I have never understood the concept of a Bag Skate for minor hockey.  I understand it to some capacity in Professional Hockey when dealing with adults, but I am unsure of the purpose or rationale of this technique when dealing with kids.  In minor hockey, I have seen this technique used to punish a team after a bad loss, a bad game, or when the team is not working hard in practice.
 
When working with older professional players I would say this technique may be effective, players at that age are more accountable and able to moderate themselves.   In minor hockey, I think, at times this discipline technique can actually increase the very factors you are trying to eradicate.
 
Children are naturally ego-centric, which means being a “team-player” is already a difficult concept for them.  If coaches are creating an atmosphere whereby players are being punished when they are not the offender than you are running the risk that you are breaking down the concept of team play.  Children will be very likely to become angry or sullen with a coach who they believe to be unfair. Children will be very likely to become angry or sullen with a teammate who they believe is the cause of their discomfort, which can lead to turning on each other.  Unless every single player had a bad game or acted inappropriately, what is the incentive for the good kid if they are being punished with the bad kids?  
 
In younger age groups, I would most likely discourage using a bag skate in any capacity.  In the older age groups, I would ask yourself to really reflect on why you are choosing this method. Anger and frustration may cause a spurt of adrenaline that causes a short-term spike in your teams playing ability, but over the season, are you really changing the behavior or attitude you were aiming for?
 
If you are using a bag skate because your players had a bad game, I think it is much more effective to ask yourself what variables contributed to the team’s lack of focus, drive or motivation.  Once you know why, you are in a much better position as leader of the team to teach them how to overcome their obstacles. Was there anyone on the team that played well or put forth effort, and if so, what message are you sending to them?  These players managed to continue to play well despite members of their team playing poorly, and you are now going to bag skate them?  What will that child learn and how will that child feel about his teammate?
 
When you are coaching, you are managing 15 players and 2 goalies, and that is what you want to keep your focus on.  If you are having difficulty in your practices, by all means have a child do a lap or two, but again, why would you make the whole team do laps because a few are not following your instruction.  Perhaps it might be better use of your time and you may accomplish far better results if you speak to that player and find out why they are doing poorly in practice.  Are they ill, are they not understanding the drill, are they not capable of executing the drill?  These answers will create the potential to develop definite answers and allow you to grow and develop your players. 
 
These are minor players who are learning and it’s your job to develop them. The fear of the bag skate is a time-honored tradition in hockey, and I get that, but if it isn’t creating your desired result, is it really worth it? 

​The Bullshits
 
 
What is this you ask?
 
While parents and players generally have a lot of negative statements to make at any given time, there are certain points in the season when your team may become infected with what I have termed “The Bullshits”. 
 
Your team is most vulnerable to The Bullshits when you are on a losing streak.  While it is difficult for any team to navigate a losing streak, The Bullshits can quickly turn a difficult situation into a dire situation.  The Bullshits are contagious and pervasive. 
 
The symptomology of The Bullshits is straight forward, basically everything and anything you are trying to achieve with your team is deemed….bullshit…
 
This Team is bullshit
The Refs are bullshit
The Coach is bullshit
My kid’s line is bullshit
The PP/PK line is bullshit
That system is bullshit
That drill is bullshit
This practice is bullshit
This    (insert anything here) is bullshit    
 
 
If your team has The Bullshits then you are losing control and your leadership is being questioned. It can be very difficult to gain back control and you will most likely require a multiple layer response.
 
First layer is your team as a whole.  Hold a team meeting and call a spade a spade, call the team out on their attitude and let them know this will no longer be tolerated and decide upon certain disciplines that will be given if their behavior continues.
 
Second layer is your Lettered Players. Part of being awarded Captain and Assistant Captains should be to develop leadership within the team.  Hold a meeting with your Lettered Players to advise your expectations for them on the ice, the bench, the dressing room and outside of the arena. Your intention during this meeting is to create a collaborative relationship.
 
Third layer is specific to individual players.  Hold an individual meeting with any player you know have been contributing the bullshit mentality.  Be specific about what you have witnessed or heard.  Be specific about what your expectations are for the future and what the consequences will be if the player continues their bullshit.
 
Fourth layer is a general parent meeting.  Just like your team meeting, call a spade a spade, call the parents out on their attitude.  If you are feeling brave, challenge parents to speak to their issues and address them as best you can.  Use this time to break down your current team objectives for the parents so they know where you are trying to take the team in their development.  With parents, it is always best to give them topics to discuss rather than letting them come up with their own.
 
Fifth layer if necessary is to hold a parent meeting with any specific parents you believe are excessively contributing to The Bullshits on your team.  Be direct and straight forward.  If possible address their concern(s) but also be sure to communicate your displeasure with their behaviour.  Depending on their concerns, this may be an opportunity to discuss any issues on or off the ice you are having with their child and how as parents they may be contributing the negative attitude of the team.  If The Bullshits have taken over your team, it can be very beneficial to redirect parental focus back toward their own child and what their child is expected to achieve in his next stage of development.    
 
Depending on how advanced The Bullshits are within your team, will determine how many layers you will need to deal with in order to get The Bullshits under control.  Make no mistake The Bullshits is a team destroyer and needs to be dealt with.

I think your hardest job as a coach is maintaining leadership. If you are a manager or supervisor in an office, you’re working with adult professionals.  If you are coaching Jr or Professional hockey, again, you are dealing with adults (or almost adults anyway).  As a minor hockey coach, you are coaching children.
 
Earning an adult’s respect is often easier, adults will respect your knowledge, your skills and your experience, children, not so much.  It’s much harder for you to gain and maintain their trust and respect.
 
One of your biggest obstacles is finding that balance between being an authority figure while making sure your team is having fun.  Coaches closer to Novice need more time spent on being a positive fun adult in their player’s lives.  Teams closer to Midget need less fun and more authority.  If you coach a team for more than one year then as your players age, your coaching style will need to change with them, which makes it more challenging for you in trying to find your balance.
 
Regardless of your age group you will need to find your positional middle ground. If you miss this mark then your team may develop difficulties.
 
If your team is goofing around in practice, kids are joking with each other when they take a knee or while you are talking.  If your dressing room is a scene from Home Alone then you have probably leaned too far on the “fun” side.  Your players see you as a playmate rather than an authority figure.
 
If your team is avoiding direct eye contact, kids are not kibitzing with each other, your dressing room is quiet and reserved, your team is standing around in military precision, then you have probably become an overbearing scary figure in their lives.
 
Remember coaching minor hockey is about…..minors, and minor hockey is about developing, making errors, and learning not only to become excellent hockey players but also about becoming excellent adults. 

Why is the single most important question you can ask yourself as a Coach.  More than any other concept or topic, if you learn nothing else from this site, learn the simple but highly impactful technique of why.
 
Ask yourself “why”…why are you doing everything you do as a Coach.
 
Why?  Did you pick each and every player on your team?  What do you believe each player brings to your team?
 
Why? Are you choosing those specific drills for practice?  What do you want your players to learn and how do you want them to execute your drills in a game?
 
Why? Are you choosing those specific players for your PK and PP lines?  What specific qualities do these players possess over your other players?
 
Why? Are you saying that to your players?  Think of your pre/post game speeches, what are you developing or inspiring in your players, what was the point of your comments?
 
By consistently reflecting on why you are making the decision you are making, what you are doing and what you are saying, you will become a much more effective communicator and leader with your team.
 
Knowing the reasons you are doing what you are doing will also create a communication strategy for you to use with your parent and player group.   By communicating your whys, your players and their parents will have a better understanding of what your expectations are and allow you a clearer platform for corrections and for building a more collaborative relationship.
 
Remember that Minor Hockey is developmental hockey, these are kids not professionals, do not assume they know the right thing to do or that their personal expectations are in-line with yours.  When you reflect on why you are doing what you are doing and communicate this to your team you will have created a communication flow that is easier for your players to follow, a platform in which you can direct development, a foundation for discipline and reward, and created greater buy-in from both your parents and players.