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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Frequently Asked Questions
 

Q: How can coaches keep players focused during December practices?

A: Coaches can keep players focused by shortening drills, increasing the pace, adding competitive elements, and focusing each practice on one clear objective. These adjustments help maintain engagement during a busy and distracting time of year.

Q: How long should hockey drills be during December practices?

A: Coaches can switch to shorter 7-9 minute drill blocks to keep practices more dynamic. Shorter blocks help players stay mentally engaged, react faster, and absorb teaching points without allowing the practice to drag.

Q: Why should coaches add competition to December practices?

A: Adding competition helps prevent complacency and immediately raises player engagement. Small-area games, timed races, and 1v1 or 2v2 battles can increase intensity while keeping practices fun and focused.

Q: How can CoachThem help with December hockey practice planning?

A: CoachThem gives coaches access to high-quality hockey drills, small-area games, and teaching progressions that can help spark new ideas and keep practices organized. It makes it easier to build focused sessions and maintain momentum during a busy month.

Tuesday, December 16th 2025

Written by Steve Lauzon in collaboration with CoachThem

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