Adversity Leadership Drill
Leadership
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Develop leadership under adversity by assigning players to lead a team that is losing and turning team energy around in real time.
What you need
- hockey stick
- puck
- ice
Your focus
True leadership is revealed in adversity , it is easy to lead when winning. Training players to take responsibility for team energy, communication, and focus when the team is down builds the leadership habits that change game outcomes. The players who can lift a team when losing are the ones coaches trust with the most important moments at the highest levels.
Begin a scrimmage with one team down 2-0 from the start.
Coach designates a leadership player on the losing team who must take responsibility for team energy, calling shifts, making positive calls, leading huddles between periods.
After 5 minutes, evaluate: did the team's energy and play change because of the leader?
Rotate the leadership role to a different player each rep.
Helpful cues
- A leader lifts, they do not complain about the deficit
- Your words and your body language set the temperature for the entire team
- Leadership under pressure is not loud or quiet, it is consistent and genuine
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Give the leader a coaching card with specific phrases and actions they must use.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Give the leader 2 minutes to turn the game around before the other team's lead increases, compressing the leadership pressure.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.