Way of Champions Podcast

#457 John Lind, Sweden Ice Hockey Director of Education and Research, on Developing as Many Kids as Possible, as Long as Possible, in the Best Environment Possible

6 snips
Nov 28, 2025
Guest
John Lind
John Lind, the Director of Education and Research at the Swedish Ice Hockey Association, shares his insights from years of experience as a player and coach. He emphasizes creating enjoyable environments for youth hockey while retaining players longer. Lind discusses the advantages of small-sided games for skill development and decision-making, along with the importance of biobanding to counteract selection biases in age-group hockey. He champions volunteer coaching and urges parents to value slow, patient development over rushing ahead, all anchored in fun and engagement.
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ADVICE

Build Coach Education Around Player Outcomes

  • Start coach education by defining player outcomes like motivation, fun, competence, and wellbeing before teaching X's and O's.
  • Teach communication, relationship-building and self-reflection as core coach skills so coaches can deliver those player outcomes.
INSIGHT

Train Scanning Through Game-Based Practice

  • Scanning and decision-making are linked: better scanning predicts more successful subsequent sequences on ice.
  • Use game-based drills and constraints to train information gathering and decision skills, not only isolated technique.
ADVICE

Use Small-Sided Games Early And Intentionally

  • Use small-sided games (3v3, scaled rink sizes) for U8–U12 to increase touches, decisions and repetitions in real contexts.
  • Keep isolated technique work in practice, but reserve games for decision-making and creativity.
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