Shows
Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 109 - What I learned from coaching U11"We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience."
Host Richard Bercuson spends this episode providing an overview of his season coaching 10 year olds in a unique house league-type environment. Dean Holden poses some pointed questions that has Richard using the "wayback machine" to reflect on the approaches he's used and why.
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In the introduction, Richard refers to his co-authored novel that was published last year through Amazon: The Burden of Guilt.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
2025-03-071h 17Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 109 - What I learned from coaching U11"We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience."
Host Richard Bercuson spends this episode providing an overview of his season coaching 10 year olds in a unique house league-type environment. Dean Holden poses some pointed questions that has Richard using the "wayback machine" to reflect on the approaches he's used and why.
--------------------------------------------
In the introduction, Richard refers to his co-authored novel that was published last year through Amazon: The Burden of Guilt.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
2025-03-071h 17Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 106 - Are you a transformational coach?The modern lexicon of coaching includes terms like transformational and transactional to describe the approaches coaches use. What are their characteristics? In minor hockey, can someone be both? Dean Holden delves into this topic, aided and abetted by host Richard Bercuson who tosses out questions and examples to investigate.
Toward Understanding Youth Athletes’ Fun Priorities: An Investigation of Sex, Age, and Levels of Play: Amanda Visek, Heather Mannix et al
https://activeforlife.com/why-every-coach-needs-a-coaching-philosophy/
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dea...
2024-10-141h 00Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 106 - Are you a transformational coach?The modern lexicon of coaching includes terms like transformational and transactional to describe the approaches coaches use. What are their characteristics? In minor hockey, can someone be both? Dean Holden delves into this topic, aided and abetted by host Richard Bercuson who tosses out questions and examples to investigate.
Toward Understanding Youth Athletes’ Fun Priorities: An Investigation of Sex, Age, and Levels of Play: Amanda Visek, Heather Mannix et al
https://activeforlife.com/why-every-coach-needs-a-coaching-philosophy/
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dea...
2024-10-141h 00
B e t w e e n the L i n e s - The PodcastWriter, Teacher, Speaker, Coach pt. 2This episode is the conclusion to last week's interview with author Richard Bercuson. We discuss further about The Burden of Guilt, the book he co-authored with E.W. Zrudlo.Visit Richard's website; www.richardbercuson.caThe Burden of Guilt os available on Amazon:______________________________________To learn more about me visit my website; www.therandylacey.caIf you've liked what you've heard consider support the podcast by clicking on the BUY ME A COFFEE button near the top right of the web page.Read the blog, buy a book...
2024-09-041h 00
B e t w e e n the L i n e s - The PodcastWriter, Teacher, Speaker, CoachOn this episode I talk with writer, teacher, speaker, and coach Richard Bercuson. This is the first of a two-part interview which meanders through many subjects including the book The Burden of Guilt which he co-authored with E.W. Zrudlo.Visit Richard's website; www.richardbercuson.ca The Burden of Guilt os available on Amazon:______________________________________To learn more about me visit my website; www.therandylacey.ca If you've liked what you've heard consider support the podcast by clicking on the BUY ME A COFFEE button near the top right of...
2024-08-281h 02Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 102 - The Norwegian Blue and Coach EducationThis episode is a unique collaboration with Stuart Armstrong whose podcast is The Talent Equation. His May 28, 2024, show was called "Coach Education is broken." It struck a chord with Grassroots host Richard Bercuson who felt it reminded him of the famous Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. He connected with Stuart and here's the result: a tripartite discussion with Stuart, Richard, and Dean Holden about coach education's demise.
Stuart will simulcast the show on his own podcast soon, once he completes his multi-part analysis of the subject.
Listener Advisory: Stuart's script read of the Dead Parrot s...
2024-06-081h 27Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 102 - The Norwegian Blue and Coach EducationThis episode is a unique collaboration with Stuart Armstrong whose podcast is The Talent Equation. His May 28, 2024, show was called "Coach Education is broken." It struck a chord with Grassroots host Richard Bercuson who felt it reminded him of the famous Monty Python Dead Parrot sketch. He connected with Stuart and here's the result: a tripartite discussion with Stuart, Richard, and Dean Holden about coach education's demise.
Stuart will simulcast the show on his own podcast soon, once he completes his multi-part analysis of the subject.
Listener Advisory: Stuart's script read of the Dead Parrot s...
2024-06-081h 27
Hockey IQ PodcastRichard BercusonOn this episode of the Hockey IQ podcast, we sit down with Richard Bercuson, retired teacher, writer, podcaster, and hockey coach.A few areas on this episode we discuss:- History of Small Area Games/Small-Sided Games- Benefits of coaches throwing away their whistles & whiteboards- Why flow drills suck- Learning is messy- Issues with paying for goals scored, shortening the bench, etc.- Benefits of running commentary behind the benchLink to the article discussed - https://hockeysarsenal.substack.com/p/usa-hockey-has-been-preaching-crossSign...
2024-02-1455 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 97 - When science meets art in coachingThis first episode of 2024 features a discussion about the science that should inform current coaching approaches and how coaches need to now examine the effects on their coaching art. Host Richard Bercuson discusses with Dean Holden and John "the Colombian" Castrillon who has spent decades using game-based approaches in soccer and hockey, even before he was aware of what the science showed.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2024-01-211h 19Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 97 - When science meets art in coachingThis first episode of 2024 features a discussion about the science that should inform current coaching approaches and how coaches need to now examine the effects on their coaching art. Host Richard Bercuson discusses with Dean Holden and John "the Colombian" Castrillon who has spent decades using game-based approaches in soccer and hockey, even before he was aware of what the science showed.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2024-01-211h 19
The Continuous Coach Podcast#33 Richard BercusonRichard is a long time hockey coach, developer, and podcaster with many engaging ideas.
2023-10-291h 02Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 92 - Holding my feet to the firePodcast host Richard Bercuson has taken on coaching a U18AA team this season, a somewhat new experience for him even after coaching for decades. In this episode, Dean Holden poses some interesting questions for him to consider as he navigates these waters using a competition or game-based approach.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2023-10-051h 29Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 92 - Holding my feet to the firePodcast host Richard Bercuson has taken on coaching a U18AA team this season, a somewhat new experience for him even after coaching for decades. In this episode, Dean Holden poses some interesting questions for him to consider as he navigates these waters using a competition or game-based approach.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2023-10-051h 29Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 84 - Wally Kozak: For the good of the gameWally Kozak is a resident of host Richard Bercuson's virtual Pantheon of Canadian hockey developers. Here, he begins by reflecting on his stint with Father David Bauer's national team and its influence on his future as a teacher and coach. Then comes the segue into the importance of creating a mission statement as most recently done with the parents of a U13 girls team. Along the journey, he shares stories of his experiences in developing the exercise. This includes one about how Hockey Canada's instructional DVD series, Goals 1 & 2, once included a third DVD which featured the exercise but somehow n...
2023-01-211h 14Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 84 - Wally Kozak: For the good of the gameWally Kozak is a resident of host Richard Bercuson's virtual Pantheon of Canadian hockey developers. Here, he begins by reflecting on his stint with Father David Bauer's national team and its influence on his future as a teacher and coach. Then comes the segue into the importance of creating a mission statement as most recently done with the parents of a U13 girls team. Along the journey, he shares stories of his experiences in developing the exercise. This includes one about how Hockey Canada's instructional DVD series, Goals 1 & 2, once included a third DVD which featured the exercise but somehow n...
2023-01-211h 14Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 79 - Explaining critical thought in coaching"A Problem Well Stated is Half Solved," said the late Charles Kettering who headed the GM research department in the mid 20th century. How does this apply to the application of critical thought in coaching, especially in minor hockey? Dean Holden explains what it means and how it applies, referring as well to the work of Robert Ennis ("Critical Thinking Dispositions"). Also mentioned is the 2006 World Cup match between Argentina and Serbia/Montenegro in which the Argentines completed 26 consecutive passes before scoring. Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Om0WfErA
The Robert...
2022-10-201h 00Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 79 - Explaining critical thought in coaching"A Problem Well Stated is Half Solved," said the late Charles Kettering who headed the GM research department in the mid 20th century. How does this apply to the application of critical thought in coaching, especially in minor hockey? Dean Holden explains what it means and how it applies, referring as well to the work of Robert Ennis ("Critical Thinking Dispositions"). Also mentioned is the 2006 World Cup match between Argentina and Serbia/Montenegro in which the Argentines completed 26 consecutive passes before scoring. Here is the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Om0WfErA
The Robert...
2022-10-201h 00Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 70 - Yogi was right! (Part 2)"We take a minor hockey coach off the ice, stand him at the glass, and we're going to ask him to watch his practice that the assistant coaches are going to run. What does he look for - and why?" So begins Part 2 with host Richard Bercuson posing the questions. Dean Holden and John Castrillon describe the importance of self-reflection in observations, beginning with, as Dean says, the constraints of what the coach even knows. So, even by posing the right kind of questions to the coach, the depth of knowledge to be able to properly and adequately answer i...
2022-04-1245 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 70 - Yogi was right! (Part 2)"We take a minor hockey coach off the ice, stand him at the glass, and we're going to ask him to watch his practice that the assistant coaches are going to run. What does he look for - and why?" So begins Part 2 with host Richard Bercuson posing the questions. Dean Holden and John Castrillon describe the importance of self-reflection in observations, beginning with, as Dean says, the constraints of what the coach even knows. So, even by posing the right kind of questions to the coach, the depth of knowledge to be able to properly and adequately answer i...
2022-04-1245 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 69 - Yogi was right! (Part 1 of 2)"You can observe a lot by watching," said Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. He couldn't have known just important that statement would become for minor hockey coaches. The power of observation is indeed linked to critical thought, self awareness and self reflection, which is to say that all coaches would well to step back a moment and watch themselves. This is what mentors and coach developers do on a regular basis. In this first of a two-parter, host Richard Bercuson dives into a discussion with guest host Dean Holden and previous interviewee John Castrillon, a longtime soccer and...
2022-04-0636 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 69 - Yogi was right! (Part 1 of 2)"You can observe a lot by watching," said Yankees Hall of Famer Yogi Berra. He couldn't have known just important that statement would become for minor hockey coaches. The power of observation is indeed linked to critical thought, self awareness and self reflection, which is to say that all coaches would well to step back a moment and watch themselves. This is what mentors and coach developers do on a regular basis. In this first of a two-parter, host Richard Bercuson dives into a discussion with guest host Dean Holden and previous interviewee John Castrillon, a longtime soccer and...
2022-04-0636 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 68 - It’s not the what; it’s the how and whyUSA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) has made huge strides since its 2009 inception. One of the program's original regional managers, Roger Grillo (www.admkids.com/rogergrillo), a successful college coach for 20 years before joining the ADM, provides a unique perspective on the ADM's successes and challenges. He also delves into practice and teaching approaches that are now tried and true, describing what he sees as the three key elements of a good practice.
This episode harkens back to a Feb., 2015, version of Grassroots the minor hockey show on Ottawa's TSN 1200 radio, hosted by Richard Bercuson...
2022-03-241h 12Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 68 - It’s not the what; it’s the how and whyUSA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM) has made huge strides since its 2009 inception. One of the program's original regional managers, Roger Grillo (www.admkids.com/rogergrillo), a successful college coach for 20 years before joining the ADM, provides a unique perspective on the ADM's successes and challenges. He also delves into practice and teaching approaches that are now tried and true, describing what he sees as the three key elements of a good practice.
This episode harkens back to a Feb., 2015, version of Grassroots the minor hockey show on Ottawa's TSN 1200 radio, hosted by Richard Bercuson...
2022-03-241h 12Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 64 - Concepts: What a concept!The new coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, stated in his initial press conference that he was about teaching concepts, not systems. Whether or not that works remains to be seen. However, the idea of presenting concepts to players directly impacts minor hockey in various ways. In Episode 38, host Richard Bercuson and his guest, Dean Holden, examined the teaching of principles of play vs. systems. Now, with St. Louis' statement as a backdrop, how do concepts come into play for coaches of kids?
Two books referred to in the show:
Slavomir Lener: Transition...
2022-02-1654 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 64 - Concepts: What a concept!The new coach of the Montreal Canadiens, Martin St. Louis, stated in his initial press conference that he was about teaching concepts, not systems. Whether or not that works remains to be seen. However, the idea of presenting concepts to players directly impacts minor hockey in various ways. In Episode 38, host Richard Bercuson and his guest, Dean Holden, examined the teaching of principles of play vs. systems. Now, with St. Louis' statement as a backdrop, how do concepts come into play for coaches of kids?
Two books referred to in the show:
Slavomir Lener: Transition...
2022-02-1654 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 63 - The 90% FactorFor any coach, there should be a tacit understanding of the need to make practices as game-like as possible. The one possible exception might be the teaching of raw skills. That aside, in order to best teach the game, how many players should be involved in an activity, be it drill or small area game? Shouldn't that number replicate what happens in a game? What is that number? In 2009, Slovakian coach Igor Andrejkovic published a scientific paper based on his breaking down 60 game videos of a U18 team. His conclusions about how many players are actively involved in hockey e...
2022-02-0753 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 63 - The 90% FactorFor any coach, there should be a tacit understanding of the need to make practices as game-like as possible. The one possible exception might be the teaching of raw skills. That aside, in order to best teach the game, how many players should be involved in an activity, be it drill or small area game? Shouldn't that number replicate what happens in a game? What is that number? In 2009, Slovakian coach Igor Andrejkovic published a scientific paper based on his breaking down 60 game videos of a U18 team. His conclusions about how many players are actively involved in hockey e...
2022-02-0753 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 60 - The RoomThis one begins with the story of the dressing room eavesdropper before a championship game. Then, host Richard Bercuson reveals three short tales of his own dressing room talks that didn't go well. Otherwise though, this episode delves into what coaches should or should not be saying in minor hockey dressing rooms, let alone how they say it. And the guest host does an even deeper dive into a topic that is rarely examined.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail...
2022-01-1740 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 60 - The RoomThis one begins with the story of the dressing room eavesdropper before a championship game. Then, host Richard Bercuson reveals three short tales of his own dressing room talks that didn't go well. Otherwise though, this episode delves into what coaches should or should not be saying in minor hockey dressing rooms, let alone how they say it. And the guest host does an even deeper dive into a topic that is rarely examined.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail...
2022-01-1740 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 58 - Where have you been?After a few months of reflection and other distractions, host Richard Bercuson returns with a list of new topics he will address in future shows, along with a guest host. The minor hockey addiction, development planning, triages, how to teach space, what is said in a room and many more are on the agenda. A new ride is about to begin on the only podcast about minor hockey.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2022-01-0412 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 58 - Where have you been?After a few months of reflection and other distractions, host Richard Bercuson returns with a list of new topics he will address in future shows, along with a guest host. The minor hockey addiction, development planning, triages, how to teach space, what is said in a room and many more are on the agenda. A new ride is about to begin on the only podcast about minor hockey.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden: funlearnreturn@gmail.com
2022-01-0412 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 54: And now, from Scandinavia...Part 1Chicago native David Laszlo was once a middle school teacher and later owned a pro shop where he often sharpened the skates of some Carolina Hurricanes players. Today, after eight years coaching minor in Denmark, Finland and Norway, he has learned much about hockey overseas and his own skills as a coach. For instance, he uses his whistle judiciously and talks less, a lesson he learned in Detroit when hearing that ice cost $400 per hour. "Am I worth nearly $7 a minute to hear myself talk?" Here's his conversation, along with his Norwegian goalie coach Frederik Meling, and host Richard...
2021-05-0246 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 54: And now, from Scandinavia...Part 1Chicago native David Laszlo was once a middle school teacher and later owned a pro shop where he often sharpened the skates of some Carolina Hurricanes players. Today, after eight years coaching minor in Denmark, Finland and Norway, he has learned much about hockey overseas and his own skills as a coach. For instance, he uses his whistle judiciously and talks less, a lesson he learned in Detroit when hearing that ice cost $400 per hour. "Am I worth nearly $7 a minute to hear myself talk?" Here's his conversation, along with his Norwegian goalie coach Frederik Meling, and host Richard...
2021-05-0246 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 47: Gaston Marcotte: the world’s first humanizerThere was a time when Gaston Marcotte was considered one of the finest hockey teachers anywhere. Though not well known outside Quebec, his teachings, books and hockey school were regarded as vitally important foundations for how the game should be taught. Podcast host Richard Bercuson was at one time one of his instructors, an anglo among francophones. They finally reconnected late last year. Marcotte no longer teaches hockey. Instead, he has set himself a new goal.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden...
2021-02-2752 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 47: Gaston Marcotte: the world’s first humanizerThere was a time when Gaston Marcotte was considered one of the finest hockey teachers anywhere. Though not well known outside Quebec, his teachings, books and hockey school were regarded as vitally important foundations for how the game should be taught. Podcast host Richard Bercuson was at one time one of his instructors, an anglo among francophones. They finally reconnected late last year. Marcotte no longer teaches hockey. Instead, he has set himself a new goal.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
X (Twitter):
Richard - @berky544
Dean Holden...
2021-02-2752 minGrassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 19: Unpacking a coach’s suitcaseDave Leger was a Level VI referee in Ottawa and officiated professionally in Europe. Then he got the coaching bug, beginning with a stint as a high school assistant with Richard Bercuson and moving into junior then college hockey. It is now 22 years later and he has been a professional coach on three continents and in five countries. With a suitcase full of fascinating experiences, he has learned much about the game's culture in these places and what he needs to do to continue to grow as a coach.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
2020-08-071h 13Grassroots: The Minor Hockey ShowEpisode 19: Unpacking a coach’s suitcaseDave Leger was a Level VI referee in Ottawa and officiated professionally in Europe. Then he got the coaching bug, beginning with a stint as a high school assistant with Richard Bercuson and moving into junior then college hockey. It is now 22 years later and he has been a professional coach on three continents and in five countries. With a suitcase full of fascinating experiences, he has learned much about the game's culture in these places and what he needs to do to continue to grow as a coach.
Contact:
richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com
2020-08-071h 13