--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: long-term athlete development | 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. [![Why I Built 4Check Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Why%20I%20Built%204Check-Web.jpg)](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 [![You're Not A Bad Parent If Your Child ](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/parents%20watching%20kids.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youre-not-a-bad-parent-if-your-child-fails) 4Check Hockey ## [You're Not A Bad Parent If Your Child "Fails"](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/youre-not-a-bad-parent-if-your-child-fails) I don't like the word fail. When we hear it, we immediately think of disappointment, mistakes, or not being good ... Jon Francisco · August 18, 2026 [![Confidence Isn't About Perfection, It's Perspective](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/nathan-mackinnon-missing%20shot.jpeg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/confidence-isnt-about-perfection-its-perspective) 4Check Hockey ## [Confidence Isn't About Perfection, It's Perspective](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/confidence-isnt-about-perfection-its-perspective) As a new hockey season approaches, players everywhere are working to improve their skills, earn roster spots, and ... Jon Francisco · August 03, 2026 [![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 [![The Power of Your Circle](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Smith-Celebrini.jpeg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-power-of-your-circle) Traits ## [The Power of Your Circle](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-power-of-your-circle) In hockey, we spend countless hours working on our skating, shooting, passing, and physical skills. We focus on ... Jon Francisco · July 22, 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 [![Don’t Play the Comparison Game: Trusting Your Own Path in Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/MyHockeyRankings.png)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-play-the-comparison-game-trusting-your-own-path-in-hockey) 4Check Hockey ## [Don’t Play the Comparison Game: Trusting Your Own Path in Hockey](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-play-the-comparison-game-trusting-your-own-path-in-hockey) In today’s hockey world, it has never been easier to look around and feel like you are falling behind. One scroll ... Jon Francisco · June 30, 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 [![Game Realism: The Missing Link in Player Development](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Kids%20battling%20it%20out.jpg)](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 [![When Hockey Breaks You AND Builds You](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Jon%20injured%20Reign_original.jpg)](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 [![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 4](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/USA_Hockey_Gangwon_2024_optimized.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-4) 4Check Hockey ## [Success Is Not An Accident: Part 4](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-4) The Final Article In This Series Over the last three parts, we have explored the habits that shape not only better ... Jon Francisco · February 23, 2026 [![Success Is Not An Accident: Part 3](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/practice%20on%20pond.jpg)](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 [![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 [![Success Is Not An Accident: Part 1](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/outdoor%20rink_2_optimized.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-1) 4Check Hockey ## [Success Is Not An Accident: Part 1](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/success-is-not-an-accident-part-1) We are kicking off a new series focused on the habits that define successful athletes. For clarity, success is not ... Jon Francisco · February 01, 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 [![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 [![Don't Wait, One Bad Hit Can Change Everything](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Scheifele%20hit.webp)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-wait-one-bad-hit-can-change-everything) 4Check Hockey ## [Don't Wait, One Bad Hit Can Change Everything](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/dont-wait-one-bad-hit-can-change-everything) Hockey is one of the fastest and most physical sports in the world. For parents, watching your child step into contact ... Jon Francisco · December 11, 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 [![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 [![Losing Perspective: A Modern Parenting Challenge](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/ODR-skate%20tying.jpeg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/losing-perspective-a-modern-parenting-challenge) 4Check Hockey ## [Losing Perspective: A Modern Parenting Challenge](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/losing-perspective-a-modern-parenting-challenge) In today’s hyper-competitive youth sports landscape, it’s easier than ever for parents to lose sight of what truly ... Jon Francisco · October 08, 2025 [![The Hit You Didn’t See Coming](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Kids%20falling%20on%20the%20ice.jpg)](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 [![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 [![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 [![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