--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: Hockey Tips | 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. [![⚠️ How Serious Knee on Knee Hits Really Are](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Mathews%20knee%20on%20knee.jpeg)](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 [![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 [![It’s Only January: Stop Worrying About Next Year’s Team](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/hockey%20parents%20watching%20game.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/its-only-january-stop-worrying-about-next-years-team) 4Check Hockey ## [It’s Only January: Stop Worrying About Next Year’s Team](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/its-only-january-stop-worrying-about-next-years-team) It’s January. The current season is still in full swing, yet parents, coaches, players, and even organizations are ... Jon Francisco · January 26, 2026 [![The Culture of Judgment: If You Can’t Do It, Stop Running Your Mouth](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/social-media-platform-logos-1.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-culture-of-judgment-if-you-cant-do-it-stop-running-your-mouth) 4Check Hockey ## [The Culture of Judgment: If You Can’t Do It, Stop Running Your Mouth](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-culture-of-judgment-if-you-cant-do-it-stop-running-your-mouth) Sports were built on respect: for the game, for the grind, for the people who put in the work. But that respect is ... Jon Francisco · January 07, 2026 [![Youth Hockey Isn’t the NHL, So Why Are We Acting Like It?](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/kids%20dressed%20up.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockey-isnt-the-nhl-so-why-are-we-acting-like-it) 4Check Hockey ## [Youth Hockey Isn’t the NHL, So Why Are We Acting Like It?](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youth-hockey-isnt-the-nhl-so-why-are-we-acting-like-it) Youth hockey should be about fun, learning, and building a love for the game. Yet somewhere along the way, many ... Jon Francisco · December 31, 2025 [![Mid-Season Reset: Take Advantage!](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/goals-notebook.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/mid-season-reset-take-advantage) 4Check Hockey ## [Mid-Season Reset: Take Advantage!](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/mid-season-reset-take-advantage) Your Game, Your Mindset, Your Goals. Own Them. Jon Francisco · December 17, 2025 [![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 [![Stuck in the Lineup? Find Your Way Back](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/players%20on%20bench.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/stuck-in-the-lineup-find-your-way-back) 4Check Hockey ## [Stuck in the Lineup? Find Your Way Back](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/stuck-in-the-lineup-find-your-way-back) It’s mid-season. The fog of tryouts and early practices has lifted. Coaches are starting to lock in their lines. ... Jon Francisco · October 22, 2025 [![Youth Hockey’s Silent Struggle](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Tying%20youth%20skates.jpg)](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 [![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 ![4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check%20Logo%202025_white.png) Training coaches, players, and organizations in safe, effective checking and concussion prevention. 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