Today was 'the day after', body felt well used. Lucky it was raining so that, even had I wanted to, I couldn't break my resolution to have a skate-free day. I know my body appreciated the break. With the change in weather (cooler, wetter, with moments of warm humidity between the cool periods) and the tiredness, physical stress (ie training) could easily lead to illness. It was like this the day after my first late Sunday ice training session (starting at 10pm). Next time I'll be even more prepared. Know thyself.
It was a bit funny last night. Out of fifty skaters plus coaches I might have been the oldest on the ice. Maybe a third were truly of the next generation to me. No-one seemed to have an issue with this (including me). I found myself happily chatting away with my fellows whether 17 year old bantams hanging out to turn 18, twenty something year old apprentices, 30 something year old goalies. But, on reflection and through the prism of my general lassitude, I can see how there might have been a few differences.
Considering I learned the lesson of COMPETE when 17 (my last game of school footy) and never really lost it from that time once the battle was truly joined (ie I 'engaged'), my style last night (see previous post) might appear a bit hesitant/stand-offish. Most obvious in the battles, when tended to look for the free ice or the interception point, leave the board to my partner, etc, but evident elsewhere also (eg. not pursue the puck to the bitter end in the full ice pairs, choosing to skate on rather than chase down the errant pass in the triplets, etc). Especially weird when think that the aim was to display oneself before the coaches and stand out somehow (amongst fifty players!).
At times I was aware of the coaches watching through a viewing window onto the ice, had few doubts that I registered on them by my age, beard and Oilers sweater if not my hockey ability, don't think it affected my on-ice decisions at all. Maybe I should have let it do so?
The draft is such a challenge. Not that it was impossible to do (I could at least understand and tolerably perform the various drills albeit not as a star), but the challenge of knowing one might be lacking (and probably so, according to the criteria most likely to be judged by) was not disincentive enough to turn me away. In this case, fear of failure didn't really stack up against the risk of not having a go.
Even at this point, though, well worth the effort. From my perspective, I backed myself by putting my body and my ego on the line. So all my effort is not just puffery. That's comforting to know. And, perhaps less egotistically, I got to see the level on display that I will have to aspire towards over the coming year if am to be successful at whatever the next opportunity is that comes my way.
Afterall, at 47 it's not the time to apply the brakes!
Fridge
Monday, 17 March 2014
Sunday Skate and Tryouts
After last night's encounter in Gawler it was back to the ice today, twice in six hours! First, I met up with B down there and we had a good hour and a half before the public session closed. It was great watching him slot himself in to the community of the ice, amongst all the sunday afternoon skaters - 'at home', respectful and enjoying himself as boys should. Self regulating also, which made my day easier lol!
I just played around with finding my edges again, check the first stride of acceleration, a bit of backwards for the fun of it, make sure can still stop on ice both ways, transitions smoother than before with all the inline time. Had to pull myself back a couple of times after a fast lap, remind myself that the whole point of this skate today was not to condition myself to the ice (or push the envelope at risk of big black bruises again), but rather to just get my muscles thinking 'ice' prior to the night's tryout session.
Me and B had a great time and I think we both achieved our goals. Mission success.
A quick hamburger on the way home, a little stuffing around with minor household tasks and being semi-social, then it was get the full body armour out, pack all the gear in its old kit bag, retape the stick and head back to the Ice Arena for C Grade tryouts (premier winter league, if it happens).
Structure was pretty simple, complicated only by the fact that about fifty people turned up. At least that made the cost only $10 for the 70 mins. I guess it was also a demonstration of support for the concept of a 'premier c grade (development) league', an idea which I believe is still not approved by the powers that be and is facing scepticism verging on opposition at the board level for Ice Hockey SA. That's what I hear, anyway. Good people on both sides, I hope it gets worked out.
On a full ice passing-shoot-backcheck drill in triplets I didn't shine at all, my two runs both times falling foul of some pretty poor passing behind me. This drill morphed into two on twos, going each way on the ice. The 'St Louis Drill', or some such. Disorganisation in the lines disrupted first couple run throughs, but I think my pairing did okay on its final shot/backcheck sections. Things were beginning to look up, when...
In a two on one passing game (piggy in the middle) I got totally outshone by my two companions. I certainly got worked out being piggy in the middle more than my share. One of the main coaches took me aside in the next 1 on 1 drill of 'keepy off', showed me a couple basics of puck protection, and of stealing it. In the 1 on 1 I then did with the chaps from the previous drill, I actually managed to keep it off them a fair bit, and managed to steal it a couple times. Though obviously still learning, so must have been improvement.
Then, the battle drills. The first of which had two teams of two, battling in front of a goal. A couple very long shifts, but accounted reasonably well for myself (almost even on points on the boards, couple blocked shots, a good screening and a handful of (weak) shots, use of backhand, a couple passes. And a clash on the boards against a reasonably ferocious opponent bigger and stronger than me. Who knew what he was doing (I make it up as I go still). Surprisingly I managed to still prevent him doing what he wanted for long enough that they got no advantage. I think that pairings I was in were scored against twice, and we got that many goals ourselves. There were probably that many again of tied 0-0 battles, one of which was a very long shift. All in all, I think this drill was a 'win' for me.
Finally, a mini-shinny of four on four across the ice. I don't think I particularly shone, but I was still going reasonably strong and had more shifts left in me. I definitely acted as a bit of a brake on their breakout a few times, and nullified a couple of their 'point' players. Never got a chance to carry the puck or do anything significant with it, however. A 'draw' for this one?
Why do I keep scoring myself in the above account? It is because the whole session was a tryout, viewed by all the coaching staff in the C Grade coaching group. We were being assessed and measured while we went through all the above. They (the coaches/managers) will be horsetrading over the next couple weeks, viewing the prospects and taking their picks until their teams are full. There were almost enough there tonight to fill the proposed league already. Scary to think of that many again coming to future sessions, or having been to the B Grade Tryouts and thus already assessed. I have no idea if I'll make the cut, but I must still be in the zone to make it possible judging by what I saw tonight.
Especially if I don't take the foot out of the skate (off the accelerator) in terms of training and development over the next week or two, in the hope that I can make a promised yet-to-be-scheduled third tryout date (tonight was the first, I can't make the second as it clashes with Vikings finals).
And now, sweet thing, too bed! It's been a big day.
I just played around with finding my edges again, check the first stride of acceleration, a bit of backwards for the fun of it, make sure can still stop on ice both ways, transitions smoother than before with all the inline time. Had to pull myself back a couple of times after a fast lap, remind myself that the whole point of this skate today was not to condition myself to the ice (or push the envelope at risk of big black bruises again), but rather to just get my muscles thinking 'ice' prior to the night's tryout session.
Me and B had a great time and I think we both achieved our goals. Mission success.
A quick hamburger on the way home, a little stuffing around with minor household tasks and being semi-social, then it was get the full body armour out, pack all the gear in its old kit bag, retape the stick and head back to the Ice Arena for C Grade tryouts (premier winter league, if it happens).
Structure was pretty simple, complicated only by the fact that about fifty people turned up. At least that made the cost only $10 for the 70 mins. I guess it was also a demonstration of support for the concept of a 'premier c grade (development) league', an idea which I believe is still not approved by the powers that be and is facing scepticism verging on opposition at the board level for Ice Hockey SA. That's what I hear, anyway. Good people on both sides, I hope it gets worked out.
On a full ice passing-shoot-backcheck drill in triplets I didn't shine at all, my two runs both times falling foul of some pretty poor passing behind me. This drill morphed into two on twos, going each way on the ice. The 'St Louis Drill', or some such. Disorganisation in the lines disrupted first couple run throughs, but I think my pairing did okay on its final shot/backcheck sections. Things were beginning to look up, when...
In a two on one passing game (piggy in the middle) I got totally outshone by my two companions. I certainly got worked out being piggy in the middle more than my share. One of the main coaches took me aside in the next 1 on 1 drill of 'keepy off', showed me a couple basics of puck protection, and of stealing it. In the 1 on 1 I then did with the chaps from the previous drill, I actually managed to keep it off them a fair bit, and managed to steal it a couple times. Though obviously still learning, so must have been improvement.
Then, the battle drills. The first of which had two teams of two, battling in front of a goal. A couple very long shifts, but accounted reasonably well for myself (almost even on points on the boards, couple blocked shots, a good screening and a handful of (weak) shots, use of backhand, a couple passes. And a clash on the boards against a reasonably ferocious opponent bigger and stronger than me. Who knew what he was doing (I make it up as I go still). Surprisingly I managed to still prevent him doing what he wanted for long enough that they got no advantage. I think that pairings I was in were scored against twice, and we got that many goals ourselves. There were probably that many again of tied 0-0 battles, one of which was a very long shift. All in all, I think this drill was a 'win' for me.
Finally, a mini-shinny of four on four across the ice. I don't think I particularly shone, but I was still going reasonably strong and had more shifts left in me. I definitely acted as a bit of a brake on their breakout a few times, and nullified a couple of their 'point' players. Never got a chance to carry the puck or do anything significant with it, however. A 'draw' for this one?
Why do I keep scoring myself in the above account? It is because the whole session was a tryout, viewed by all the coaching staff in the C Grade coaching group. We were being assessed and measured while we went through all the above. They (the coaches/managers) will be horsetrading over the next couple weeks, viewing the prospects and taking their picks until their teams are full. There were almost enough there tonight to fill the proposed league already. Scary to think of that many again coming to future sessions, or having been to the B Grade Tryouts and thus already assessed. I have no idea if I'll make the cut, but I must still be in the zone to make it possible judging by what I saw tonight.
Especially if I don't take the foot out of the skate (off the accelerator) in terms of training and development over the next week or two, in the hope that I can make a promised yet-to-be-scheduled third tryout date (tonight was the first, I can't make the second as it clashes with Vikings finals).
And now, sweet thing, too bed! It's been a big day.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
Game Day: Rockers defeat Wheelers 5-4
A tough final game of the regular season, prelude to the first Semi Final and probably the Grand Final. Last time we met we won 3-1. Coming into tonight's game we were sitting 1 and 2 on the table. Positions remain unchanged at the end, with the Wheelers as minor premiers.
I was on rink about half the game, split into shorter shifts than in past. Certainly was glad for that at the end of the game as I still had legs. Although I scored no points I was on for 2 of ours and played a significant role in one of them ('shepherding' our carrier, peeling off and screening the goalie as the puck went by). I put about three shots on goal. I was on rink for one of their goals.
There were a lot of 'hits' in the game for a non-checking sport. I think I ended up on the floor three times, taking out my opponent each time in the process (twice on the forecheck and once on the back). I came perilously close to being called for hooking, and was slashed a number of times (including by their goalie). One of my collisions was with a young lass (bigger than me) and we both went down moderately hard. I was worried about her knee, but after the initial shock I think she was fine. She promised me she'd ice it tonight if it was stiff when she got home.
The other major collision was near the end of the game against their star player. He had been cutting us apart for the whole game to that point - relying on his superior ability to stop and turn, deke, and pick up the puck at speed from the boards. I worked out a few strategies to counter him once I figured out that he outshone our best skater, put them into play on my last couple shifts. The crunch moment came on the boards when I matched his pace on the inside of the curve as we raced to the puck against the board. I was able to stop him getting it out by jamming my stick in, followed with my body to stop him flicking it inside. He slammed into me and I had to let my stick go or risk him going over badly. As it was, we both went down and he took longer to get up than me. The next time we met he was a little less cavalier in his approach and that made all the difference.
We were a little unfortunate to lose, the puck at one point spinning on the goal line but refusing to cross it entirely for an eternity that lasted a couple seconds, a bad rebound off the back board catching our goalie's skate and rolling in, and a dodgy penalty awarded against us that could easily have gone the other way (they scored in the ensuing powerplay).
The prime value of this game was psychological and I think we came out slightly ahead, with a suitably small chip on our shoulder due the puck god's frowning upon us. They certainly had more bruises than we did by the end. Next week we meet again in the semifinal. The big factor will be that they won't have their playmaker. Which, combined with the psychological aspect, probably tips us ahead of them leading into the game.
And it gives me two weeks to work out some counter skating tactics when we likely bump into them again in the grand final. I need to work on my stop/accelerate moves so I can match the playmaker. Looking forward to it.
My season stats: 3-1-1 G3 A1 P4 +5
I was on rink about half the game, split into shorter shifts than in past. Certainly was glad for that at the end of the game as I still had legs. Although I scored no points I was on for 2 of ours and played a significant role in one of them ('shepherding' our carrier, peeling off and screening the goalie as the puck went by). I put about three shots on goal. I was on rink for one of their goals.
There were a lot of 'hits' in the game for a non-checking sport. I think I ended up on the floor three times, taking out my opponent each time in the process (twice on the forecheck and once on the back). I came perilously close to being called for hooking, and was slashed a number of times (including by their goalie). One of my collisions was with a young lass (bigger than me) and we both went down moderately hard. I was worried about her knee, but after the initial shock I think she was fine. She promised me she'd ice it tonight if it was stiff when she got home.
The other major collision was near the end of the game against their star player. He had been cutting us apart for the whole game to that point - relying on his superior ability to stop and turn, deke, and pick up the puck at speed from the boards. I worked out a few strategies to counter him once I figured out that he outshone our best skater, put them into play on my last couple shifts. The crunch moment came on the boards when I matched his pace on the inside of the curve as we raced to the puck against the board. I was able to stop him getting it out by jamming my stick in, followed with my body to stop him flicking it inside. He slammed into me and I had to let my stick go or risk him going over badly. As it was, we both went down and he took longer to get up than me. The next time we met he was a little less cavalier in his approach and that made all the difference.
We were a little unfortunate to lose, the puck at one point spinning on the goal line but refusing to cross it entirely for an eternity that lasted a couple seconds, a bad rebound off the back board catching our goalie's skate and rolling in, and a dodgy penalty awarded against us that could easily have gone the other way (they scored in the ensuing powerplay).
The prime value of this game was psychological and I think we came out slightly ahead, with a suitably small chip on our shoulder due the puck god's frowning upon us. They certainly had more bruises than we did by the end. Next week we meet again in the semifinal. The big factor will be that they won't have their playmaker. Which, combined with the psychological aspect, probably tips us ahead of them leading into the game.
And it gives me two weeks to work out some counter skating tactics when we likely bump into them again in the grand final. I need to work on my stop/accelerate moves so I can match the playmaker. Looking forward to it.
My season stats: 3-1-1 G3 A1 P4 +5
Friday, 14 March 2014
Personal Training & 'Trust the Government'
Another mild early autumn evening, another puck'n'stick session at the primary school.
The demolition of half the old playground continues apace, with most but not all of the dismantled equipment and the dissembled shed now gone, the ground all leveled out. The temporary fenceline has been expanded, now one must 'walk' one's skates around the edge of the well grassed oval to get to the netball court rather than use a pathway.
Mildly to my surprise, I found that tomorrow's South Australian election did not disrupt my ability to skate this evening. It seems that the election site is on the basketball court (in the centre of all the buildings, (the netball court is on the edge furthest away from the front entrance and staff carpark)). With little prospect of eager voters approaching the booth from the netball side of the school (due the temporary fence blocking access to gates and road) I had the court to myself again.
I spent almost an hour continuously on the move, only two drinks breaks of about two minutes and two of less. Almost no 'skating warmup drills' to begin with - contented myself with doing most if not all of the basic moves nice and slowly with stick in hand as I did my routine visual 'sweep' of the court surface for small pebbles, twigs, bark, etc. I used my stick to sweep what few items there are out of the playing area. Good low speed agility training in its own right, this process.
I then did five laps each way around the court carrying a puck on my backhand. Or, I tried to. I very rarely got past half way before losing the puck, generally by dropping off behind. Each time, I looped back to collect the puck and set off in the opposite direction. Try try try again. Out of curiosity I then did a lap each way at speed with puck on my forehand - no issues at all. Finished this portion of drill by using the more cognitively challenging method of backhand (tuck the top hand under the right armpit rather than leave it on its own side). Much more controlled.
Second drill (not counting the agility sweep) was random weaving around a 'course' defined by the two centre circles marked on the court and three spare pucks scattered close but not too close. I spent a few minutes ducking and weaving around with no particular aim in mind except to not repeat myself and keep moving. Seemed to do reasonably well not losing the puck with my slaloming around and was shifting it between forehand and backhand quite well.
Third period, tried reasonable speed rushes up the length of the court on the wing and then swept across the top of the slot towards the centre, culminating the maneuver with a shot. Sometimes, a bit of duck and weave with the puck on the rush up the wing, cut across with puck on either forehand or backhand and shoot (all from the same wing though, as I didn't want a rebound to angle off under the temporary fence into the construction site). Wristshot and snapshot, concentrate upon pressure and flex on stick when the wrist shot is used. Didn't hit the target at all from the distance of the netball circle or greater. Progressively more Tings the closer I was when I took my shot. Hit it with both forehand and backhand. Chased in for the rebound (much more difficult if had 'snapped' the stick (used the stick's flex to increase power of the strike)). On one noteable occasion, Tinged the target with two shots in a row!
Finally, cooled off by casually skating randomly backwards while I finished off my water bottle.
Sun set, one of the election organisers entered my domain, surveying the construction site and calculating its effect upon traffic at 'her' booth. I had a short yarn with her (have a usually brief chat with people more nights than not when I go to the school). She didn't seem too phased by anything. My final comment was to the effect that I'd been pleasantly surprised that I could 'play' on my rink the eve before the election, but that I'd have to make 'my sacrifice for democracy' the next day. She thought about it a moment, gave a half grin as she departed saying, 'I guess so.'
It was only after I sweated up the hill to home that I realised I was wearing perhaps my equal favourite canadian tee shirt. I bought it in Vancouver just about two years ago. It is white with a picture profile of a native chieftain and the words, 'Trust the Government'.
Irony on irony, indeed!
The demolition of half the old playground continues apace, with most but not all of the dismantled equipment and the dissembled shed now gone, the ground all leveled out. The temporary fenceline has been expanded, now one must 'walk' one's skates around the edge of the well grassed oval to get to the netball court rather than use a pathway.
Mildly to my surprise, I found that tomorrow's South Australian election did not disrupt my ability to skate this evening. It seems that the election site is on the basketball court (in the centre of all the buildings, (the netball court is on the edge furthest away from the front entrance and staff carpark)). With little prospect of eager voters approaching the booth from the netball side of the school (due the temporary fence blocking access to gates and road) I had the court to myself again.
I spent almost an hour continuously on the move, only two drinks breaks of about two minutes and two of less. Almost no 'skating warmup drills' to begin with - contented myself with doing most if not all of the basic moves nice and slowly with stick in hand as I did my routine visual 'sweep' of the court surface for small pebbles, twigs, bark, etc. I used my stick to sweep what few items there are out of the playing area. Good low speed agility training in its own right, this process.
I then did five laps each way around the court carrying a puck on my backhand. Or, I tried to. I very rarely got past half way before losing the puck, generally by dropping off behind. Each time, I looped back to collect the puck and set off in the opposite direction. Try try try again. Out of curiosity I then did a lap each way at speed with puck on my forehand - no issues at all. Finished this portion of drill by using the more cognitively challenging method of backhand (tuck the top hand under the right armpit rather than leave it on its own side). Much more controlled.
Second drill (not counting the agility sweep) was random weaving around a 'course' defined by the two centre circles marked on the court and three spare pucks scattered close but not too close. I spent a few minutes ducking and weaving around with no particular aim in mind except to not repeat myself and keep moving. Seemed to do reasonably well not losing the puck with my slaloming around and was shifting it between forehand and backhand quite well.
Third period, tried reasonable speed rushes up the length of the court on the wing and then swept across the top of the slot towards the centre, culminating the maneuver with a shot. Sometimes, a bit of duck and weave with the puck on the rush up the wing, cut across with puck on either forehand or backhand and shoot (all from the same wing though, as I didn't want a rebound to angle off under the temporary fence into the construction site). Wristshot and snapshot, concentrate upon pressure and flex on stick when the wrist shot is used. Didn't hit the target at all from the distance of the netball circle or greater. Progressively more Tings the closer I was when I took my shot. Hit it with both forehand and backhand. Chased in for the rebound (much more difficult if had 'snapped' the stick (used the stick's flex to increase power of the strike)). On one noteable occasion, Tinged the target with two shots in a row!
Finally, cooled off by casually skating randomly backwards while I finished off my water bottle.
Sun set, one of the election organisers entered my domain, surveying the construction site and calculating its effect upon traffic at 'her' booth. I had a short yarn with her (have a usually brief chat with people more nights than not when I go to the school). She didn't seem too phased by anything. My final comment was to the effect that I'd been pleasantly surprised that I could 'play' on my rink the eve before the election, but that I'd have to make 'my sacrifice for democracy' the next day. She thought about it a moment, gave a half grin as she departed saying, 'I guess so.'
It was only after I sweated up the hill to home that I realised I was wearing perhaps my equal favourite canadian tee shirt. I bought it in Vancouver just about two years ago. It is white with a picture profile of a native chieftain and the words, 'Trust the Government'.
Irony on irony, indeed!
Personal Training, evening at school
This evening I spent an hour down the local schoolyard, inline with stick in gloved hand and a few pucks to chase around on the netball court. I freeformed through a range of 'drills' focused on; transitions (skating only); movement while protecting the puck (particularly on the backhand around corners both ways, and at speed on the forehand - retaining the puck on the end of the stick despite all the movement vectors and forces, controlling it by a combination of angles along all three axes at point of contatct, dekes, etc - figure eights with puck on either side, more complex patterns (eg. three locii)); shooting (putting in play the cut-across-then-shoot move I was introduced to last night, both ways, perhaps to conclude the three locii carry of the previous drill); passing (short snaps during skate maneuvers, at various ranges, to hit another of the pucks lying around the court, continue skating to collect another puck, move and 'pass', etc); saucer pass (randomly trying to lift pucks up court with some degree of control (a saucer pass is used to lift the puck off the ice between stick and aiming point. It need not go higher than the object you are passing over (eg. opponent's stick)). All up, about an hour if include the skate there and back.
Pleasingly, I hit my nominal targets a lot more than expected in the passing game. Also, hit the pole holding up the netball goal on several occasions (with a nice, ringing 'ting' sound effect each time) when was using it as the target for my shooting drill. Of note, the last session I had concentrated on stick/puck was on Saturday when, with many more shots, I don't think I hit the pole once. Again tonight, I used my backhand to effect. Getting easier. Also starting to deke the puck as a means of controlling it's vector relative to mine when cornering at speed. All good signs.
As always, had raised quite a sweat as I pushed myself up the hill towards home beneath a twilit swirl of rose tint clouds in the darkening sky above.
My session tonight was much more 'freeform' than it has been for a couple of weeks. Tonight, I de-emphasised the initial skating drills (transitions, inside and outside edge corners, figure eight crossovers, forwards/backwards, transitions on the loop). I didn't do the acceleration and lateral movement aspects at all, and had finished this 'warm up' in less than half the time I usually would take. For stick and puck, I was making it up as I went along. Or so it seemed.
Had a breather when I needed one and/or a bit of water. Drank almost a litre in the hour.
There was an initial shock upon seeing that the playground which used to adjoin the netball court being prepared for something else. The trees, gone. The shed, gone. The pipes and regular play equipment, monkey bars, slippery dips, etc, lies dismantled in piles. The bark is scraped up into gigantic piles. A temporary fence surrounds the lot.
Tomorrow, probably won't be able to get into the school due elections occuring on Saturday. For the same reason, unlikely to be able to on Saturday either (perhaps not a bad thing, as that will only be for a morning skate before the game that night). So maybe tonight was my last chance to get stick and puck in before the game / tryout. I know it'll make a difference to my game. Let's hope it will be enough.
Tomorrow, emphasis will switch to game play and skating again.
Pleasingly, I hit my nominal targets a lot more than expected in the passing game. Also, hit the pole holding up the netball goal on several occasions (with a nice, ringing 'ting' sound effect each time) when was using it as the target for my shooting drill. Of note, the last session I had concentrated on stick/puck was on Saturday when, with many more shots, I don't think I hit the pole once. Again tonight, I used my backhand to effect. Getting easier. Also starting to deke the puck as a means of controlling it's vector relative to mine when cornering at speed. All good signs.
As always, had raised quite a sweat as I pushed myself up the hill towards home beneath a twilit swirl of rose tint clouds in the darkening sky above.
My session tonight was much more 'freeform' than it has been for a couple of weeks. Tonight, I de-emphasised the initial skating drills (transitions, inside and outside edge corners, figure eight crossovers, forwards/backwards, transitions on the loop). I didn't do the acceleration and lateral movement aspects at all, and had finished this 'warm up' in less than half the time I usually would take. For stick and puck, I was making it up as I went along. Or so it seemed.
Had a breather when I needed one and/or a bit of water. Drank almost a litre in the hour.
There was an initial shock upon seeing that the playground which used to adjoin the netball court being prepared for something else. The trees, gone. The shed, gone. The pipes and regular play equipment, monkey bars, slippery dips, etc, lies dismantled in piles. The bark is scraped up into gigantic piles. A temporary fence surrounds the lot.
Tomorrow, probably won't be able to get into the school due elections occuring on Saturday. For the same reason, unlikely to be able to on Saturday either (perhaps not a bad thing, as that will only be for a morning skate before the game that night). So maybe tonight was my last chance to get stick and puck in before the game / tryout. I know it'll make a difference to my game. Let's hope it will be enough.
Tomorrow, emphasis will switch to game play and skating again.
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Vikings Training and Thanks!
Being a Wednesday, this evening was North Vikings C/B- grades' training session. An hour coached by a guy called Peter who knows his stuff and plays A Grade (and I think was once serious in ice terms), with a fair degree of puck 'n' stick, tactics and teamwork. About 20 trainees.
First drill, I missed because I got there a bit late (not uncommon). I think that it was carry a puck up the rink with a lot of turns along the way. Second drill, basic shooting (announced as being to 'warm up the goalies') from a ring around the goals (just like at the start of a game). Third drill, basic shoot 'n' scoot - skate down the wing and then cut into and across the goal front with a shot. Forehand and backhand sides. Fourth drill, basic skate (skate up the rink around the cones in slalom style - concentrating on the cornering itself) and then do it with a puck. An 'intermission' style with about three breaks for 'grab a drink' and one of a couple minutes 'free time' (shooter, skater, dekers, and carriers (me) got to do what they want), and, finally, BATTLE (teams of five or so start in opposite corners, skate up the wings and around the goal at other end of rink then race against the opposing team coming from the other end to the puck in the middle, and then try and get a goal). Pretty tiring, but a great blast to finish off with. Good pedagogy too.
For some reason I seemed to have a high percentage of backhand shots/carries in what I did tonight, (including a sweet goal in the third drill). Perhaps a result of the drills I did on my own on Saturday morning? Interesting, therefore, that the trait didn't manifest itself in the game on Saturday night. That says something that I have learned the hard way earlier - if it requires thinking about (as is the case when you are learning something) then there just isn't time during a game to do it. Simple.
Speaking of time and games, another interesting observation: does the proportion of skill time to 'battle' time at pretty well all the training sessions I've been to over the past year (on ice and inline with almost a dozen different trainers) bear any relation to the proportion of non-game time to game time a hockey player must somehow maintain over time? Roughly, 4 or 5 to 1? I think they kind-of do, but the numbers are far more extreme when you add in all the private practice. At least, for me!
Then it was the long drive home. With plenty of time to think about my development as a player (another topic!). With quite an operative slant, however, because I've decided to try out on Sunday evening (the only one of several dates that I'll be able to make before season starts on 30 March, assuming I make the cut). But even the experience of making the commitment to try out is an interesting one, as you've probably gathered if you have read the post that proceeds this one.
Between now and Sunday I have probably fine weather. Which equals a couple evenings to drill at the school or tour down the river, a Saturday morning inline skate before an evening top-of-the-ladder game, a Sunday afternoon session on the ice with the boys, and then a 4 hour hiatus before returning to the Ice Arena for an hour of tryouts.
Which is a fair bit of skating time, but not too much. If I look after myself in the meantime. More on that later.
For now, Thanks Nancy, for going along with my drive! As well as everybody else...
First drill, I missed because I got there a bit late (not uncommon). I think that it was carry a puck up the rink with a lot of turns along the way. Second drill, basic shooting (announced as being to 'warm up the goalies') from a ring around the goals (just like at the start of a game). Third drill, basic shoot 'n' scoot - skate down the wing and then cut into and across the goal front with a shot. Forehand and backhand sides. Fourth drill, basic skate (skate up the rink around the cones in slalom style - concentrating on the cornering itself) and then do it with a puck. An 'intermission' style with about three breaks for 'grab a drink' and one of a couple minutes 'free time' (shooter, skater, dekers, and carriers (me) got to do what they want), and, finally, BATTLE (teams of five or so start in opposite corners, skate up the wings and around the goal at other end of rink then race against the opposing team coming from the other end to the puck in the middle, and then try and get a goal). Pretty tiring, but a great blast to finish off with. Good pedagogy too.
For some reason I seemed to have a high percentage of backhand shots/carries in what I did tonight, (including a sweet goal in the third drill). Perhaps a result of the drills I did on my own on Saturday morning? Interesting, therefore, that the trait didn't manifest itself in the game on Saturday night. That says something that I have learned the hard way earlier - if it requires thinking about (as is the case when you are learning something) then there just isn't time during a game to do it. Simple.
Speaking of time and games, another interesting observation: does the proportion of skill time to 'battle' time at pretty well all the training sessions I've been to over the past year (on ice and inline with almost a dozen different trainers) bear any relation to the proportion of non-game time to game time a hockey player must somehow maintain over time? Roughly, 4 or 5 to 1? I think they kind-of do, but the numbers are far more extreme when you add in all the private practice. At least, for me!
Then it was the long drive home. With plenty of time to think about my development as a player (another topic!). With quite an operative slant, however, because I've decided to try out on Sunday evening (the only one of several dates that I'll be able to make before season starts on 30 March, assuming I make the cut). But even the experience of making the commitment to try out is an interesting one, as you've probably gathered if you have read the post that proceeds this one.
Between now and Sunday I have probably fine weather. Which equals a couple evenings to drill at the school or tour down the river, a Saturday morning inline skate before an evening top-of-the-ladder game, a Sunday afternoon session on the ice with the boys, and then a 4 hour hiatus before returning to the Ice Arena for an hour of tryouts.
Which is a fair bit of skating time, but not too much. If I look after myself in the meantime. More on that later.
For now, Thanks Nancy, for going along with my drive! As well as everybody else...
Tuesday, 11 March 2014
Dilemma!
There is no try. There is only do and not do.
Yoda.
It's raining (or at least, wet (this is Adelaide!)) so, even though I got home early, I can't go inline skating. I was just wondering what else I should do instead (anything to avoid all those jobs around the house that need doing) when I learned that it seems there will be a winter 'Premier C Grade' season on the ice. Fewer teams than summer, membership subject to a draft following tryouts. Process kicks off in less than a fortnight.
This is great news. Potentially, ice hockey all year round, and even just competing in the tryouts would be an experience in itself! I'd have to get into a regime immediately for this as first tryout is less than a fortnight away (though I can't make that particular day due clash with Qualifying Final for the Wheelers). Assuming that I can make the alternative tryout day/s (still waiting on the detail), is it something I should do?
There's a few issues to think through (what this post is about).
Firstly, and also to help dispel what I regard as a myth, inline skating is not in itself detrimental to ice skating (nor vice versa). I say this from my own experience. As I've learned, one needs to make the effort to keep the ice/inline legs in synch, but that is doable. I've been doing it since the Knight's last game in summer with the emphasis on the inline. I could do it the other way. It's not like we play for sheep stations in the Vikings C Grade comp, I'd hold my own I'm sure.
Tick to the Inline/Ice issue.
I don't want to make a commitment to something that I can't follow through on (and, if by some miracle mixed with dint of hard work) I did make the cut, I'd certainly want to keep my Vikings colours flying (even if it took a second place when ice games clashed). I'd be willing to forego all other inline commitments to concentrate on the ice. I suspect I'd still be able to play more inline games than not, and organise beforehand with the Vikings reserve coordinator to cover my team when I wasn't there. Finals would only be a problem if I made it in both forms of hockey. If it was a clash of grand finals, I'd deal with that at the time lol (bloody optimist).
So, tick to the Vikings clash (except present season's finals - potential game breaker).
Every Saturday would involve a game of either ice or inline hockey, with at least every other week featuring an ice game on different day/time also. Do-able. There'd be an hour at weird day/time training on the small ice every week (I'd do it if it didn't clash with Wheeler's game so as to interfere with Wheeler's season). If I bought a term's Academy membership that would be 3-10 Tuesday evenings and a skate each week with the boy/s (assuming at least one continues). These are the minimal requirements timewise to be real. This equates with a minimum of 3 ice and 1 additional ice or inline session a week. Add a day of rest. Add another day for recreational skate / inline training session / injury recovery / kid time / etc. Add up to 7 more Academy sessions and finals games (if feeling optimistic). Still do-able.
Tick to the time factor.
Neither sport is cheap, though the ice is a lot more expensive than the inline. Total Ice fees would be about $700 (Minimum of 10 small ice trainings, 3 academy sessions, 10 public sessions and 12 games over 3-4 months, (add more academy and playoff games if optimistic)). The Inline runs at about $120 for the season (14 games, 14 training sessions). I have all equipment required, but still probably need to spend a few dollars for ice uniform if I get the chance and expendables (sharpening, laces, tape). I presently have a relatively comfy middle class job. Stop all junk food purchase and recoup half the cost. Stop smoking and make a profit. No excuse here.
Tick to the cost factor.
That leaves two unresolved main issues, logistics (the logistics of a busy one car family in particular, considering all the travel time that is implied as a maximum in the minimal participation outlined above) and the wife factor. These issues are interrelated, the first factoring in as a derivative of the second on closer reflection. Of course, there's at least a middling chance that I won't have improved enough from summer to make the cut even if I do try out, so I'll see the lie of the land with the missus and play it from there.
We'll give it a go, anwyays.
Monday, 10 March 2014
Learning Ambition
"I thought it was just a sport. Now I know it's a way of life!"
Dan (Knight #87)
Learning to skate, pass, stick handle, shoot, check. Zones, rules, positions, lanes. Team mates, opposing players, drills, systems. Equipment, transit, logistics, time management. Conditioning, strength, fitness, speed. Muscular cardio vascular respiratory chemistry. Adrenaline, norepinephrine, dopamine, lactic acid. Diet, hydration, energy, physiology. Strains, sprains, bruises, tears. Direction, timing, benchmarks, milestones. Discipline, honesty, study, practice. Fun, work, friendship, compete. The compleat skater will factor it all in, with an overarching sense of politik.
Riverside - High 5's and the sense of Adventure
Today was a public holiday in South Australia, 'Adelaide Cup Day' to be precise. Hence, a Monday to rest and recuperate from what was a pretty draining week last week. By late afternoon, the few things that absolutely needed to be done around the house had been, so it was on with the inlines and out onto the road.
Earlier, the missus had enquired about whether I was going ice skating today (something I often do on public holidays) and I, after a moment's hesitation, said 'no'. Perhaps to her surprise, and mine, I am sticking to my 'plan'. It would have been easy to also decide to not go for an inline skate (the body's tired, it's humid and warm, I've reached the level in inline hockey I see as the minimum for enjoyment, I can do it tomorrow, etc). It came down to being stubborn and getting the skates etc on and heading out, regardless of what I felt.
What made it a little easier to do was my decision to go for a skate along linear park (a network of trails following Adelaide's only 'river', the Torrens) rather than down the primary school for drills. I look at my river skates as being about recreation rather than 'improvement', skating for skating's sake. Like I used to do with my bike once upon a time. Good move. I even put on my fluoro yellow tank top in case I went further than usual and came back in the gloom.
For the first kilometre, even though it's the easiest kilometre, my body was regretting my decision. My legs ached, mental energy was relatively low, skates required a bit of concentration. Then I eased up and was soon cruising - just in time to make the decision to take the 'long' route (5-6km) over the short one (2-3km). And then, when I got to my usual turning point to loop around to come back the other side of the river, I started to wonder where the trail went if I kept following it. So, follow it I did.
And ended up going through an area I've never been in before along paths and tracks never before travelled by me. At one point in the mazing network of bike paths, busways, bridges, rivers and parks I was begining to think that I'd absolutely no idea which way to go next to get home when I fortuitously spotted an old faded sign painted on the trackway indicating the way. It was pointing in a direction that my internal compass would have sworn was wrong, but I followed it anyway and ended up getting home about an hour after departure. Endorphin high followed. Mission accomplished. It will be easier to skate tomorrow (I think back to puck and stick) than it was today. All good fun. All good.
The highlight today was just after I decided to go into new and uncharted territory, with the little doubt in the mind about the wisdom of it all. Coming the other way on the track were four kids, probable ages 7-10. They had their fishing gear with them (coulda been me a few decades ago). As I approached in the power stride, the second kid called our "High Five, Mister?", sticking his hand out as he did so. He gave me enough time to process events, so I slapped as I went by. The kids behind also had their hands out, so it was a bit like getting a goal! Especially as I heard their whoops of glee behind me as I powered on into the unknown.
An omen. Good skate.
Earlier, the missus had enquired about whether I was going ice skating today (something I often do on public holidays) and I, after a moment's hesitation, said 'no'. Perhaps to her surprise, and mine, I am sticking to my 'plan'. It would have been easy to also decide to not go for an inline skate (the body's tired, it's humid and warm, I've reached the level in inline hockey I see as the minimum for enjoyment, I can do it tomorrow, etc). It came down to being stubborn and getting the skates etc on and heading out, regardless of what I felt.
What made it a little easier to do was my decision to go for a skate along linear park (a network of trails following Adelaide's only 'river', the Torrens) rather than down the primary school for drills. I look at my river skates as being about recreation rather than 'improvement', skating for skating's sake. Like I used to do with my bike once upon a time. Good move. I even put on my fluoro yellow tank top in case I went further than usual and came back in the gloom.
For the first kilometre, even though it's the easiest kilometre, my body was regretting my decision. My legs ached, mental energy was relatively low, skates required a bit of concentration. Then I eased up and was soon cruising - just in time to make the decision to take the 'long' route (5-6km) over the short one (2-3km). And then, when I got to my usual turning point to loop around to come back the other side of the river, I started to wonder where the trail went if I kept following it. So, follow it I did.
And ended up going through an area I've never been in before along paths and tracks never before travelled by me. At one point in the mazing network of bike paths, busways, bridges, rivers and parks I was begining to think that I'd absolutely no idea which way to go next to get home when I fortuitously spotted an old faded sign painted on the trackway indicating the way. It was pointing in a direction that my internal compass would have sworn was wrong, but I followed it anyway and ended up getting home about an hour after departure. Endorphin high followed. Mission accomplished. It will be easier to skate tomorrow (I think back to puck and stick) than it was today. All good fun. All good.
The highlight today was just after I decided to go into new and uncharted territory, with the little doubt in the mind about the wisdom of it all. Coming the other way on the track were four kids, probable ages 7-10. They had their fishing gear with them (coulda been me a few decades ago). As I approached in the power stride, the second kid called our "High Five, Mister?", sticking his hand out as he did so. He gave me enough time to process events, so I slapped as I went by. The kids behind also had their hands out, so it was a bit like getting a goal! Especially as I heard their whoops of glee behind me as I powered on into the unknown.
An omen. Good skate.
Sunday, 9 March 2014
Sunday Skate - Exhaustion Reward Development
Today, an abbreviated skate at the Ice Arena with B and A (aged 9 and 4 respectively). B has been doing his 'learn to skate' classes religiously and not missed the chance for a Sunday skate while A has been pushing hard for a skate for awhile now (vague memories of his first skate at 3).
They both seem keen to play ice hockey (they are quite specific about this lol). Gotta get A skating on his own first, though :) he's within sight now. B, meanwhile, is coming ahead leaps and bounds from week to week and looked quite natural with his casual skating today (I watched him a reasonable amount of time while doing laps of the small rink with A in hand). B will soon be able to do the introduction to ice hockey 'Ice Blast' program at its next showing without embarassing himself or learning how to skate at the same time, and see if he really does enjoy the game as much as he thinks he will. For what it's worth, I reckon he will.
A's reward for working his way around the edge of the small rink under his own steam was for me to take him for a couple laps of the big ice just before closing time. To his credit, he did it, and enjoyed his 'ride' on the big ice. B, on the other hand, was more than happy with recognition, praise, and the occasional demonstration of my hockey stop for him.
For me, I'm assuming the time on ice, limited as it was almost entirely to slow laps with a four year old on the small ice, was sufficient for me to stay in touch with my 'ice feet'. This is becoming doubly important now as I'm about to put in a final push to get inline stick and puck training hours under the belt while daylight savings and the light remain.
I'm starting to put a bit of thought into winter season training regimes in the absence of actual daily skating opportunities. A weekly skate with one or more of the kids, inline training and a game, upto once a fortnight at ice academy (and it only takes attendance at three sessions and using up all the free public session passes to come out ahead financially, which is important), and now Jess wants me to start a gym program once or twice a week. Throw in a shinny or two a month and things look pretty busy, now that I think of it. Maybe I won't need to take up running afterall!
Exhausting, rewarding - that's what introducing kids to the ice is. Like most things skate'n'puck related, the relationship between the two is directly proportional.
So, maybe I'll do it anyway!
They both seem keen to play ice hockey (they are quite specific about this lol). Gotta get A skating on his own first, though :) he's within sight now. B, meanwhile, is coming ahead leaps and bounds from week to week and looked quite natural with his casual skating today (I watched him a reasonable amount of time while doing laps of the small rink with A in hand). B will soon be able to do the introduction to ice hockey 'Ice Blast' program at its next showing without embarassing himself or learning how to skate at the same time, and see if he really does enjoy the game as much as he thinks he will. For what it's worth, I reckon he will.
A's reward for working his way around the edge of the small rink under his own steam was for me to take him for a couple laps of the big ice just before closing time. To his credit, he did it, and enjoyed his 'ride' on the big ice. B, on the other hand, was more than happy with recognition, praise, and the occasional demonstration of my hockey stop for him.
For me, I'm assuming the time on ice, limited as it was almost entirely to slow laps with a four year old on the small ice, was sufficient for me to stay in touch with my 'ice feet'. This is becoming doubly important now as I'm about to put in a final push to get inline stick and puck training hours under the belt while daylight savings and the light remain.
I'm starting to put a bit of thought into winter season training regimes in the absence of actual daily skating opportunities. A weekly skate with one or more of the kids, inline training and a game, upto once a fortnight at ice academy (and it only takes attendance at three sessions and using up all the free public session passes to come out ahead financially, which is important), and now Jess wants me to start a gym program once or twice a week. Throw in a shinny or two a month and things look pretty busy, now that I think of it. Maybe I won't need to take up running afterall!
Exhausting, rewarding - that's what introducing kids to the ice is. Like most things skate'n'puck related, the relationship between the two is directly proportional.
So, maybe I'll do it anyway!
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