Kendall Coyne Schofield, the captain of the USA Women’s National Team, and a Player Development Coach for the Chicago Blackhawks discusses the benefits of a Battle Practice Day.
Kendall explains how her teams at Northeastern College, and the USA Women’s National Team utilize different formats of a Battle Practice Day.
- Northeastern College created a year long competition where the battle practice was on every Monday. They broke up their team into 2 groups and kept score of all of the games throughout the year. The team with the most points at the end of the season was awarded a trophy.
- The USA Women's National Team divides the team up into 2 groups and keeps score just for that day. At the end of practice, the losing team might find themselves doing log rolls, sprints or extra clean up duty while the winning team celebrates. This format allows coaches to modify the teams weekly so players get a chance to play with other teammates.
Both formats help a team further bond through communication, hard work, competition, and fun. Below we have links of resources you can use to create your own Battle Day.
Battle Day Practice Examples
Battle Day Drills & Games
Battle Day Setup
- Coaches should work to make two even teams.
- Keep score! Award points at the end of a game and tally them up at the end of practice.
- Coaches can also award fun trophies at the end of the day like MVP, or Hardest Worker, Etc.
- Coaches can rotate goalies. We have game ideas if you only have one goalie, or if you have no goalies.
- Encourage teammates to cheer for each other, and their teams.
- Coaches can get creative with scoring, and games.
- Create a practice, and have fun!
We would like to thank Kendall for sharing this information with the IHS Community, and all that she has done for the game of hockey!
More About Kendall
Kendall has won six gold medals at the IIHF World Women’s Championship and a Gold Medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. In 2019, Kendall became the first woman to compete in a NHL All-Stars skills competition. She played college hockey at Northeastern and during her senior year she was awarded the the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top female college ice hockey player in the United States.
Visit Kendall's Contributor Page where you can learn more about her, connect with her on social, watch her documentary, and purchase her new book, "As Fast As Her."