Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.

Coaches Corner #11

with Springfield Falcon's Asst. Coach Phil Russell

The question for today's Coaches Corner goes "How do you keep the players focused through the Holiday Season?" I would like to answer this by saying that todays hockey players are elite athletes that are doing something on a daily basis to reach the next level.

The Birds of Prey will have the 17th,18th & 19th off and return to practice the 20th, 21st& 22nd for a game at Providence on the 23rd. The 24th and Christmas Day are off before skating on Boxing Day in the afternoon to prepare for the 27th against Providence and the 28th in Bridgeport. The year comes to an end with Manchester at home on the 30th and an afternoon game in Portland on the 31st. The New Year's first game will be a road trip to Albany on the 4th. Going back to the original question, "How do you keep the players focused through the Holiday Season". The coaches in Springfield take this time of year as a great opportunity to keep things fresh. I know my wife is a school teacher and she has 30+ distinctly different individuals with different attention levels. The same thing is true with the Falcons, some guys get things quicker than others. Guys that get it the quickest have the best chance to get to the show. Some guys have the attitude that Christmas is still just another day at the office and will make sacrifices for the good of the team, others may have a less disciplined attitude.

They say that repetition leads to retention but it also leads to boredom, so as a staff we try to mix it up and work hard while having fun. Yes, there are many distractions at Christmas but it is also a wonderful time of the year that should be enjoyed. I have mentioned before that gratitude and acceptance is a great way of looking at things and this especially applies through the Holidays. The Springfield Falcons are growing everyday, including the Holidays. Come down and see us and have a very happy and safe Holiday Season.