--- title: Articles | 4Check Hockey description: Struggles | 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. [![The Freedom to Play](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/4Check-Hockey-9-11-Cover.jpeg)](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 [![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 [![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 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 [![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 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 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 [![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 [![Great, My Kid Got a Concussion. Now What?](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/Screen%20time.jpg)](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 [![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 [![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 [![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 [![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 [![What Kids REALLY Struggle With in Youth Sports](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/player%20zoned%20out.jpg)](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 [![What Parents Really Struggle With in Youth Sports](https://4checkhockey.com/hubfs/parents%20watching%20hockey%20game%20from%20the%20stands.jpeg)](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 ![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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