Youth lacrosse coaching drills. Top 5 Youth Lacrosse Coaching Tips: Building Skills and Character

How can coaches effectively develop young lacrosse players. What are the key foundations to focus on in youth lacrosse. Why is mental toughness important for youth athletes. How should coaches present themselves to young players.

The Origins and Growth of Lacrosse in North America

Lacrosse, a sport with deep roots in North American history, has been experiencing a surge in popularity across the United States. This team sport, which utilizes a stick and a ball, holds the distinction of being the oldest organized sport in North America. Its origins can be traced back to Native American tribes in the Northeastern regions of present-day United States and Canada.

The modernization of lacrosse began in the 1850s when Canadians adapted the sport, and it has continued to evolve ever since. As its popularity grows, more youth athletes are gravitating towards this dynamic team sport. Players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch, and shoot a small rubber ball into the opponent’s goal.

Developing Young Athletes: The Coach’s Crucial Role

As a coach of young, developing lacrosse athletes, you play a pivotal role in setting a strong foundation for their skills and potentially advancing their play to high school or collegiate levels. Your guidance can shape not only their athletic abilities but also their character and approach to teamwork.

Building the Athlete First

When coaching youth athletes, it’s essential to remember that you’re working with individuals who are still physically developing. They may have years, if not decades, of athletic play ahead of them. Your primary focus should be on building the athlete first, and the lacrosse player second.

• Establish a foundation to improve skill, build strength, and reduce injury risk
• Instruct proper form with calisthenic basics: squats, lunges, pushups, core work
• Work on good running mechanics
• Progressively introduce agility and plyometric drills
• Cue athletes on proper landing, footwork skills, and reducing knee valgus or weight shifting

Focusing on Foundational Skills in Youth Lacrosse

Many young athletes joining your team may have little to no prior knowledge of lacrosse. It’s crucial to start from scratch and focus on foundational skill movements rather than complex game strategies. This approach ensures that your players develop a solid base of technical skills before moving on to more advanced aspects of the game.

Key Foundational Skills to Emphasize

1. Passing
2. Scooping
3. Catching
4. Dodging

How can coaches effectively teach these foundational skills? By breaking down each skill into smaller, manageable components and using progressive drills that gradually increase in difficulty. This method allows players to build confidence and proficiency in each area before combining them in game-like situations.

The Coach’s Demeanor: Leading by Example

As a youth lacrosse coach, your influence extends far beyond the field. You are a figure of authority, guidance, and support, potentially playing a significant role in your players’ lives. How should coaches present themselves to young athletes?

• Always maintain discipline and control
• Follow through on commitments and practice what you preach
• Dress appropriately for both practices and games
• Present yourself as a figure of authority and respect
• Show respect to all players and demand respect in return

Why is a coach’s demeanor so important in youth sports? A coach’s behavior sets the tone for the entire team. By demonstrating professionalism, respect, and commitment, you create an environment where young athletes can thrive and develop positive habits that extend beyond the sport.

Cultivating Mental Toughness in Young Athletes

Mental toughness is a crucial aspect of athletic development, especially in youth sports. How can coaches foster mental resilience in young lacrosse players?

• Teach players that mistakes are opportunities for learning
• Encourage quick recovery and adjustment after errors
• Promote a team culture of support and learning from each other’s experiences
• Instill a sense of pride in both individual and team efforts
• Encourage consistent effort regardless of the situation or opponent

Why is mental toughness important for youth athletes? Developing mental resilience at a young age helps players handle pressure, overcome obstacles, and maintain focus during challenging situations. These skills are valuable not only in lacrosse but in all aspects of life.

Creating a Positive Team Culture in Youth Lacrosse

A positive team culture is essential for the development and enjoyment of young lacrosse players. How can coaches foster a supportive and motivating environment?

• Encourage teamwork and camaraderie
• Celebrate individual and team successes
• Promote good sportsmanship and respect for opponents
• Create opportunities for leadership and responsibility within the team
• Maintain open communication with players and parents

Why is a positive team culture crucial in youth sports? A supportive team environment enhances player engagement, promotes skill development, and creates lasting positive memories associated with the sport. This can lead to long-term participation and a lifelong love for lacrosse.

Balancing Skill Development and Game Strategy in Youth Lacrosse

While foundational skills are crucial, introducing game strategy is also important as players progress. How can coaches strike the right balance between skill development and tactical understanding?

• Gradually introduce basic positioning and team formations
• Teach simple offensive and defensive concepts
• Use small-sided games to enhance decision-making skills
• Incorporate game-like situations into skill drills
• Encourage players to think critically about their on-field choices

What are the benefits of introducing game strategy to youth players? Understanding basic tactical concepts helps players see the bigger picture of the sport, enhances their decision-making skills, and prepares them for more advanced play as they progress in their lacrosse careers.

Promoting Safe Play and Injury Prevention in Youth Lacrosse

Safety should always be a top priority in youth sports. How can coaches ensure a safe playing environment for young lacrosse players?

• Teach proper techniques for contact and body positioning
• Enforce rules consistently to prevent dangerous play
• Emphasize the importance of proper equipment and its correct usage
• Incorporate injury prevention exercises into warm-up routines
• Educate players and parents about concussion awareness and protocols

Why is injury prevention crucial in youth lacrosse? Prioritizing safety not only protects players from immediate harm but also contributes to their long-term enjoyment and participation in the sport. It also helps alleviate parental concerns, potentially leading to increased support for the program.

Implementing Effective Warm-up Routines

A proper warm-up routine is essential for injury prevention and performance optimization. What components should be included in a youth lacrosse warm-up?

1. Dynamic stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion
2. Agility drills to enhance coordination and quickness
3. Sport-specific movements to prepare for game actions
4. Light cardiovascular exercises to elevate heart rate
5. Mental preparation exercises to focus players’ attention

Utilizing Effective Drills and Practice Structures in Youth Lacrosse

Well-designed drills and practice structures are key to developing skilled lacrosse players. How can coaches create engaging and effective practice sessions?

• Use a variety of drills to keep players engaged and challenge different skills
• Incorporate small-sided games to enhance decision-making and game awareness
• Implement station-based practices to maximize player involvement and skill repetition
• Use progressions to gradually increase drill difficulty and complexity
• Include competitive elements to motivate players and simulate game pressure

What makes a lacrosse drill effective for youth players? Effective drills should be age-appropriate, engaging, and provide ample opportunities for skill repetition. They should also have clear objectives and relate directly to game situations.

Examples of Effective Youth Lacrosse Drills

1. Partner passing: Builds fundamental passing and catching skills
2. Ground ball scramble: Improves ground ball pickup technique and competitiveness
3. 3v2 continuous: Enhances offensive and defensive decision-making
4. Box drill: Develops stick skills and quick ball movement
5. Shooting on the run: Improves coordination between running and shooting

Fostering Player Development Beyond the Field

A youth lacrosse coach’s influence extends beyond teaching game skills. How can coaches contribute to their players’ overall personal development?

• Emphasize the importance of academic achievement
• Teach time management skills
• Promote good nutritional habits
• Encourage community involvement and volunteering
• Discuss the value of perseverance and goal-setting

Why is personal development important in youth sports? By focusing on holistic development, coaches can help shape well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success both on and off the field. This approach also reinforces the long-term benefits of sports participation beyond athletic achievement.

Building Leadership Skills Through Lacrosse

Lacrosse provides numerous opportunities for young athletes to develop leadership skills. How can coaches nurture leadership qualities in their players?

1. Assign team captain roles on a rotating basis
2. Encourage players to lead warm-up sessions
3. Create mentoring partnerships between older and younger players
4. Allow players to provide input on team goals and strategies
5. Recognize and praise examples of on-field leadership

Effective Communication with Parents in Youth Lacrosse

Parent involvement is a crucial aspect of youth sports. How can coaches maintain positive and productive relationships with parents?

• Hold pre-season meetings to set expectations and explain coaching philosophy
• Provide regular updates on team progress and individual player development
• Establish clear communication channels for questions and concerns
• Educate parents on the rules and strategies of lacrosse
• Involve parents in team activities and volunteer opportunities

Why is effective parent communication important in youth lacrosse? Clear and consistent communication helps create a supportive environment for players, reduces misunderstandings, and ensures that parents understand their role in their child’s athletic development.

Addressing Common Parent Concerns

What are some common concerns that parents may have in youth lacrosse, and how can coaches address them?

1. Playing time: Explain your philosophy on player rotation and development
2. Safety: Discuss safety protocols and injury prevention measures
3. Skill development: Provide resources for at-home practice and individual improvement
4. Team selection: Clarify the selection process and criteria
5. College recruitment: Offer guidance on the realities of college lacrosse and the recruitment process

Adapting Coaching Strategies for Different Age Groups

Coaching strategies should evolve as players progress through different age groups. How can coaches tailor their approach to meet the needs of various developmental stages?

• For younger players (ages 6-9): Focus on fun, basic skills, and general athleticism
• For pre-teens (ages 10-12): Introduce more complex skills and basic tactical concepts
• For teenagers (ages 13-15): Emphasize advanced skills, team strategies, and position-specific training
• For high school players (ages 16-18): Focus on high-level tactical understanding and preparation for college play

Why is it important to adapt coaching strategies for different age groups? Each developmental stage has unique physical, cognitive, and emotional characteristics. By tailoring coaching approaches, you can maximize player development and enjoyment at each level.

Age-Appropriate Practice Structures

How should practice structures differ for various age groups in youth lacrosse?

1. Younger players: Short, varied activities with frequent breaks
2. Pre-teens: Longer skill-focused sessions with some tactical elements
3. Teenagers: Balanced mix of skill work, tactical training, and scrimmages
4. High school players: Intense, game-like practices with advanced tactical focus

Leveraging Technology in Youth Lacrosse Coaching

Technology can be a valuable tool in youth lacrosse coaching. How can coaches effectively incorporate technology into their coaching practices?

• Use video analysis to review games and provide player feedback
• Implement mobile apps for team communication and scheduling
• Utilize online platforms for sharing training resources and drills
• Incorporate wearable technology for tracking player performance and fitness
• Use social media to celebrate team achievements and build community

What are the benefits of using technology in youth lacrosse coaching? Technology can enhance player development, improve communication, and provide valuable data for informed decision-making. It also keeps coaching methods current and engaging for tech-savvy young athletes.

Balancing Technology Use in Youth Sports

How can coaches ensure that technology use enhances rather than detracts from the youth lacrosse experience?

1. Set clear guidelines for appropriate technology use during team activities
2. Use technology as a supplement to, not a replacement for, hands-on coaching
3. Ensure that technology use doesn’t interfere with player-to-player interactions
4. Be mindful of potential socioeconomic disparities in access to technology
5. Educate players on responsible digital citizenship and online behavior

Top 5 Tips for Coaching Youth Lacrosse Athletes

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Lacrosse is a sport that is growing in popularity across the United States. To many, then it may be unfamiliar, but lacrosse’s roots are deep in the North American continent. For those not familiar, lacrosse is a team sport that utilizes a stick and a ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America and originated with Native American trips in the Northeastern part of the present-day United States and Canada. The Canadians “modernized” the sport in the 1850s, and it has continued to evolve ever since.

As the sport continues to become popular, more and more youth athletes are gravitating to the team sport. Lacrosse players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch and shoot a small rubber lacrosse ball into the opponent’s goals. As a coach of young, developing lacrosse athletes, you have the opportunity to set a strong foundation to build their skills and promote their advancement into high school or collegiate level play.

Five Tips For Youth Lacrosse Coaches

Build the athlete first. The lacrosse player comes second.

When coaching any youth athlete, you are inheriting an individual who may be naturally gifted, who may need some polishing or someone you may need to build from the ground up. Remember, your athletes are young men and women who are still physically developing and may have years, if not decades, of athletic play ahead of them. They may become a lifelong lacrosse player, or they may bounce between several sports and recreational pursuits. As a coach of a young athlete, you must establish a foundation to help improve skill, build strength, and reduce injury. You set up a foundation that could lead to a long, athletic career or early retirement due to a severe injury. Instruct them on proper form with calisthenic basics to build strength: squats, lunges, pushups, core work and so on. Work on building good mechanics with running. And slowly progress them with agility and plyometric drills. Cue the young athletes on proper landing, footwork skills, and reducing knee valgus or weight shifting.

Focus on the foundations.

Likely you are coaching a team with young men and women who may have little to nothing about lacrosse. Maybe they have a parent who played or loves the sport. Or maybe this was a sport the parent felt may be a safe option for introducing their young athlete into team sports. The bottom line is you have to start with scratch and work on foundational skill movements versus big picture game strategy. This is the time to work on technical skills such as passing, scooping, catching, and dodging. Make your young lacrosse athlete comfortable with the basic skills before you expect them to thrive on the field. And even then, it may take some time for them to progress from skill work, to drills, to scrimmaging, to successful playing on the field. Set up your athlete for success beyond the youth league.

As a coach, you’re always on.

You are the coach. You are a figure of authority, guidance, and support. You may even be the key woman or man in this young person’s life. You should always present yourself with discipline and control. This means following up on what you say. Practice what you preach and follow through on commitments. Also, show up and look at the part. Dress appropriately regardless of whether it is practice or game day. Consider wearing appropriate athletic shoes, khakis and a belt, a team shirt, or polo. Look professional and like a figure of authority and respect. Do not act or come across like a bigger version of the pre-junior high kids on your team. You are not there to be a friend. You are there to coach and provide guidance. Show respect to all players. And require respect from your players to you and themselves. You may not have control over what is taking place in their personal lives, but here you can set some ground rules which will carry over well beyond recreational sport.

Establish mental toughness.

Your athletes are young and new to the sport. This is a prime time to teach young athletes that it is OK to make a mistake. It is how they react to the key mistake. Mistakes happen. Learn from the mistake and quickly move on. Teach your young athletes not to dwell on a mistake, but how can they recover, adjust and learn. This is also a good way for teammates to learn from the mistakes of others, but how to rally and help the team as a whole rebound. No player is perfect. Establish a sense of pride with the players and the team. Have them approach every practice – and every game – with the mentality to compete hard. Show up to practices and games on time be dresse and prepared. Give it your all no matter if it’s the 100th time a drill has been done, or you’re facing the best team in the league. Get your game face on and fake it until you make it.

Ask for help.

You are coaching maybe because you played in high school or college. Or maybe you’ve always had a love of the sport of lacrosse. Or maybe you were thrust into the coaching role because your child has an interest, but there were no viable options around. Regardless of your background, you can always learn and improve as a lacrosse coach. Network with other coaches in youth leagues and reach out to junior high, high school, or college coaches. Any true coach with a love of their sport is willing to help build up the skills of anyone in the sport.

Being a coach of lacrosse, or any sport, is not easy. It takes a commitment of time and energy. And when you are working with young athletes, your focus is to establish foundations for any athletic adventure or life lesson. This is an opportunity to serve as a mentor, show discipline and respect, set good foundational skills and athleticism, and serve as a positive adult role. Young men and women will remember those adults who set them on the right path in life – those teachers, coaches, or community members who shaped, guided, but also set boundaries. Utilize those in your local lacrosse community, or visit World Lacrosse or USA Lacrosse for additional resources.

Share This Story!

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Lacrosse is a sport that is growing in popularity across the United States. To many, then it may be unfamiliar, but lacrosse’s roots are deep in the North American continent. For those not familiar, lacrosse is a team sport that utilizes a stick and a ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America and originated with Native American trips in the Northeastern part of the present-day United States and Canada. The Canadians “modernized” the sport in the 1850s, and it has continued to evolve ever since.

As the sport continues to become popular, more and more youth athletes are gravitating to the team sport. Lacrosse players use the head of the lacrosse stick to carry, pass, catch and shoot a small rubber lacrosse ball into the opponent’s goals. As a coach of young, developing lacrosse athletes, you have the opportunity to set a strong foundation to build their skills and promote their advancement into high school or collegiate level play.

Five Tips For Youth Lacrosse Coaches

Build the athlete first. The lacrosse player comes second.

When coaching any youth athlete, you are inheriting an individual who may be naturally gifted, who may need some polishing or someone you may need to build from the ground up. Remember, your athletes are young men and women who are still physically developing and may have years, if not decades, of athletic play ahead of them. They may become a lifelong lacrosse player, or they may bounce between several sports and recreational pursuits. As a coach of a young athlete, you must establish a foundation to help improve skill, build strength, and reduce injury. You set up a foundation that could lead to a long, athletic career or early retirement due to a severe injury. Instruct them on proper form with calisthenic basics to build strength: squats, lunges, pushups, core work and so on. Work on building good mechanics with running. And slowly progress them with agility and plyometric drills. Cue the young athletes on proper landing, footwork skills, and reducing knee valgus or weight shifting.

Focus on the foundations.

Likely you are coaching a team with young men and women who may have little to nothing about lacrosse. Maybe they have a parent who played or loves the sport. Or maybe this was a sport the parent felt may be a safe option for introducing their young athlete into team sports. The bottom line is you have to start with scratch and work on foundational skill movements versus big picture game strategy. This is the time to work on technical skills such as passing, scooping, catching, and dodging. Make your young lacrosse athlete comfortable with the basic skills before you expect them to thrive on the field. And even then, it may take some time for them to progress from skill work, to drills, to scrimmaging, to successful playing on the field. Set up your athlete for success beyond the youth league.

As a coach, you’re always on.

You are the coach. You are a figure of authority, guidance, and support. You may even be the key woman or man in this young person’s life. You should always present yourself with discipline and control. This means following up on what you say. Practice what you preach and follow through on commitments. Also, show up and look at the part. Dress appropriately regardless of whether it is practice or game day. Consider wearing appropriate athletic shoes, khakis and a belt, a team shirt, or polo. Look professional and like a figure of authority and respect. Do not act or come across like a bigger version of the pre-junior high kids on your team. You are not there to be a friend. You are there to coach and provide guidance. Show respect to all players. And require respect from your players to you and themselves. You may not have control over what is taking place in their personal lives, but here you can set some ground rules which will carry over well beyond recreational sport.

Establish mental toughness.

Your athletes are young and new to the sport. This is a prime time to teach young athletes that it is OK to make a mistake. It is how they react to the key mistake. Mistakes happen. Learn from the mistake and quickly move on. Teach your young athletes not to dwell on a mistake, but how can they recover, adjust and learn. This is also a good way for teammates to learn from the mistakes of others, but how to rally and help the team as a whole rebound. No player is perfect. Establish a sense of pride with the players and the team. Have them approach every practice – and every game – with the mentality to compete hard. Show up to practices and games on time be dresse and prepared. Give it your all no matter if it’s the 100th time a drill has been done, or you’re facing the best team in the league. Get your game face on and fake it until you make it.

Ask for help.

You are coaching maybe because you played in high school or college. Or maybe you’ve always had a love of the sport of lacrosse. Or maybe you were thrust into the coaching role because your child has an interest, but there were no viable options around. Regardless of your background, you can always learn and improve as a lacrosse coach. Network with other coaches in youth leagues and reach out to junior high, high school, or college coaches. Any true coach with a love of their sport is willing to help build up the skills of anyone in the sport.

Being a coach of lacrosse, or any sport, is not easy. It takes a commitment of time and energy. And when you are working with young athletes, your focus is to establish foundations for any athletic adventure or life lesson. This is an opportunity to serve as a mentor, show discipline and respect, set good foundational skills and athleticism, and serve as a positive adult role. Young men and women will remember those adults who set them on the right path in life – those teachers, coaches, or community members who shaped, guided, but also set boundaries. Utilize those in your local lacrosse community, or visit World Lacrosse or USA Lacrosse for additional resources.

Share This Story!

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PP Nova Shake School | Boys Lacrosse | Northern Virginia

SHAKE SCHOOL

One of our best attributes is complete lacrosse athlete development.  True to our Performance Pyramid, we develop the foundation, function and skills of boys lacrosse athletes. 

​

Shake school will run as a 6 week session offered Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8pm-9pm for offensive players wanting to focus on injury prevention, winning their 1 on 1 matchup and creating space at the point of attack with elite footwork.

Our training sessions will develop your son’s ability to:

• Execute proper dodges and dodge footwork to create separation
• Understand angles for cutting and on/off ball movement
• Handle the stick comfortably with both hands
• Take a high number of shot reps every training session

Please email [email protected] or click below to register for your introductory offer.   We will return your email within 24 hours or the next business day.

TRAINING OFFERINGS

NEW ATHLETE INTRODUCTORY OFFER 

Athletes entering the Boys Lacrosse Academy start with an evaluation.  We want to know your goals, strengths and weaknesses.  Our introductory offer is our way for you to get familiar with the program and includes the following:

• Discovery call/meeting to better understand you and your goals
• Functional movement screen (FMS)
• Speed (10yd, 40yd)
• Agility (Pro Agility Drill)
• Power (Broad Jump)
• Passing/clearing
• Catching
• Dodging (Face, Split, Roll, Bull, etc)
• Shooting (accuracy and speed)
• Defensive footwork/body control
• Post evaluation consultation
• Private training session​
• Training plan and goal setting

Please email boyslacrosse@perfect-performancenova. com or click below to register for your introductory offer.  We will return your email within 24 hours or the next business day.

TRAINING REGISTRATION

Introductory Offer(MANDATORY)
Every NEW athlete must register for the Boys Lacrosse Introductory Offer.  The Introductory Offer includes the discovery call, the Functional Movement Screen, the baseline performance evaluation and the lacrosse skills evaluation.  Please click the button below to register for the Boys Lacrosse Introductory Offer.  Once you register, please email [email protected] to schedule your evaluation.

CLICK Here For The Introductory Offer

Private Training
Private training is a maximum of 2-3 players of similar talent level that work with one coach to perfect offensive player skills and techniques of stick skills, passing, shooting and dodging.  If you have a group of 2-3 athletes that you want to train together please let us know via email at boyslacrosse@perfect-performancenova. com.  If you do not have a training group, we will place you in a private training group.  The private training sessions are scheduled by appointment only.  Please click the button below to register for our private training sessions and follow the instructions.  You will be registering for a package labeled Boys Lacrosse-Position Specific.

Unlimited Monthly
The unlimited monthly training option includes the Speed & Strength Academy as well as the Offensive Skills Academy.  Your son can attend as many performance training and skills sessions as possible during the month.  We offer performance training sessions 5 days per week and will offer lacrosse skills sessions 1 day per week.  To register, please click the button below and follow the instructions.  You will be registering for a membership labeled Boys Lacrosse Offensive Position Player Academy.

10 Session Package
The 10 session package allows your son participation in 10 sessions of offensive skills training during the current season.   Please note the 10 session package expires at the end of the season.  To register, please click the button below and follow the registration instructions.  You will be registering for a membership labeled Boys Lacrosse10 Session Package-Skills Training.

Training Registration

Strength training program | Work program (grades 9, 10, 11) on the topic:

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The program was developed on the basis of Art. 12, paragraph 4 of the Federal Law “On Education in the Russian Federation” No. 273-FE; Letter No. 06-1844 dated December 11, 2006 “Requirements for the content and design of additional education programs for children”.

Short-term educational program “Strength Training” of a physical culture and sports orientation, adapted, compiled on the basis of basic bodybuilding and powerlifting exercises, adapted for adolescents aged 14-21 years.

Relevance of the program:

Strength exercises are so popular these days, based on the study of muscles and the growth of their mass. Strength training is a type of physical exercise using resistance; when performed properly, provide significant functional benefits and improve overall health, including strengthening muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones, improving their joint function, reducing the risk of damage by increasing bone density, increasing metabolism, improving cardiac function and increasing HDL (good cholesterol). Strength training generally uses the technique of gradually increasing muscle strength through additional weight gain and uses a variety of exercises and types of equipment to develop specific muscle groups. Strength training is primarily anaerobic, although some proponents have adapted it for the benefits of aerobic exercise over circuit training.

Sports where strength training is the main focus: bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, strong spears. There are also many other sports where strength training is used as part of the training program, such as football, wrestling, rugby, athletics, rowing, lacrosse, basketball, hockey. Strength training for other sports and physical activities is becoming more and more popular, including among young people.

Pedagogical expediency:

Classes under the short-term educational program “Strength training” enable students to improve their physical capabilities (strength capabilities) helping to prepare for the control test included in the school educational program in physical education. The development of elementary strength exercises and enables adolescents (boys) to prepare for military service (such exercises as pull-ups and push-ups from the floor).

The program of the “Strength training” association is designed in such a way that it includes not only the basics of strength exercises, but also theoretical knowledge aimed at studying the rules and techniques for practicing various types of strength training. By attending classes, students will form a muscular corset that will help further correct and aesthetic formation of the musculoskeletal system, add masculinity to the appearance of teenage boys, relieving them of complexes of adolescence, and add self-confidence.

Newness of the program:

Strength training belongs to the modern systems of physical education, although bodybuilding itself as a type of sports activity is rooted in ancient times, having both a long history and a wide biography. Until the 20th century, the history of the development of strength training methods was very similar to the history of bodyweight training. With the advent of modern technologies, materials and knowledge, the number of strength training methods used has increased significantly.

Hippocrates explained the principle of strength training when he wrote, “What is used grows, and what is not used dies,” referring to muscle hypertrophy and atrophy. The progressive impact of training goes back at least to Ancient Greece. .

A variety of exercises and increases the level of their physical strength and the use of various simulators improves mood and self-confidence.

As a means of educating and developing a personality, strength training has its own characteristics:

– the complexity of the impact on the body of those involved, i. e. simultaneous development of basic physical qualities (strength and endurance) and body functions (musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory).

– competitive interest

In the process of doing “strength training”, those involved, as if competing with each other, increase their strength capabilities and skills – – – great emotionality of classes

This factor allows you to throw out emotions, relieve emotional stress, directing them to the right channel.

Purpose of the program: Creating conditions for optimizing the physical development of students, comprehensively improving the physical qualities inherent in each and related abilities in unity with the education of spiritual and moral qualities that characterize a socially active person, as well as actively promoting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining and strengthening health of students.

Main tasks

Educational

– To teach skills and abilities in strength exercises.

– Step by step to teach the techniques of performing strength exercises.

– To teach the simplest ways to control physical activity

Educational

– To cultivate independence, responsibility and initiative.

– Raise the need for regular exercise.

– to cultivate the ability to plan one’s actions, set goals and objectives.

Educational

– Develop students’ physical endurance and strength, increase muscle mass

– Develop strong-willed and mental abilities.

To achieve the set goals, the following conditions must be met: clear planning of the educational process; phased preparation of classes, taking into account the physical and moral qualities of students; motivating students to actively participate in the classroom through the use of various ways and methods of training; it is necessary to interest students using video material and other didactic materials.

The age of students in the association is from 14 to 21 years.

The number of students in a group must not exceed 12 people. All interested persons are registered in the association. During the enrollment in the association, an interview takes place, during which the student’s personal desire to play sports is clarified, and his physical condition is also assessed (body structure, overweight or lack thereof).

The program is designed for 6 weeks of training, 24 hours (2 times a week for 2 hours).

Forms and schedule of classes.

This program is specifically designed around basic strength exercises. In order to attract students to classes, as well as to encourage their motivation for classes, certain forms and methods of teaching are used. Classes take place in group and individual form, under the guidance of a teacher. It is recommended to use lectures – demonstrations, when the teacher demonstrates, and the students perform exercises together, combining them with exercises on sports simulators. Classes consist of theoretical and practical parts. The theoretical part includes lectures on safety during classes, rules and methods for using simulators. Theoretical classes are aimed at motivating students to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, and have an active life position.

For the practical part, there are a number of medical contraindications, namely: diseases of the cardiovascular system (heart disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, etc.), injuries or consequences of injuries of the musculoskeletal system, in particular the spine (compression fracture of the spine , hip injury).

Students learn basic skills by learning basic strength exercises, relying on adherence to basic fitness positions, this is safety and efficiency.

In order to successfully master the basic knowledge and skills of strength training, it is necessary to observe the general principles of physical education, which consist of three components: contribute to the strengthening and development of the functional systems of the body, disease prevention.

The principle of connection of physical education with labor activity. The applied role of strength training is to prepare students for educational and labor activities with the help of physical exercises, to develop, first of all, those physical qualities that can be useful in the process of work and study.

The principle of health-improving orientation of physical exercises. Improving the health of students is a top priority. To do this, it is necessary to carefully approach the choice of means of physical education (exercises), as well as plan and regulate the intensity of the load in accordance with the individual characteristics of each student. Medical and pedagogical control is necessary in order to exclude the adverse effects of physical exercises on the body of those involved.

Precautions

Safety factors for strength training:

Outside:

• Gym and support areas must be hygienic;
• the right choice of health program is needed;
• providing children with safe sports equipment;
• pupils must have appropriate and comfortable sportswear and footwear;
• simulators must be in good working order and comply with safety standards when using them.
• absence of injuries and medical report on recovery from injuries;
• sufficient general fitness;
• correct movement technique;
• compliance with the recommendations on the systematic training and the magnitude of the motor load.

The structure of the lesson

According to the plan, the lesson consists of a theoretical and practical part

1. The theoretical part – includes a short lecture on the theory of training, basic forms and methods of strength training. Students make brief notes and record the main concepts in their study books. The duration of the theoretical part is 1 hour.
2. Practice:

Warm-up for 7-10 minutes. It solves the following tasks: preparation of the cardiovascular, muscular and respiratory systems of the body for intense physical activity,

preparation of the musculoskeletal system for the upcoming work, reducing the risk of injury.

The main part lasts 45 minutes, which includes strength exercises for certain muscle groups, according to the class schedule and individual program. In this part of the lesson, simulators, dumbbells and other sports equipment are used.

Musical accompaniment

Music in strength training classes is a tool that creates a positive emotional background and tempo of the class. The musical rhythm creates a tempo for the movements performed, makes students want to do the exercises more energetically, which enhances the effect of the training as a whole. Musical accompaniment will be effective only if the following requirements are met:

1. Musical works selected for individual parts of the lesson should correspond to the objectives of the lesson as a whole.
2. The nature, tempo and rhythm of the music is selected according to the nature, tempo and rhythm of the exercises performed and their intensity.
3. Musical works must be selected according to the age and physical fitness of students.
4. The music needs to be changed regularly to keep students interested.
5. Sound power 64-68 decibels.
6. The content of the music program should be varied.

The tempo of musical accompaniment during aerobics should be between 120 and 132 beats per minute.

Expected results

• Increase in general physical fitness and endurance of pupils.
• Desire to lead a healthy lifestyle
• Presence of pupils’ ability to self-organization and self-control.
• Ability to demonstrate the level of sports and technical, physical and intellectual readiness.

For the entire year of study

Must know:

– the purpose of the gym and the rules of conduct in it

– the causes of injuries and safety rules in the classroom

– the rules of personal hygiene, the basics of breathing

9000 2 – the basics of a healthy lifestyle

Must be able to navigate

in the gym, be able to perform various strength exercises on strength training equipment.

Create an individual strength training program.

Methods for determining the effectiveness

Analysis of the performance technique is carried out by observing the student in the process of conducting training sessions. The student shows the basic strength exercises from his individual program. The technique of execution and the logic of drawing up an individual program are evaluated, taking into account the stated goal and the fulfillment of the corresponding tasks.

Also, when summing up the results of training, control cuts are carried out on the main strength abilities, namely: pull-ups, push-ups from the floor and exercises for the press.

Forms for summing up the results of implementation

The main form for summing up the results of the implementation of an additional educational program is sports holidays, festivals and competitions.

Youth Hockey League – “Debut in the KHL is a wild motivation. You have clearly shown what you are working for.” Egor Gurzanov on championship, motivational stories and chess

The captain of SKA-1946 leads the team to the second Kharlamov Cup.

Egor Gurzanov – SKA-1946″, one of the team’s most experienced and scoring players in the playoffs. To achieve such success, the attacker had to go through a thorny path. Egor was born in the city of Fokino, Primorsky Krai, at the age of two he moved to another small city – Kuznetsk. In the Penza Diesel system, Gurzanov formed as a player, and in the 2016/2017 season he moved to SKA-Varyags. In one of his first matches in the MHL, the striker suffered a serious injury – a cruciate ligament rupture – due to which he missed the entire 2019 season./2020. He was able not only to return to the previous level, but also to become one of the main creators of victory in the championship playoffs, gaining 19 (4+15) points in 17 cup matches. Egor spent most of the 2022/2023 season in the All-Russian Hockey League. He returned to the MHL for the first round of the playoffs and, together with the team, is confidently moving towards the second trophy.

In an interview with the MHL website, Yegor Gurzanov spoke about Michkov’s lacrosses, his success in the playoffs, his injury, and his title defense.

“It’s hard to find words when nothing bad happens, it’s easiest to do it in difficult moments”

– You have confidently passed two rounds of the playoffs and are now preparing for the semi-finals, what is the mood in the team?
– Good mood, only positive emotions. We were lucky that we went 3-0 every series, in any case, all the boys are good fellows. The team is in a working mood, we continue in the same spirit, we have already forgotten the past rounds.

– Won’t a losing streak give the team too much self-confidence?
– We already have an adult team, many of them played last year, and we tell the younger boys before each match and at meetings that this is all just the beginning. Even when we were leading 2-0 in the series with Dynamo, we said that it doesn’t matter at all, we have no right to make a mistake and we have to take the match here and now. So there is no superfluous self-confidence in the team, everyone just works and prepares for the next games.

– As a captain, do you often suggest something to young people?
– Yes, but not only me, we also have assistants Semyon Demidov and Yegor Zelenov. Semyon says something to the team after the dry warm-up, I’m in front of the ice, Egor before the ice warm-up. We all try to keep in touch and make contact with younger guys, if something goes wrong, we try to support. We have a lot of adult guys, so there are no problems with communication, everyone calmly finds contact with each other.

– Do you and your assistant captain have a clear order in which you address the team?
– Yes, there is. This is not so much an order as a tradition. Last year it was like that and we took the Cup, so we stick to this tradition and try to take turns supporting each other.

– Ever had trouble finding the right words during a difficult period?
– It’s generally hard to find words when nothing bad is happening. In difficult moments, it is easiest to do this, because everything comes from the heart. It turns out that the speech is spontaneous, you can say something obscene, because anyway, everything is on edge – these are emotions.

– Over the course of your career, did you yourself remember someone’s motivational speech in the locker room?
– Specific words are not remembered, just in the moment you feel that they support you, the general meaning is stored in your memory. We had a moment in the playoffs with SKA-Neva when we lost two games in a row, in the third match between periods, Zhenya Kalabushkin picked the right words and this helped the team. During such speeches, you experience an adrenaline rush, you feel that you are walking shoulder to shoulder with each other.

– Does the captain’s patch still add responsibility on the ice?
– I’m already used to this responsibility because I was the captain throughout the 2021/2022 season. The complexity of captaincy lies more in emotions, because you need to support the guys on the bench. If something does not work out for someone, it is necessary to say the right words between periods, a lot of emotions are wasted from this and sometimes it is not easy to get them from somewhere. The most difficult thing is to get emotions out of yourself and support everyone when the guys drooped. At the same time, you also need to play yourself, and these are also emotions, so sometimes they are not enough.

“I want to slam the door and leave on a good note, taking the cup”

– Why did the SKA-1946 matches in the playoffs turn out so different in terms of the result: 3:2 and 7:1 in the series with the “Captain”, 3:1 and 8:2 with Dynamo Moscow?
– Perhaps when the matches go on in a row, some kind of fatigue accumulates. There are games when everything that we throw to the gate flies. And sometimes the puck just doesn’t go into the goal or the opponent’s goalkeeper catches the courage and can’t be broken through. I can’t say for sure what the reason is, it is influenced, among other things, by the mood of both teams. Basically, the most difficult games are the second ones. The first ones are still more lapping, incomprehensible, so there can be a devastating score, and in the next match the teams are already tuning in on each other. If the third game comes out devastating, then most likely, the last two meetings broke the opponent, as happened with Dynamo. We came to them leading 2-0 in the series. Perhaps someone no longer believed in victory.

– Over the past three years, SKA-1946 has gone through the first round without defeat.
– The moral component plays an important role here. Somehow it sits in the subcortex that we are from the top of the standings, we play against the guys from the bottom places, whom we have already met in the season. Therefore, we feel that we are performing better, because of this it is easier to go through the first rounds.

– How easy on the 3-0 side of the series does it not match reality?
– From the outside it seems that if we went 3-0, it was easy. But in fact, this is not at all the case, because every match is difficult. You’re even more tuned in to any playoff game. Even leading 2-0, losing one match, you will lead one game already. If you lose the next day, it will be 2-2 and the next match will be decisive. Only on paper 3-0 look easy.

– What was it like going into the first round with the “Captain” against Matvey Michkov?
– Before the series itself, there was increased attention to him, because he plays well, he is a master of his craft, he can score a goal at the right moment. When you go out on the ice, the names disappear and you somehow don’t even pay attention to who you are playing against. You only think about bringing results to your team. Mitch – well done, though for some reason he did not go well in that series. Maybe he just didn’t prepare or the factor of the last team put psychological pressure on him. We set ourselves up for regular games with a strong team. Perhaps it was necessary to play harder and more carefully, because he is still a skilled hockey player, he can cheat. We are glad that we passed the “Captain” and Michkov did not score lacrosse for us (smiles).

– How unexpected was it to see Michkov fighting?
– This is hockey, emotions took over, and he poured them out through the fight.

– In the 2021/2022 season, you noted that the main asset of the team is unity. Has anything changed in this cup competition?
– Yes, that’s right. I think you don’t have to talk about it – even from the stands you can see how we support each other, how the store lives and how we can stand up for each other, punish with a goal for being rude. Maybe cohesion doesn’t help as much in the regular season, because there can be relatively relaxed matches. And in the playoffs, everything is shoulder to shoulder, the only way to win and win the cup, cohesion helps more than ever in matches where there is no room for error.

– You have been playing in conjunction with Dmitry Buchelnikov for the second year already, did returning to the JHL with him make your adaptation as easy as possible?
– Yes, there were no difficulties, we have been playing with Dima for a long time, the second season together. It’s very nice to play when you have been feeling a partner for a long time, we constantly practice with him in training and already feel each other at the level that when he is behind me, I know where he will go and how I can give him a comfortable pass. When you feel the mutual “chemistry” – it’s very nice.

– “SKA-1946” – a team where any link can score. Is that a big advantage in the playoffs?
– I think this is the fattest plus in playoff games. You can rejoice both on the ice with your abandoned puck and on the bench with the guys. You can be sure that even if your link does not have a game, people from any link can come to the fore instead of you. There is no clear division into fives in the team, all the same, in the game after the first minority or majority, we have links hanging out.

– In your five JHL games in the regular season, you provided four assists but never scored. Didn’t you worry about it?
– No, it wasn’t. When younger players do not score, then they may have certain feelings, and when you have played enough games, you already understand that the main thing is to benefit the team. This can be done by giving a good pass, having a power pass or just cheering the guys on the bench. Now they are already moving away from thinking that the most important thing is a goal. It is clear that this is also a result and the hockey player always wants to be in the spotlight. If I manage to score, I’m just happy. If somewhere the puck does not go, then I will switch to a pass and help the team like that.

– Your statistics show a high utility score. In the playoffs with you, SKA-1946 scored seven times and never conceded. Do you track your scores?
– In the regular season, it is possible to keep track of goals and assists, because there are not so intense and frequent games. You can’t do it in the playoffs. I didn’t even know that I had “+7” and they didn’t let me pass in front of me, I didn’t even think about it, to be honest. If I still somehow keep goals and assists in my head, then I don’t follow the indicator of utility.

– One of the main differences in the MHL playoffs is a series of shots after overtime, if this is not a decisive match. How do you feel about this?
– Most likely this is correct. In any case, shootouts only appear in non-decisive matches, meaning if a team leads 2-0 in the series, there will be no shootouts in the third game. There is an opinion that a series of shots is random, but in any case, everything depends on the skill of the field and goalkeepers. It doesn’t bother me in any way, I just need to finish the job in regular time and not rely on luck.

– SKA-1946 haven’t won in a series of shots for a long time. Does the team have concerns about the problematic component?
– There are no experiences as such. I don’t think we won a single series last season either. We just don’t need to go to shootouts, we have to prove everything in the first three periods or manage to score in overtime … or already take shootouts (laughs).

– A series with the Omsk Hawks awaits you, what are your expectations?
– We’re really looking forward to the semi-finals, because, as the practice of last season showed, the semi-final series with Irbis turned out to be the most difficult for us. Although it is difficult to compare with the “Red Army”. With Kazan there was a moment when we could fly out at all – we saved ourselves in overtime. Lose then “SKA-1946”, we would not have seen any Cup, rings and gold medals. There are strong guys in the Omsk Hawks, although I didn’t follow their games, but sometimes some videos come across – they perform well. They have a very large majority. We will focus on defense, disassemble the minority, we are preparing for them as a strong and good team, so only forward.

– You haven’t met the Hawks on the ice before, do you think this is a problem?
– I can’t single it out as a minus, since the guys from that team have never played against us either, so it’s mutual, the matches will be more interesting. I also played against the same “Captain” for the first time, the first match was the most difficult for me, because I didn’t know what to prepare for. Watching their few encounters was not enough to understand their behavior on the ice. After the first three or four shifts, you understand the pace and the idea of ​​the game, it becomes not so difficult to switch to the hockey that will bring results.

– This is your last season in the JHL, will you be sad to leave the League?
– Not that sad. I understand that in any league and team there is some kind of logical conclusion, you need to give way to the younger guys so that they develop. I want to slam the door and leave on a good note, taking the Cup. Not for me, one of the team, this season is the last in the MHL. There are only pleasant emotions, both from the first season, when everything was new for you and every game was some kind of big event, and now. Matches are still a holiday.

“We are the champions of the past, we need to write a new history”

– Has the current team changed much compared to the champion line-up?
– It’s hard to compare teams, because now the same Maxim Krovyakov from our trio is not in the roster. It’s just that young blood is coming to us: fresh, hungry guys for whom this is the first playoff. In the early stages, youth still somehow influenced, but now everyone has rolled in.
These are two approximately equal teams, as evidenced by the result: just like last season we went through the first two rounds 3-0, so this one. Which team is stronger will be judged at the end of the season. If we defend the title, then everything will be clear.

– Does being the reigning champion add responsibility to the playoffs?
– I think that in any locker room of our rival, the coach’s words flashed the idea that we are the current champions, so we need to be approached more arrogant, confident and angry. One hundred percent tune in to us in a special way. It’s not pressing, it’s just that with the guys in everyday life we ​​understand that we are champions and we need to defend the title. But when we go out on the ice, everything is forgotten, we just play our hockey.

– After you have already raised the Kharlamov Cup over your head, is there any motivation to experience this feeling again?
– This is already being forgotten. When there was a championship, we were in the moment, the most valuable emotions remained there and the video. So we remember only when some video from that playoff comes across. Now we think only about this season. We are the champions in the past, we need to write a new story and try to win the second time in a row.

– How often do you review that playoff winning and personal scoring action?
– In the first week, even if we didn’t want to watch, we saw it anyway: we were tagged on social networks, our championship was constantly popping up on Youtube. So, of course, they reviewed it. It was nice when all the laurels went to us. There may be something going on this season too. Sometimes I can’t sleep on the weekend and at three o’clock in the morning a video pops up, a combination with my participation or just moments of the championship. Especially somewhere to look for such videos is not about me.

– One of the most memorable combinations with your participation was the transfer to the winning lacrosse of Matvey Michkov in the last match. What then happened on the ice?
– If Mitch is out of the net, it’s mostly lacrosse. But then for some reason I didn’t think about it, I counted on the continuation of the attack or the transfer. In one of the matches with the Red Army, he tried to throw lacrosse, the goalkeeper knew this and simply set a trap in the top corner. Therefore, in training, Michkov practiced lower lacrosse at knee level. I gave the transfer, I look: he starts to lift the puck on the hook and lays it down. The goalkeeper is at a loss, I also did not understand what happened (smiles). He puts this puck in and goes to celebrate, we go to him, the stands rejoice, the shop is in shock. No one understood anything but him. Mitch is the only one who knew what he would do.

– Some SKA-1946 players noted the severity of the Kharlamov Cup itself.
– He was pretty good. If you compare, it’s about like a neck in the hall. But we raise them regularly, so there was no difficulty (smiles). On the contrary, when I raised the Cup, I experienced a pleasant investment, euphoria. We went to the fans, all the cameras looked at us, it was very nice.

– All of the SKA-1946 champions were given rings, tell us about them.
– Almost immediately after the championship, we found out about the rings, everyone was really looking forward to them. It turned out that they were ready only by the middle of the season. Emotions have already cooled down, but it was still very pleasant. Many thanks to the management for making such championship rings for us. This is a memory for life, plus it is very beautiful in itself. Of course, you can’t go anywhere with him, because he is heavy and looks huge on his finger (smiles). After 20 years, you can look at such things and re-experience victorious emotions.

“The stories of Tankov and Miroshnichenko motivate people not to stop”

– Dmitry Buchelnikov was seriously injured in the championship play-off semi-finals. Is there such a thing as a “hunt” for strong opponent players?
– If this is a power hold according to the rules, I have a positive attitude towards it. After all, if the rules are not violated, then you yourself are probably wrong, since you approached this power force in a relaxed way, you were not ready. If the blow is dirty and leads to serious injury, of course I have a negative attitude.

– You also had a serious injury – a cruciate ligament rupture in 2019. How did this injury come about?
– The injury was received during the transition from children’s hockey to the JHL, this was my eighth match at a new level. In any case, the anthropometry of the guys was completely different, they were three or four years older than me, this also affected. I didn’t think how long my journey would be, so it wasn’t that hard to deal with the injury. It’s just that every day was like Groundhog Day: recovery – school – home. Relatives, relatives, friends and partners helped me a lot. During the injury period, I was constantly asked: “Well, when on the ice?”. I said that a month later, and a month later I was still not allowed. Then they asked me again, I called a period of two weeks, but in the end I was again not allowed. It was difficult to come to the locker room and to the team’s matches, to watch how the guys train, go on trips. If you look back now, the recovery was very long, but if you don’t think about it, then it’s not as difficult as it seems.

– Have you ever thought about quitting hockey during this period?
– There were no such thoughts at all, because I was constantly at work and engaged in restoration. I was always treated by professionals at the medical center, plus my contract was never ending, so there were no worries. The SKA system helped me to have an operation, recover and get back on my skates. Due to the fact that I was constantly in business, the thought of finishing did not creep in.

– The 2019/2020 season you missed was a record for the team in terms of the length of the winning streak. Did the emotions of the players add motivation to return to hockey faster?
– Of course, it was very motivating. I looked at the guys, I saw how happy they were. They also wrote to me, we kept in touch, it also helped. At such moments, you understand that everything is not in vain, especially when there is daily progress. After two weeks, you have already removed the crutches, after a couple of months you can easily run and jump. Seeing how the guys were winning, I wanted to get back to them as soon as possible. He remembered our joint trips, jokes, because of positive thoughts, the healing process accelerated.

– There are other examples of the heroic return of hockey players to the ice. For example, Kirill Tankov, who is recovering, or Ivan Miroshnichenko, who has returned to hockey. How do you feel about such stories?
– It is clear that I am not the only one, there are not ten or even a hundred serious injuries. Basically, such damage is not actively disclosed, so it is difficult to find many similar stories. But you still know some names, including those of my peers. Kirill Tankov is now recovering, we communicate with him from time to time, he feels great and is recovering successfully. Ivan Miroshnichenko had a very serious diagnosis, but he bravely went through everything. Stories like this keep me going. When people with less significant problems look at those who cope with serious diagnoses or injuries, they realize that their problem is not so terrible. They change their thinking, stop being driven. I hope that my case will help and motivate someone, if they find out about it at all (smiles).

– How was your education during that period?
– The most inconvenient thing was that I had to train at seven in the morning and after two hours of training on the ground I got ready to take the subway to the school, which was not close. If it wasn’t for my studies, I just don’t know what I would be doing. Perhaps in this free time, unnecessary thoughts would be imposed in my head. I was busy preparing for the exam, so I managed to direct my energy in the right direction.

– Share your success on the exam.
– Biology I have 67 points, Russian – 75, entered the NSU. P.F. Lesgaft on the coach. Among our players, this is a common practice, because after a playing career, you want to continue to connect your life with hockey. I started cramming biology from scratch six months before the exam, I managed to pass it with a good result. I didn’t really prepare for Russian, it was in my head: “How can I not pass Russian if I studied all 11 classes normally and I know the rules?” Therefore, I forgot to prepare a little. If I had prepared, perhaps I would have passed by 85-90 points.

– As a future coach, are you already beginning to emphasize something for yourself in the work of mentors?
– This happens unconsciously. If you have become attached to some coach and you like the way he treats the players or you personally, in any case, you start to draw tactics, advice or something else. This can come from childhood, when the child’s brain is not strong and he absorbs anything: the coach will say something, you memorize it and take it into your vocabulary.

“Our only task is to win, now in SKA-1946″

– You improved SKA-1946 by returning from the VHL after being eliminated in the first round. What didn’t work there?
– Specifically in that series, the fifth match was fatal: we lost 3:0. It was a turning point, after which the “Forge” took the series and moved on. We had good motivation because we were down 0-2 in the series, came home and won both games in front of our fans. We just didn’t tune in, so we lost the turning point match and were eliminated from the Petrov Cup. In any case, in the playoffs, one of the teams always unexpectedly flies out, so it happened with SKA-Neva. It turned out the way it happened – this is hockey, you can’t predict the result here.

– After this, did you return to the JHL in a sporting evil way?
– There was no sports anger because that stage was over. The management said that we need to tune in to another championship and not live in the past, start everything from scratch and with a fresh head. We were told that there was no point in thinking about past defeats, our only task was to win already in SKA-1946.

– You were recognized as the best rookie of the week and month in the VHL, what helped you to have such a successful debut season at the senior level?
– The maximum trust of the coaches helped, they gave a lot of playing time. When you feel like the coach has confidence in you, that confidence translates into points and performance on the ice. The guys from the VHL also supported me, shared their experience. Dima Buchelnikov joined the team almost at the same time as me, so it was also easier. We played against each other and earned points. Therefore, the transition was not difficult, all thanks to the support of the team and the trust of the coaches.

– After the VHL, does the junior team feel lighter in terms of speed, power play and other components?
– The MHL doesn’t feel any easier, it’s just that each league has its own strengths. In the VHL, you have less time to make decisions, because of this you feel the opponent’s defense is tighter and you understand that you need to move faster and get rid of the puck. In the youth team, they take more speed and enthusiasm, the MHL captivates with its unpredictability. I have not been able to find out where it is more difficult to play, everything has its pros and cons.

– In the VHL you go to face-offs, why don’t you practice the game on the “point” in the MHL?
– In the VHL, I went to the “point” mainly in the majority, our combination was tied to this. In the JHL, we already have slightly different combinations, in the majority team there is a central one, so I don’t get up for face-offs.

– Your debut in the KHL took place. What did you experience when you learned about the call to the main team?
– There was a wild excitement when they called and said that I would play for the first team. At that time I was on the road with SKA-Neva. It was very nice that they paid attention to me and gave me a chance. Even just getting there already says a lot. So they talk about you, you are not forgotten. Maybe I was not allowed to play for a long time, but in any case it was very valuable to be with the guys on the bench. Everyone supported, said that you need to concentrate on the game and not worry about anything. Only positive emotions remained from the debut.

– After the shift in the KHL, did the desire to return to the arches of the “Ice” increase?
– Of course, this is a wild motivation. You have clearly shown your goal. What you work for, what you sweat in training, is captivating. If I was entrusted with only one shift, then I have to work on myself even more.

“The guys in SKA-1946 often play chess”

– You were born in the town of Fokino, Primorsky Krai, what can you tell us about this place?
– This is a small town in Primorsky Krai, not far from Vladivostok. It so happened that my father served there in the navy and at the time of my birth the family was there. I don’t remember much because I lived in Fokino until I was two years old, after which I moved to Kuznetsk. This is also a small town where my whole family lives. My hockey path began in a small town in the Penza region.

– The Penza school is rich in its pupils. The system lacks a club in the MHL?
– Yes, maybe it’s time to move from the NMHL to the MHL. Statistics show that the guys from Penza are achieving serious results. The leadership of Penza should think about moving to a new level and open a team in the MHL so that young people have a place to develop and the guys do not leave for other cities.

– Do you feel comfortable in a power struggle with the current dimensions (180/80)?
– Yes, although the power struggle mainly depends on weight and anthropometric data. But it is also important how a person stands on skates and rides. If the center of gravity is lowered, it will be easier for the player to fight. There are many factors for a successful power struggle. Weight is only one of them, a power struggle can be waged even with the data that I had before.

– In one of your interviews, you said that no matter what quality you train, you can build a career on it. What qualities do you consider the most important?
– I think it’s just a power struggle, speed. I want to have the maximum number of trump cards, but now the speed, thinking and vision of the site are the main factors.

– How did you manage the Kharlamov Cup?
– It so happened that the Kharlamov Cup was mainly at the disposal of the team, so it was not possible to get it home – they did not agree on the dates. So the Cup did not fly to Kuznetsk and Penza.

– Should the Kharlamov Cup be won again in Kuznetsk?
– Yes, of course. I want to take him to my homeland, especially since Nikita Smirnov is still with me from there. We will bring the cup to our Rubin school, show the little boys, show what you can strive for. Maybe they will draw something for themselves and the trophy will help motivate someone to continue playing hockey.

– As a child, you played chess, this sport is common among hockey players. Who would you like to play with?
– Many guys are fond of chess, because they develop thinking. Thinking one step ahead is important both on the chessboard and on the ice.