--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: raising hockey players | 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. [![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 [![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 [![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 [![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 [![The Pressure Cooker: Why Kids Quit Sports (Part 1)](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Sad%20kid%20talking%20to%20parent.jpg)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-1) 4Check Hockey ## [The Pressure Cooker: Why Kids Quit Sports (Part 1)](https://4checkhockey.com/articles/the-pressure-cooker-why-kids-quit-sports-part-1) Our goal when teaching our kids about sports was simple: teach them to love the game. It does not matter what game it ... Jon Francisco · January 14, 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 [![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 [![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 [![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 [![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