---
title: Articles | 4Check Hockey
description: hockey safety | 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/why-i-built-4check-hockey)
4Check Hockey
## [Why I Built 4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-i-built-4check-hockey)
How coaching, concussions, and my own kids changed how I saw the game
Jon Francisco · September 14, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-head-up-hockey-changes-everything)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Head Up Hockey Changes Everything](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-head-up-hockey-changes-everything)
If you take a step back and analyze most mistakes in hockey, they rarely come from a lack of technical skill. At nearly ...
Jon Francisco · June 01, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-rise-of-blindside-contact)
4Check Hockey
## [The Rise of Blindside Contact](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-rise-of-blindside-contact)
AND Why “Head Up” Is No Longer Enough Blindside contact has evolved with today’s faster pace, tighter gaps, and east to ...
Jon Francisco · March 23, 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/success-is-not-an-accident-part-3)
4Check Hockey
## [Success Is Not An Accident: Part 3](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-3)
In Part 1 and Part 2, we focused on responsibility, discipline, accountability, composure, toughness, and character. ...
Jon Francisco · February 16, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/great-my-kid-got-a-concussion.-now-what)
4Check Hockey
## [Great, My Kid Got a Concussion. Now What?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/great-my-kid-got-a-concussion.-now-what)
Keeping Your Child Occupied After a Suspected Concussion
Jon Francisco · December 05, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockey-injuries-surge-how-4check-hockey-is-leading-safer-training-solutions)
4Check Hockey
## [Youth Hockey Injuries Surge: How 4Check Hockey Is Leading Safer Training Solutions](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockey-injuries-surge-how-4check-hockey-is-leading-safer-training-solutions)
There’s a troubling trend beneath the surface of youth hockey: injuries are on the rise—and they’re more severe than ...
Jon Francisco · November 12, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/safer-hockey-starts-with-4checks-dummy)
4Check Hockey
## [Safer Hockey Starts with 4Check’s Dummy](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/safer-hockey-starts-with-4checks-dummy)
Making the game SAFER, one DUMMY at a time.
Jon Francisco · October 15, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-hit-you-didnt-see-coming)
4Check Hockey
## [The Hit You Didn’t See Coming](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-hit-you-didnt-see-coming)
What every hockey mom should know about concussions. Whether you're cheering from the stands or tying skates in the ...
Jon Francisco · October 01, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-wait-for-the-wake-up-call)
4Check Hockey
## [Don’t Wait for the Wake-Up Call](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-wait-for-the-wake-up-call)
Is Your Child’s Hockey Program Protecting Their Brain? When your child hits the ice, you’re not just watching a ...
Jon Francisco · September 24, 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/what-kids-really-struggle-with-in-youth-sports)
4Check Hockey
## [What Kids REALLY Struggle With in Youth Sports](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/what-kids-really-struggle-with-in-youth-sports)
...and How to Help Them Thrive
Jon Francisco · July 30, 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/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/the-crucial-role-of-awareness-preventing-concussions-injuries)
4Check Hockey
## [The Crucial Role of Awareness: Preventing Concussions & Injuries](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-crucial-role-of-awareness-preventing-concussions-injuries)
Hockey is an exhilarating sport, celebrated for its speed, skill, and physicality. However, with the excitement comes ...
Jon Francisco · April 18, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/angling-your-secret-weapon)
4Check Hockey
## [Angling: Your Secret Weapon](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/angling-your-secret-weapon)
Ice hockey is a physical sport where players must combine skill, strategy, and physicality to succeed. One of the most ...
Jon Francisco · March 05, 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/why-helmets-cant-prevent-concussions)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Helmets Can't Prevent Concussions](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-helmets-cant-prevent-concussions)
When it comes to hockey, safety is a top priority. Helmets are a crucial piece of equipment designed to protect players ...
Jon Francisco · February 12, 2025
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/from-rams-to-rinks-natures-secrets-vs-hockeys-challenges)
4Check Hockey
## [From Rams to Rinks: Nature's Secrets vs. Hockey's Challenges](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/from-rams-to-rinks-natures-secrets-vs-hockeys-challenges)
Comparing Animal Brain Protection Mechanisms to Hockey Brain Injuries The animal kingdom is full of fascinating ...
Jon Francisco · February 05, 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
Training coaches, players, and organizations in safe, effective checking and concussion prevention.
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