In this episode of the On Call Coaches Podcast, Coach Switz and Coach Zane kick things off talking about Zane’s gig coaching 6U and 8U Lady Cyclones. Zane’s loving it, even though half the time the kids are more worried about getting ice cream afterward than learning how to score goals. But hey, that’s half the fun.

They chat about keeping sports fun for the little ones, especially when parents start getting a bit too serious. Zane shares how his 8-year-old just flipped the switch and started asking for extra ice time and training. They hit home that it’s all about letting kids find their own passion for the game.

Then they bring in the big guns: Coach Joe Kavanaugh, a St. Louis guy who lit it up at Pattonville High and then played at Minnesota’s ACHA team—oh, and he’s got a degree in physics because apparently, he didn’t think college hockey was hard enough. Joe talks about living the Minnesota hockey dream—outdoor rinks everywhere and endless shinny.

Joe now crushes it as a private video coach at STL Hockey Training. He breaks down how video analysis is the new secret sauce for players looking to up their game. You send in your clips, and for just $4 a minute, you’ll get feedback that can help you fix what’s not working. It’s a no-brainer if you want to separate yourself from the pack.

It’s a laid-back episode with a lot of laughs, some solid advice for parents, and tips for players who want to take their game to the next level.

Timeline:

• 0:00 - 1:00 | Introduction

• • Hosts Coach Switz and Coach Zane introduce the podcast.

  • They start with small talk about coaching experiences and teams.

• 1:00 - 4:30 | Coaching 6U and 8U Teams

• • Coach Zane talks about coaching the 6U and 8U Lady Cyclones teams.

  • Discusses the joy of coaching young kids and the differences from coaching older age groups.

  • Funny moments and lighthearted stories from coaching young players.

• 4:30 - 8:30 | Parenting and Coaching Philosophy

• • The conversation shifts towards how to encourage kids to stay engaged with hockey.

  • Coaches talk about keeping the game fun for young players and encouraging a lifelong love for the sport.

• 8:30 - 10:45 | Guest Introduction: Coach Joe Kavanaugh

• • The hosts introduce Coach Joe Kavanaugh, providing background on his hockey career.

  • They discuss his playing experience in St. Louis and at the University of Minnesota.

• 10:45 - 13:30 | Balancing College and Sports

• • Coach Joe talks about balancing his physics degree with playing college hockey.

  • He describes the challenges of time management, especially after road trips.

• 13:30 - 15:30 | Minnesota Hockey Culture

• • Joe describes the differences between St. Louis and Minnesota’s hockey culture, including outdoor rinks at every park.

• 15:30 - 18:00 | Use of Video in Coaching

• • Joe shares his experience with video sessions as a player and how video coaching has evolved.

  • Discussion on the importance of video as a differentiator for skill development.

• 18:00 - 19:45 | Video Coaching Process

• • Joe talks about his current work as a private hockey coach at STL Hockey Training.

  • He discusses how he uses video analysis with players, focusing on both broad and specific areas for improvement.

• 19:45 - 21:45 | Video Coaching Pricing

• • Joe outlines the cost for video coaching: $4 per minute.

  • Typical video feedback comes back 3-4 times longer than the video submitted, offering detailed insights.

• 21:45 - 23:30 | Closing Remarks

• • The hosts thank Coach Joe for being a guest.

  • Final wrap-up and sign-off from the hosts, with light-hearted banter about the heat in the studio.