Teaching Philosophy: Ice hockey is a complex game that involves the development of many various skills. If a player completely understands the mechanics involved in performing a skill, they will develop much faster than those who simply run a course of drills with no explanation. Each skill has one factor that must remain constant in order to correctly perform that skill. Every player, however, is physically different, which results in many methods of achieving that constant. The goal is to teach the player the simplest method of performing the skill for their physical makeup. Some players will develop certain skills faster than others, but every student will eventually reach the final result.

Teaching Method:

1. Test the student’s ability to perform all of the basic skills.
2. Determine what skills need to be developed. (Focus on all aspects of skating before any other skill is developed)
3. Explain to the student how the skill is performed correctly, & what the results of incorrect methods are. (This will allow the student to determine what they are doing wrong.)
4. Put the student through personalized drills to help them develop that skill. (Individuals students may respond to different drills and explanations, therefore, you must test and adjust accordingly.)
5. Once the student has practiced and developed the skill, add another skill to test the student’s ability to mentally focus.
6. Skills should be developed in a particular order beginning with skating (all aspects), puck handling, passing, shooting, and checking. Do not have a student continue to perform a drill that may be too difficult for them. This will only lead to frustration and may be detrimental to the student’s confidence. The best method for development is to have the student try various drills until they are able to develop the skill without the frustration of overcoming a particular drill.

What makes Phillips Hockey Unique? Steve Phillips is the only instructor that explains and develops each individual skill that is required to become a great hockey player. Steve has also carefully studied each skill and the proper mechanics involved in performing them. Many other instructors simply run drills and teach old methods that have either changed due to equipment technology, or that were incorrectly taught to them as young athletes. Drills do not develop skills. It is a players understanding of what it takes to perform a skill backed up by a drill or practice. Without the proper knowledge, a student will most certainly develop bad habits and make the game more difficult. Teaching students in groups of four or more and charging private lesson prices is a simple way to increase an instructors profit, and will not help the players develop faster. Small group lessons should always be discounted according to the number of players, because the mechanics of each student is different, as is their understanding, and individual focus will suffer. Having students play 2-on-2 scrimmages on undersized disproportionate ice surfaces will also create bad habits. Skills can be developed on smaller surfaces, but only for basic mechanics like striding or shooting.

            Many goalie coaches teach one style of goaltending, not realizing that all goalies are physically different. Goalies under 6 feet tall should not be taught the butterfly style of goaltending, because it leaves the entire upper net open to the shooter. Like stopping is to a player, going down to a goalie involves the most physical work and will quickly drain energy. All goalies should first develop leg strength and learn to move quickly on their feet. The larger the obstacle, the harder it will be for the shooter to score. A goalie that moves too much is also easily scored upon due to the difficulty of recovery following a move or shot.  The best method for instructing a goalie is to teach them patience. This will allow the goalie to wait until the player makes a move before reacting, and will result in more saves than any other method.

Basic Skill Focus of Each Age Group:

Mite: Skating fundamentals (Starts, stops, turns, crossunders, etc.), Skating with the puck.

Squirt: Skating fundamentals advanced (Transitions, proper stride, etc.), Passing, Basic Shooting.

Peewee: Skating, Puck handling, Passing, Shooting, Checking. Plus intro to off-ice

Bantam: Skating, Passing, Shooting, Checking, Defensive Play. Intense off-ice program

Midget: Skating, Passing, Checking, Defensive Play, Special Teams. Professional off-ice

* Note (Certain teams may be able to progress more rapidly than others. All age groups should be introduced to other elements such as positioning, forechecking, and backchecking. Developing skills of the players is much more important than focusing on plays for one simple reason, if simple skills cannot be performed by the players, then how do you expect them to perform difficult tasks. One example would be that if your players cannot pass, they most likely could not run a breakout.)

Phillips Guarantee: Steve Phillips is the only professional instructor who can personally guarantee results by instructing in a manner that allows the student to not only develop much faster, but to understand how to correct themselves should future mistakes occur. Having never solicited a student, Steve has created a large clientele simply through referrals of those students who have experienced positive results. Unlike other instructors, Phillips welcomes parents to watch or even video tape a session, because we know that our methods are 100% effective. The goal of Phillips Hockey is to develop the skills of as many athletes as possible while allowing them to build their self-confidence and enjoyment of the game.     

Note*(Lack of discipline & desire will impede your ability to develop. Guaranteed)