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August Coaching Guide with Coach Steve Lauzon

We're excited to welcome Coach Steve Lauzon to the CoachThem Influencer Program! Steve brings a thoughtful and practical approach to coaching that aligns perfectly with our mission to help coaches plan better, stay organized, and lead with confidence. In his first blog with us, Steve shares a clear, actionable game plan for August - a crucial month for setting your season up for success.

Bonjour coaches, I’m thrilled to join the CoachThem and contribute to this amazing coaching community. My mission is simple: to help you better plan your hockey season, run purposeful practices, and coach with confidence.

Why August Is a Crucial Month for Hockey Coaches

Summer is the perfect time to slow things down and look ahead. If you’ve just been selected as a head coach for the upcoming minor hockey season, August is your opportunity to lay a solid foundation. Here are three essential steps to take this month - your coaching blueprint for the season ahead:

1. Define Your Coaching Philosophy

This is the most important step - and ironically, the one many coaches skip.

Your coaching philosophy is your internal compass. It will guide your decisions all season long, especially during tough moments like:

A player questioning your authority
A parent challenging your choices
A losing streak that tests your resolve

Start by asking yourself:

Why do I coach?
What 3 to 5 values do I want to instill in my players?

Then, write a short draft of your philosophy. If possible, create a personal coaching slogan - something meaningful you’ll repeat to your players and staff. This helps establish a strong, intentional team culture.

For example, my team’s slogan is Team First - Always. I say it every single time I step into the dressing room. Over time, the players know exactly what it means. The more I repeat it, the more it becomes ingrained in our team culture.

2. Set Realistic Goals Based on Your Team’s Reality

Also, tailor your goals to your group’s level. A U11 house league team and a U13 travel team won’t have the same needs.

Focus on what your players are ready to learn - not just what you want to teach. If they’re still struggling with pivots, prioritize edgework and transitions before jumping into complex breakout drills.

3. Break the Season into Segments and Assign Priorities

A minor hockey season can stretch across 7–8 months, which is overwhelming if you try to manage it all at once.

Solution? Divide the season into four segments. Smaller blocks make it easier to:

Set focused objectives
Track progress
Adjust your plan as needed

Each segment can have a theme. For example:

Segment 1 → Individual skills
Segment 2 → Team systems
Segment 3 → Special teams
Segment 4 → Playoffs

Limit each segment to 2–3 priorities. Don’t overload. Once something is mastered (or as close as we get in minor hockey), replace it with a new focus.

This approach keeps your coaching aligned with your long-term vision - and helps avoid reactive decisions based on tournament results or parent pressure.

By the time your first practice rolls around, you’ll have a clear plan ready to share with your association, assistants, players, and parents.

Let’s make this your most structured, rewarding season yet.

To learn more about Steve, CLICK HERE. Follow him on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for coaching tips, drills, and updates.

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Bon coaching!