---
title: Articles | 4Check Hockey
description: Coaching | Discover weekly tips, insightful articles, and essential tools to enhance your skills as a hockey player, coach, or parent. Learn how to effectively use our custom hockey dummies for training, checking, contact, injury prevention, and concussion prevention.
---
[](https://4checkhockey.com/)
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4Check Hockey
# Articles
Weekly tips and insight on player development, confidence, team culture, and safe contact, for players, coaches, and parents.
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-freedom-to-play)
4Check Hockey
## [The Freedom to Play](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-freedom-to-play)
A 9/11 reflection from 4Check Hockey
Jon Francisco · September 08, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/theyre-watching-more-than-youre-teaching)
4Check Hockey
## [They're Watching More Than You're Teaching](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/theyre-watching-more-than-youre-teaching)
One of the greatest things about hockey is that it teaches lessons that extend far beyond the rink. Coaches spend hours ...
Jon Francisco · July 27, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/developing-hockey-players-means-more-than-teaching-skills)
4Check Hockey
## [Developing Hockey Players Means More Than Teaching Skills](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/developing-hockey-players-means-more-than-teaching-skills)
When most people think about player development, they picture skating drills, shooting stations, and puck handling ...
Jon Francisco · July 13, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-does-player-development-actually-mean)
4Check Hockey
## [What Does "Player Development" Actually Mean?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-does-player-development-actually-mean)
Player development is one of the most talked about concepts in hockey. Ask ten coaches what development means and ...
Jon Francisco · July 07, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/game-realism-the-missing-link-in-player-development)
4Check Hockey
## [Game Realism: The Missing Link in Player Development](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/game-realism-the-missing-link-in-player-development)
One of the most common frustrations for coaches and parents is watching players perform well in practice, only to ...
Jon Francisco · June 15, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-physical-play)
4Check Hockey
## [How To Talk To Your Child About Physical Play](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-physical-play)
For many parents, physical play is the most misunderstood part of hockey. You want your child to be confident and ...
Jon Francisco · May 18, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-this-is-the-best-time-of-year-for-a-hockey-fan)
Hockey Skills
## [Why This Is the Best Time of Year for a Hockey Fan](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-this-is-the-best-time-of-year-for-a-hockey-fan)
There is no better time of year to be a hockey fan than right now, because the Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun. The ...
Jon Francisco · April 21, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-teaching-angling-matters)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Teaching Angling Matters](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-teaching-angling-matters)
For years, physical play in hockey has been taught backwards. Players are told to finish checks, separate the man from ...
Jon Francisco · March 30, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-serious-knee-on-knee-hits-really-are)
4Check Hockey
## [⚠️ How Serious Knee on Knee Hits Really Are](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-serious-knee-on-knee-hits-really-are)
Knee on knee contact is one of the most dangerous and career threatening actions in hockey. Unlike high speed body ...
Jon Francisco · March 16, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-a-winning-culture-looks-like)
4Check Hockey
## [What A Winning Culture Looks Like](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-a-winning-culture-looks-like)
Playoff time always brings out the truth in teams. The pace rises, space disappears, and every mistake feels bigger. ...
Jon Francisco · March 04, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-2)
4Check Hockey
## [The Pressure Cooker: Why Kids Quit Sports (Part 2)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-2)
Pressure in youth sports has reached an all-time high. Kids feel it, parents feel it, and coaches feel it. What was ...
Jon Francisco · January 19, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-1)
4Check Hockey
## [The Pressure Cooker: Why Kids Quit Sports (Part 1)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-1)
Our goal when teaching our kids about sports was simple: teach them to love the game. It does not matter what game it ...
Jon Francisco · January 14, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/are-private-lessons-worth-the-money)
4Check Hockey
## [Are Private Lessons Worth The Money?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/are-private-lessons-worth-the-money)
The ol’ question in youth sports: “What’s the Return on Investment (ROI)?” Before we tackle this subject, understand ...
Jon Francisco · November 19, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-bench-isnt-a-graveyard-its-untapped-potential)
4Check Hockey
## [The Bench Isn’t a Graveyard, It’s Untapped Potential](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-bench-isnt-a-graveyard-its-untapped-potential)
As a coach, your job isn’t just to win games, it’s to build a team. That means developing every player, not just the ...
Jon Francisco · November 05, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/3-most-common-mistakes-coaches-make-teaching-contact-how-to-fix-them)
4Check Hockey
## [3 Most Common Mistakes Coaches Make Teaching Contact & How to Fix Them](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/3-most-common-mistakes-coaches-make-teaching-contact-how-to-fix-them)
Teaching contact in youth hockey is one of the most critical, and misunderstood, aspects of player development. When ...
Jon Francisco · October 29, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockeys-silent-struggle)
4Check Hockey
## [Youth Hockey’s Silent Struggle](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockeys-silent-struggle)
Youth hockey is more than just a game—it’s a lifestyle for many families. Early mornings, long drives, tournament ...
Jon Francisco · September 17, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/coach-own-your-screw-ups)
4Check Hockey
## [Coach, Own Your Screw-Ups](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/coach-own-your-screw-ups)
Why Admitting Mistakes Builds Stronger Teams In youth hockey, coaches are often seen as the ones who set the tone, make ...
Jon Francisco · September 10, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/stars-get-hype-role-players-get-ice-time)
4Check Hockey
## [Stars Get Hype—Role Players Get Ice Time](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/stars-get-hype-role-players-get-ice-time)
In hockey, it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reels—the toe drags, top-shelf snipes, and buzzer-beaters. But ...
Jon Francisco · August 27, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/define-your-game-or-someone-else-will)
4Check Hockey
## [Define Your Game—Or Someone Else Will](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/define-your-game-or-someone-else-will)
Every hockey player faces a unique challenge: how to absorb coaching while still playing the game in a way that feels ...
Jon Francisco · August 20, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/your-kids-are-walking-reflections-of-you...and-coaches-notice)
4Check Hockey
## [Your KIDS are walking reflections of YOU...And Coaches Notice](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/your-kids-are-walking-reflections-of-you...and-coaches-notice)
Here's the truth, any good coach that has been around for a bit knows, kids are a direct reflection of their parents. ...
Jon Francisco · August 13, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-parents-really-struggle-with-in-youth-sports)
4Check Hockey
## [What Parents Really Struggle With in Youth Sports](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-parents-really-struggle-with-in-youth-sports)
Behind the sidelines: the emotional, financial, and personal toll of raising young athletes
Jon Francisco · July 23, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-coaches-want-top-3-traits-of-great-athletes)
4Check Hockey
## [What Coaches Want: Top 3 Traits of Great Athletes](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-coaches-want-top-3-traits-of-great-athletes)
Athletes often wonder what it takes to stand out—not just on the field, but in the eyes of their coaches. While talent ...
Jon Francisco · July 09, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-a-great-coach-matters-more-than-a-perfect-record)
4Check Hockey
## [Why a Great Coach Matters More Than a Perfect Record](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-a-great-coach-matters-more-than-a-perfect-record)
In the world of youth hockey, it’s easy to get caught up in the scoreboard. Parents cheer for wins, players chase ...
Jon Francisco · June 25, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-skipping-summer-tournaments-might-be-the-best-move)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Skipping Summer Tournaments Might Be the Best Move](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-skipping-summer-tournaments-might-be-the-best-move)
As summer rolls in, many families in the youth hockey world feel the pressure to keep their kids on the ice through a ...
Jon Francisco · June 18, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/more-isnt-better-the-hockey-trap-too-many-parents-fall-into)
4Check Hockey
## [More Isn’t Better: The Hockey Trap Too Many Parents Fall Into](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/more-isnt-better-the-hockey-trap-too-many-parents-fall-into)
Think about this scenario: You ask your child if they like candy, and they reply, “Yes, I want candy every day!” Would ...
Jon Francisco · May 27, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/utilizing-4check-hockey-dummies-for-more-than-just-checking)
4Check Hockey
## [Utilizing 4Check Hockey Dummies for More Than Just Checking](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/utilizing-4check-hockey-dummies-for-more-than-just-checking)
At 4Check Hockey, we pride ourselves on providing innovative training tools that enhance player development. Our ...
Jon Francisco · May 14, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/summer-training-balancing-focus-fun-for-both-parents-kids)
4Check Hockey
## [Summer Training: Balancing Focus & Fun for Both Parents & Kids](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/summer-training-balancing-focus-fun-for-both-parents-kids)
Summer is an excellent time for young hockey players to focus on improving their skills and conditioning. However, it's ...
Jon Francisco · May 01, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/let-your-child-fail-its-ok)
4Check Hockey
## [Let Your Child Fail: It's OK](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/let-your-child-fail-its-ok)
When you first encouraged your child to play sports, it was likely for the life lessons they would learn—lessons that ...
Jon Francisco · February 26, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/has-hockey-gotten-soft)
4Check Hockey
## [Has Hockey Gotten "Soft"?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/has-hockey-gotten-soft)
Hockey, a sport known for its intense physicality and fast-paced action, has undergone significant changes over the ...
Jon Francisco · January 29, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/will-hockey-ever-get-away-from-contact-and-checking)
4Check Hockey
## [Will hockey ever get away from contact and checking?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/will-hockey-ever-get-away-from-contact-and-checking)
Ice hockey is known for its physicality, and checking is a fundamental part of the game in both men's and women's ...
Jon Francisco · January 22, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/overcoming-the-fear-of-body-contact-in-youth-hockey)
4Check Hockey
## [Overcoming the Fear of Body Contact in Youth Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/overcoming-the-fear-of-body-contact-in-youth-hockey)
Body contact is an integral part of hockey, and for many young players, it can be a source of anxiety. However, with ...
Jon Francisco · January 16, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-crucial-role-of-parents-in-preventing-youth-hockey-concussions)
4Check Hockey
## [The Crucial Role of Parents in Managing Youth Hockey Concussions](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-crucial-role-of-parents-in-preventing-youth-hockey-concussions)
Youth hockey is an exhilarating sport that teaches teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. However, it also comes with ...
Jon Francisco · January 16, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/understanding-traumatic-brain-injuries-tbi-in-ice-hockey)
4Check Hockey
## [Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in Ice Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/understanding-traumatic-brain-injuries-tbi-in-ice-hockey)
Ice hockey is a thrilling and intense sport, but it also carries a significant risk of injury, particularly traumatic ...
Jon Francisco · January 08, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/winning-puck-battles-the-key-to-hockey-success)
4Check Hockey
## [Winning Puck Battles: The Key to Hockey Success](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/winning-puck-battles-the-key-to-hockey-success)
The Importance of Winning Puck Battles in Hockey In the fast-paced world of hockey, winning puck battles is a crucial ...
Jon Francisco · December 18, 2024
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-coaches-must-master-safe-checking-and-concussion-prevention-in-youth-hockey)
4Check Hockey
## [The Essential Role of Coaches in Teaching Safe Checking and Concussion Prevention in Youth Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-coaches-must-master-safe-checking-and-concussion-prevention-in-youth-hockey)
Why Coaches Need to Learn Proper Contact, Checking, and Concussion Prevention in Hockey
Jon Francisco · December 11, 2024
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/prevent-injuries-and-concussions-with-4check-hockeys-training-program)
4Check Hockey
## [Prevent Injuries and Concussions with 4Check Hockey’s Training Program](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/prevent-injuries-and-concussions-with-4check-hockeys-training-program)
Should We Ban Checking Completely? While the obvious thought may be, "Let’s just ban checking and contact in all of ...
Jon Francisco · November 11, 2024
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