--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: hockey 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. --- [![4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check%20Logo%202025_white.png)](https://4checkhockey.com/) [Programs](https://4checkhockey.com/pricing) [About](https://4checkhockey.com/about) [Resources](https://4checkhockey.com/resources) [Articles](https://4checkhockey.com/articles) [Members](https://4checkhockey.com/members) [Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) [Programs](https://4checkhockey.com/pricing) [About](https://4checkhockey.com/about) [Resources](https://4checkhockey.com/resources) [Articles](https://4checkhockey.com/articles) [Members](https://4checkhockey.com/members) [Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) 4Check Hockey # Articles Weekly tips and insight on player development, confidence, team culture, and safe contact, for players, coaches, and parents. [![They're Watching More Than You're Teaching](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/car%20ride%20home.jpeg)](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 [![Developing Hockey Players Means More Than Teaching Skills](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Player%20Development%20article%201.jpg)](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 [![What Does ](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Player%20Development%20part%201.1.jpg)](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 [![Building Confidence Through Repetition Without Risk](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Practice%20and%20repetition%20without%20risk.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/building-confidence-through-repetition-without-risk) 4Check Hockey ## [Building Confidence Through Repetition Without Risk](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/building-confidence-through-repetition-without-risk) Confidence is one of the most valuable traits a hockey player can have, but it is also one of the most misunderstood. ... Jon Francisco · June 22, 2026 [![What A Winning Culture Looks Like](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Moorhead%20High%20School%20State%20Championship.png)](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 [![Success Is Not An Accident: Part 2](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/para%20olympic%20players_optimized.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-2) Traits ## [Success Is Not An Accident: Part 2](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-2) We are continuing our series on the habits that shape strong, confident young athletes. In Part 1, we focused on ... Jon Francisco · February 09, 2026 [![The Pressure Cooker: Why Kids Quit Sports (Part 2)](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Sad%20kid%20talking%20to%20parent%202.jpeg)](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 [![Are Private Lessons Worth The Money?](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Private%20lessons.jpg)](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 [![The Bench Isn’t a Graveyard, It’s Untapped Potential](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/DSC_0132.jpg)](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 [![3 Most Common Mistakes Coaches Make Teaching Contact & How to Fix Them](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Jon_Francisco_large.jpg)](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 [![Coach, Own Your Screw-Ups](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Wathier%20coaching.jpg)](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/hubfs/Net%20front%20battle.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/work-hard-huh-what-does-that-really-mean) 4Check Hockey ## ["Work Hard," Huh? What Does That REALLY Mean?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/work-hard-huh-what-does-that-really-mean) “Working hard” is one of the most common phrases you’ll hear—from coaches barking on the bench to push their players in ... Jon Francisco · September 03, 2025 [![Stars Get Hype—Role Players Get Ice Time](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/players%20blocking%20shot.jpeg)](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 [![Define Your Game—Or Someone Else Will](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Butch%20Cassidy%20Starting%20Lineup.jpg)](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 [![Your KIDS are walking reflections of YOU...And Coaches Notice](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Parents%20reflection%20post.jpg)](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 [![Love for the Game Comes First](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Modano%20Coaching.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/love-for-the-game-comes-first) 4Check Hockey ## [Love for the Game Comes First](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/love-for-the-game-comes-first) When kids step onto the ice for the first time, it’s not the stats, trophies, or scholarships that light up their ... Jon Francisco · August 05, 2025 ![4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check%20Logo%202025_white.png) Training coaches, players, and organizations in safe, effective checking and concussion prevention. Hermantown, MN 55811, USA #### Explore [About Us](https://4checkhockey.com/about) [Programs & Pricing](https://4checkhockey.com/pricing) [Resources](https://4checkhockey.com/resources) [Articles](https://4checkhockey.com/articles) #### Get Started [Partner With Your Organization](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) [Request A Camp](https://4checkhockey.com/contact-camp-request) [Refer An Organization](https://4checkhockey.com/organization-referral) #### More [Find A Camp](https://4checkhockey.com/find-a-camp) [Members](https://4checkhockey.com/members) [Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/contact) Copyright © 2026, 4Check Hockey