http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com Partnering with Youth Sports Families Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:45:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hockey season is long so effective communication is key to a smooth season. Managers can make the season flow smoothly and put parents at ease by using the communication strategies listed below: 1. Make a spreadsheet with each player’s name, number, parents’ names, telephone numbers, and e-mail address.  Send this information to all parents ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/team-management/6-communication-strategies-for-team-managers/ On most youth teams, there are players who are physically two or three years ahead of their teammates in size, speed, or strength. These players often form a core of talent that coaches can use to their advantage to win games. Especially in youth travel and select ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/coaching/10-reasons-for-equal-playing-time/ Judging the success of a season is something that is easy for parents to do at any time. If kids are playing in a safe environment that is fun and is teaching the kids to be better people, then the season is going well. If, however, the  kids ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/parenting/when-life-deals-you-a-bad-season/ When shopping for sports equipment, keep in mind that most retailers offer discounts. Don’t make a significant purchase before checking to see if a discount or special offer is available for the equipment you want to buy. To check for available discounts, all you need to do is execute a search ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/equipment/do-this-before-buying-sports-equipment/ When our son was just starting Mite hockey, he often had difficulty learning where to position himself on the ice to be most effective.  We created “candy hockey” to help him learn proper positioning. We would either use a hockey rink clipboard or draw our own on a piece of paper ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/player-development/sweet-way-to-teach-your-player-about-positioning/ If you’re looking to build team spirit with trading pins or order customized gear bearing your team or association logo, SteelBerry Awards offers a huge selection of inexpensive custom products. Each product is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. But does SteelBerry deliver? Here’s our review of SteelBerryAwards.com. Overview: The SteelBerry ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/reviews/receive-custom-pins-and-awards-at-steelberry-awards/ In this article for parents and players, former NHL player and player development expert, Jeff Serowik, discusses how players can improve their mental toughness and perform consistently at a higher level. This is a message on mental toughness. When you reach a particular level in hockey, you will realize that mental ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/player-development/7-concepts-to-help-your-player-be-mentally-tough/ Colorado Avalanche Cares invites you to skate on the Pepsi Center Ice! The Colorado Avalanche is opening up the ice to Colorado Avalanche Cares friends and family.  You must bring your own skates.  The first 20 minutes will be open to those without skates to walk ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/news/team-news/skate-on-the-pepsi-center-ice/ Young players fear failure, even if they don’t admit it. And certain mistakes on your part can make such fears loom larger than they really should – large enough to cost the team a win, if the kids are too focused on the possibility of losing. To avoid making things worse, ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/player-development/top-mistake-to-avoid-when-motivating-your-players/ The intensity and emotion of a close competition can easily carry over into post-game discussions. It is often difficult for coaches to stop trying to manage the game after it is over. However, post-game conversations are not a part of the game. After all, nothing that is said after a ... http://www.coloradoavalanchecares.com/columns/coaching/coaches-5-tips-for-better-post-game-discussions/