Hockey IQ sessions at the Artek International Children's Centre

At the Artek International Children's Centre, as a part of the additional educational general development named “Red Machine - Learn, Act, Achieve!” specialists of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) conducted a theoretical lesson in a game format.

This time, the focus was not on speed, technique and tactics, but instead on game intelligence such as knowledge of the rules, understanding of the logic of preparation, the ability to analyse the situation and make smart decisions.

Participants worked in groups and solved problems concerning key topics of modern ice hockey: from the rules and interpretations of game incidents to the principles of constructing the training process and the basic elements of tactical thinking. It's important that the format of the lesson required not just naming the correct answer, but explaining the reasoning, listening to partners and coming to a common decision.

At the same time, group dynamics became a key element of the lesson. After all, in ice hockey, the result is determined not by individual knowledge, but by the quality of interaction: the ability to negotiate, support partners, show leadership qualities and enthusiasm, and take responsibility in the moment. It is synergy which makes a team stronger than several individual players, and this principle works equally well in theory and on the ice.

Special emphasis was placed on the ability to make the correct decisions in stressful game situations when the stakes are high.

Nornickel, a long-term partner of the RIHF, provided the opportunity to organise this training session and helped provide modern training equipment. Thanks to this, coaches possess modern tools for effectively organising both the educational and training process at Artek.