inclusive baseball tips. Retrieved from https://www.usabdevelops.com/USAB/Blog/Inclusive_Baseball_Tips.aspx

Do you have a favorite website, book, or resource that you don't see?

Email me, Shelby Gingrich, the SPSC Student Coaching Ambassador at dccoachingambassador2020@gmail.com. I’d love to check it out and add it to this space!
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