Don't be the Last in Hockey to Discover InneBandy!

Just in case you still might doubt this old coach is ahead of the curve...

-- Dennis Chighisola

Don't be the Last in Hockey to Discover Innebandy!

Some of your favorite European players, who are showing their stuff in the NHL today, grew up with innebandy (or floorball). As you'll discover in the following video, the National Hockey League is getting into it, Hockey Canada started using the sport about 8-years ago, while I learned about it and started promoting it -- as a great cross-trainer for hockey players -- about 3- or 4-years ago. With that, don't take my word for it, but check out this video... Now, long time members know I've forever been steering my students, players and you away from year-round hockey, or specializing too much in that sport. As I've suggested, playing ice hockey for close to 12-months out of the year tends to limit a developing youngster's growth in athleticism, and I even believe it ultimately subjects players to certain kinds of injury. So, probably since about 1980, I've been recommending that players put their skates away for at least a few months, and undertake the likes of dryland exercises, strength training, and certain track events, as well as sports like baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and roller hockey. For sure, I'm thinking about the physical benefits involved here, but I'm also very much concerned about the awesome mental distractions -- and mental challenges -- these activities promise. Better yet, I like my guys to get away and try something else so that they ultimately die to return to the ice. Now, along comes innebandy -- or floorball, offering a myriad of physical and mental challenges that are close to hockey yet far enough removed to make an off-season fun and extremely productive -- especially for young hockey players. So, want to find a floorball program in your area? Or, might you consider starting a program yourself? Stay tuned, because I think I (and a number of others) will be able to help you very soon!