A practical coaching guide built for the real rink
The Next Shift is designed for youth hockey coaches who want to lead with greater confidence, organize better practices, develop stronger players, and build a team culture that extends beyond wins and losses.
Lead with purpose
Build trust, set expectations, and become the steady presence young athletes need.
Teach more effectively
Turn coaching concepts into clear, age-appropriate instruction players can understand and apply.
Develop the whole player
Strengthen skills, confidence, character, accountability, and resilience on and off the ice.
Create a positive experience
Build a healthy team culture and communicate effectively with players, parents, and fellow coaches.
Explore the contents
Five parts take you from your purpose as a coach to teaching the game, leading people, developing players and building a program.
- Part I — The Coach
- Part II — Teaching the Game
- Part III — Leading People
- Part IV — Building Players
- Part V — Building a Program
Also includes the introduction, Every Shift Matters; the intermission, The Locker Room; an epilogue; and a coach’s self-assessment and season planning workbook.
A few chapters to look forward to
- Why Kids Really Play Hockey
- Trust Is Your First System
- Correct Without Crushing Confidence
- Parents Are Partners
- Planning an Entire Season
Praise for The Next Shift
“It’s clear that years of coaching knowledge have gone into this book.”
Readers’ Favorite praised The Next Shift as a practical, easy-to-use youth hockey coaching guide grounded in what coaches actually do on the ice.
“The writing gives every lesson a useful place in coaching, then backs the teaching with exercises coaches can bring into practice.”
For volunteer, developing, and experienced youth coaches
The book combines practical strategies with real-world coaching perspective. It is written to be useful at the rink—not just inspiring on the page—so coaches can apply its ideas throughout a season.
Get The Next Shift
The Next Shift is available now from Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble.