I am sitting at my computer after a MLK Hockey Tournament Weekend.  Yup, youth sport parents do not celebrate actual holidays, we have our kid's sport weekend and this one we were in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cool city!  Home of the University of Utah "Utes" and home of the Winter Olympics in 2002.

While a major type city the traffic of both people and automobiles was quite sparse and relaxing at the same time getting around the snow capped mountains and this city that sits in their valley.

The venues in which we played were incredible and still Olympic worthy.

Our "A" team from Stockton, California played "UP" into the Tier group "AA".  Although undefeated at this tournament with LEGIT "AA" competition we lost in the first round of the playoffs to a team that we had previously beaten earlier in the day, dashing our quest to bring home the hardware.

This being our second big tournament playing against tougher opponents I see a tendency developing on days we play more than one game.

I see out boys becoming GASSED in the second games and I wonder what I am doing wrong when recommending what they should be doing between games.

I understand at eleven, twelve and thirteen years of age the goal should still be about learning the game, having fun, and developing the social skills to further the enjoyment of Sports in it's entirety.  However, I can't get by the fact that as soon as they start counting a score of any kind, then I want to be on the side with MORE points at the end of the game than the side with less.

Yea, it's all fun and games until someone has to be declared a winner, which means someone has to be a loser, and I DON'T like  losing!!!

On my "To Do" list of recommendation for competition with multiple games in a single day already include suggestions of:

Re-feeding

Re-hydrating

Rest

Restoration

Things that are out of my control and these are things that do play a role but might not be thought about:

Travel Stress

Time of travel

Hotel Accommodations

Type of foods ingested between and before games

Types of beverage "kids" indulge in

Types of Activities between games (kids will be kids and are high energy for sure)

Overall environmental concerns.

Energy expenditure of previous game and ...

Individual "Free will".

I'm going  to address each of these factors over the course of the next few days as a way to make sure my son adheres to a better plan of attack for these types of weekends and we have THREE MORE this season.

As I am extracting more and more information from my son, Hunter as to his pro's and con's, his can do, and that's not going to bode well, I will unravel the feasibility of these factors.

I know for Hunter, he left it on the ice.  My guy gives it his all every time bringing his best to the game.

He always will ask "Dad, what did you rate my performance of that game?"  and I always give him TWO options...

Option 1-  Do you want my rating as your coach?

Option 2- Do you want my rating as your Dad?

 

Option 1 I handed Hunter an "8", a "7.5", and two "9"s.  He plays defense!  When our goalie is bored, he is doing his job.  When they SCORE???  Well...you see.

"He doesn't SCORE a lot of points, but when he's on the ice, neither does the other team".

 

Option 2??? you may wonder?????  Well...he's a "10" every game and is ready for the Hockey Hall of Fame!  Now lets get some ice cream!!!

Monday...MLK Day training:

Although I wasn't there, my TEAM and intern Logan Winn implemented the following:

Dead Lift: 2 pin pull for TWO heavy reps

Then- 5x10-@50% of the heaviest weight

 

RDL: 5x10 @ same 50% weight

 

45 degree Back Extension: 5x10

AirDyne Bike: 16 mins