The "OV" Hockey Method

For years The "OV" Hockey School has provided hockey players of all ages and abilities outstanding hockey training and instruction (Click Here to read about our History). Our staff members are passionate about your development as a hockey player and individual. For these reasons we have made it our mission to seek out and identify best practices to teach the game of hockey. Through our collective experience at the junior, university, and professional level, as well as decades of coaching and instructing experience in the United States, Canada, and Europe, we have designed a ‘Total Skills Development Training Model’. At The "OV" Hockey School, our primary responsibility is to ensure that we provide our young athletes an environment conducive to learning, skills development, and FUN. An environment with the very core of its mission centered around SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.

Experts from Hockey Canada compiled the following data with regard to a youth hockey (60-minute) practice and game.

These numbers clearly indicate that practice is where development takes place. If we extrapolate the above statistics, during a 20–game 20–practice season (1:1 game/practice ratio) the best player on the team only controls the puck for 2.67 minutes during the entire season. Conversely, during practice (entire year), EVERY player on the team would have the puck on his or her stick for 4 hours during the year. These numbers, coupled with the fact that there are too many youth hockey organizations with poor development models, unqualified coaches, and lack of focus on fundamental skills prompted "OV" Hockey to create a ‘Total Skills Development Training Model’. Our model is based on experience, scientific data, and results.

Our instructors are constantly on top of the changing trends in hockey. Through many years of experience, hard work, attention to the finest details, and a passion for the game, we have put together a curriculum specific to your age and skill level. The first half of every ice session is devoted to fundamental skill development (technical skills and individual tactics). By isolating specific movements, we break down these fundamentals creating a solid foundation for any hockey player, mite through pro. During the second half of every ice session the more tactical aspects of the game are covered. Initially, the focus is on more complex individual tactics, but as the week progresses, more in – depth team tactics and concepts are discussed.

• Focus on Fundamentals – Skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting are the foundation of hockey. Specifically skating – all other technical skills are dependent on a player’s ability to skate.
• Small Area Games – Enhance skill training through confined areas, spaces, and situations.
• European Training – Progressive drill sequences, overspeed and resistance training, functional exercises.
• Team Competitions – Competitive games and activities that challenge and push our students outside of their comfort zone.
• High Intensity Scrimmages – Apply concepts learned in controlled game situations and scrimmages.
• Dryland Training – We follow an Integrated Training Continuum focusing on stabilization, strength, and explosive power to properly train our athletes.  The progression, complexity, and speed of our off-ice training programs are dependent on the age and skill level of our participants. The "OV" Hockey School is proud to partner with Donskov Strength and Conditioning, Inc. enabling our team to deliver exceptional off-ice programs.
• Lectures - Qualified guest speakers and professionals who are experts in their field share their knowledge and experience with our participants.
• Repetition – Perfect practice make permanent and repetition is the mother of mastery.
• Qualified Staff – Click Here to see bios of all our staff members.
• Low Student/Instructor Ratio – Small group sizes allow us to effectively teach and motivate your son/daughter.
• FUN – We believe FUN is the most important component in any hockey player. All our camps provide our students a curriculum based on structure, competition, and fun!

Note: The progression, complexity, and speed of our practice plans are dependent on the age and skill level of our participants. Click Here to view sample practice plans of our on-ice camps.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe once said, “If you treat an individual as he is, he will stay on as he is, but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought and could be.” At The "OV" Hockey School, our primary responsibility is to ensure that we provide our young athletes an environment conducive to learning, skills development, and FUN. An environment with the very core of its mission centered around SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.

At The "OV" Hockey School, we strive to be effective teachers, role models, and communicators. We are passionate about your development. Click Here to view our Coaches Corner section with a feature article by one of our staff members. Additionally, we have provided resources to help educate our coaches, players, and parents in the hockey community.