---
title: Articles | 4Check Hockey
description: Ice Hockey | 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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[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.
[](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/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/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
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-team-identity-and-unity-matter-in-the-playoffs)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Team Identity and Unity Matter in the Playoffs](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-team-identity-and-unity-matter-in-the-playoffs)
The Playoffs Reveal Who Teams Really Are The Stanley Cup Playoffs uncover far more than skill and systems. They expose ...
Jon Francisco · May 11, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-goaltending-is-the-backbone-of-stanley-cup-playoff-success)
4Check Hockey
## [Why Goaltending Is the Backbone of Stanley Cup Playoff Success](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/why-goaltending-is-the-backbone-of-stanley-cup-playoff-success)
Why Goaltending Becomes the Center of Everything Goaltending is always important in hockey, but once the Stanley Cup ...
Jon Francisco · May 04, 2026
[](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-home-ice-advantage-shapes-stanley-cup-playoff-outcomes)
4Check Hockey
## [How Home Ice Advantage Shapes Stanley Cup Playoff Outcomes](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/how-home-ice-advantage-shapes-stanley-cup-playoff-outcomes)
Why Home Ice Matters More in the Playoffs Home ice advantage takes on a completely different meaning once the Stanley ...
Jon Francisco · April 27, 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/when-hockey-breaks-you-and-builds-you)
4Check Hockey
## [When Hockey Breaks You AND Builds You](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/when-hockey-breaks-you-and-builds-you)
The Part of the Game No One Talks About Where the Love of the Game Begins Every player remembers the first time they ...
Jon Francisco · March 09, 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/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/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
[](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/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
[](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/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/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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