December: A Critical Stretch for Every Coach

Coach, we’re heading into one of the most critical months of the season. December hits fast. Long school days, road tournaments, family dinners, holiday activities… and players buzzing because Christmas is just around the corner. In other words, it’s the perfect setup for slipping focus, dropping intensity, and slowly drifting into complacency.

I’ve seen so many teams cruising in November… only to return in January looking like they’re starting over from scratch.

The good news?

You can avoid that. With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your group engaged, focused, and moving forward even in the most chaotic month of the season.

1) Shorten Your Drills & Increase the Pace

December practices don’t need more content.

They need more tempo.

Switch to 7-9 minute blocks.

Same concept, same progression… just shorter and more dynamic.

What it changes:

Players stay mentally locked in.
They move more, react faster, and absorb the teaching better.
You keep the practice flowing instead of dragging.

2) Add a Competitive Element to EVERY Practice

In December, complacency creeps in fast.

The way to stop it is to inject competition.

One short competitive moment is enough to wake up the group:

Small-area game
Timed race
1v1 or 2v2 battles
Simple consequence for the losing team (picking up pucks works every time)

Why it works: Competition instantly raises engagement. When kids care about the outcome, intensity naturally follows.

3) Stick to ONE Clear Objective per Practice

December is not the month to overload players with new systems.

Keep your team on track by focusing on one clear priority at a time.

Examples:

First pass
Pressure on the puck carrier
Backchecking
Angling
Gap control
Defensive-zone coverage
1–2–2 forecheck
And more…

Build your drills around that single objective and repeat it.

Simple messages stick. Complex ones don’t, especially this time of year.

Use CoachThem to Your Advantage

If you’re looking for fresh ideas to support your practices this month, CoachThem is a great place to turn. You’ll find a wide range of high-quality hockey drills, small-area games, and teaching progressions from several excellent contributors in the marketplace.

When your December planning starts to feel heavy or repetitive, CoachThem is an easy way to spark new ideas and keep your sessions sharp.

December tests coaches just as much as players. The schedule gets messy, the energy shifts, and focus becomes harder to maintain. But with a clear plan, a steady approach, and the right adjustments, you can turn this month into an advantage rather than a setback.

Keep it simple. Keep your group engaged. And keep moving forward - one focused practice at a time.

Bon coaching!

- Coach Steve

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

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