In episode 28, returning guest Heather Mannix discusses the #1 reason kids play sports: to have FUN! This is also the number 1 reason kids drop out of sports. In this episode, we explore what kids find fun in sports and how we, as coaches, can encourage a more fun environment for better retention and player development.

For information on Fun Integration Theory: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201634/

USA Hockey Webinar with Dr. Amanda Visek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF4XGWO8Jro

Dr. Visek on X: @ajvisek
Heather Mannix on X: @Hmannix14

Follow us on X: USAHockeycoach

In episode 27, we talk about resiliency with Dr. Larry Lauer. Dr. Lauer is the Director of Mental Performance at United States Tennis Association Player Development. He has a history of working with USA Hockey's NTDP program and presenting at many USA Hockey events.

In this episode, we chat about...

-Is it trainable?

-The 3 pillars of resiliency

-How can we support our players

Compete Like a Champion Podcast: http://www.playerdevelopment.usta.com/podcasts/

USA Hockey Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZFSkETx0FY

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/larrylauer?lang=en

In episode 26, we sit down and chat with the Youth Olympic Coaching Staff to discuss the upcoming tournament. The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games are set to be played from Jan. 19 - Feb. 1 in Gangwon, South Korea.

From the Youth Olympic Coaching Staff, we chat with Head Coach Joe Bonnett (Player Development Manager, USA Hockey) and Assistant Coaches Matt Gilroy (Asst. Coach NTDP), Jason Guerriero (Asst. Coach Northeastern) and Dave Caruso (Columbus Blue Jackets)

In this episode, we chat about the coaching staff and their backgrounds in hockey, the difficulty in the selection process, how to manage a young team with high expectations, keeping the team in the moment, and much more.

Episodes are live on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Podcasts.

In episode 25, we return for the second installment of Coaches Corner, where we are chatting about a much-requested topic from parents and coaches, which is strategies for coaching kids with different learning needs.

The host of the podcast, Zachary Nowak, is a former Elementary Intervention Specialist who has worked for many years to support kids with mild to intensive learning needs.

Listen in as we chat about different ways we can support each individual kid on their learning journey.

Join the discussion on Twitter @USAHockeycoach

Reach out to Zack at [email protected]

For the 1 year anniversary episode, we are pleased to welcome Joe Bertagna. Joe has served in many capacities in hockey, from NCAA D1 goalie to NHL Goalie Coach and the longest-serving commissioner in college hockey.

In episode 24, we chat with Joe about his journey and how he got to this point. We also chat about the state of goalie coaching and where the future lies in encouraging creativity.

In episode 23 we are chatting with Ken Martel of USA Hockey about how to better develop on-ice awareness in our players. In this episode we answer a few of the following questions around this topic.

-What can we learn from the research?

-What do the best players do?

-What is scanning?

-How do we get our players to look around?

-What is next in the scanning world?

Follow us on Twitter at @USAHockeyCoach

In episode 22, we have Manager of Coaching Education Brent Seidel on to discuss why you should become a coach, what it takes to become a coach, and some frequently asked questions about coaching in USA Hockey.

Coaching Requirements: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification

For your CEP information: https://cepsearch.usahockey.com/

Find a Clinic: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics

Continuing Education: https://www.usahockey.com/coaching-continuingeducation

In episode 21 Zack has Steve Thompson back on the Podcast to talk about psychology in video game design and how we can use it to improve our practices. This is a long conversation, but an insightful one. Tune in and feel free to share your thoughts and ideas on Twitter/X @usahockeycoach

This episode is just Zack starting a new segment called "The Coaches Corner." In these segments, it will not be interview style as in previous episodes, but rather quick coaching hits that we can take to our current practices.

In this episode, Zack talks about teaching skating to allow for individuality, adaptability, and developing dynamic skaters. We will touch on...

-What is important for skaters to be able to do?

-How do we make skating fun?

-Practice design on and off the ice

-Incentivizing behaviors we want to see in our skaters

-Stealing from other sports and PE teachers

After listening, if you want to contact a Player Development Manager in your area to have them run a dynamic skating coaching course in your area, follow the link below.

https://www.usahockey.com/districtsandaffiliates

In episode 19, we chat with the USA 5 Nations Head Coach Scott Paluch. Not only is Scott the Head coach for the upcoming tournament, but he is also USA Hockey's Director of Player Development.

Listen in as we chat about Scott's youth hockey history, then dive into the 5 Nations tournament, his staff, the players on the team, and what we can expect from the tournament.

Follow the link below to check for the tournament schedule and streams: https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2023u17fivenations