Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show

According to journalist David Epstein's research in his landmark book "The Sports Gene," there are people pre-disposed to certain types of activities based on genetics. However, does a pre-disposition to coaching exist in minor hockey? A conversation with Gregg Kennedy, whose movie night gets interrupted to examine the topic. (Note: Grassroots will take a short break, resuming on Aug. 6 with more great discussions.)Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

A conversation with Mark Elsenaar, president of Whitby Minor Hockey. What got him involved and what's it like overseeing one of Ontario's largest minor hockey associationsContact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

In the final part of 3, Rick Ladouceur and Richard dissect how to properly teaching individuals defensive play, employing the right combined technical skills.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

How to apply technical skills to the teaching of individual offensive tactics, the ones Rick Ladouceur says are the "sexy" ones and which the kids all are ready to learn. Part 2 of 3.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Teaching skills is tough enough without knowing how to effectively combine them to achieve a proper result. In this mini-clinic, Rick Ladouceur, who's taught skills and coached for years, explains the nuts and bolts of this challenging component of coaching minor hockey.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

For ten years, Rob Mann’s hockey journey has been on the upswing to where now he’s a bonafide pro. What got him there? How did minor, junior, and college hockey prepare him? What must he do to improve his game? Here’s a candid reflection on a young man’s route to professional sport.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

How does a 12-year old cope with his coach telling him he'll never achieve his dream of being a professional soccer player? Matt Caldaroni struggled with that issue for years and eventually did achieve his goal, though briefly. But the event led to him teaming with his brother Chris to create "Mind-Body Fusion," a company that helps young athletes develop the resiliency tools they need. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

Corey Lucas discovered that his experiences in junior, college and minor pro hockey actually shone a spotlight on his inability to cope with certain situations. Now a teacher and coach, he turned those experiences into a way to help other young players with their own challenges through his company "Mentally Charged."Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

What do Vivaldi and the teaching of checking have in common? Nothing at all. Still, a primer on how and when to properly teach checking skills is always a good idea. When accompanied by Signore Vivaldi's classic concertos, even better.Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com

You've got a team. Now you need a staff: assistant coaches, trainer, manager. Who do you get, why, and what are their roles in games and practices?Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.comX (Twitter):Richard - @berky544Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com