Man, oh man, where do I even begin with this Ron Rolston hockey journey? It all started when I stumbled upon some news about him leaving USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. I mean, the guy was coaching 17 and 18-year-olds, and I thought, “Hey, I wanna get in on that action!”
So, I started digging. Turns out, Rolston’s been around the block, mostly in the collegiate ranks and at the NTDP. But then I saw he was overseeing the Friars’ power play unit, and they were eighth nationally in 2021-22 at 25.4%! That’s when the light bulb really went off.
I spent a few days really immersing myself, reading everything I could find about Rolston’s coaching style, his record, awards, everything. That guy was one of the best choices I could find!
I began to read more and think about the differences between him and other coaches. It made me realize, what made him special? I wanted to try out his way of doing things.
Then, I hit the goldmine. I found this gem about how he believes everyone is valuable on a team, no one player is more important than another. It hit me right in the feels. That’s exactly how I want to approach things, too. And the fact that he emphasizes fun? Sign me up! That’s the number one reason why I want to practice sports, and coaching allows me to both teach and play.
So, I took all this newfound knowledge and started implementing it. I made sure everyone felt included, everyone had a chance to shine. It wasn’t always easy, some kids naturally felt they were more important, but I kept at it, emphasizing teamwork and the importance of every role.
I also made a conscious effort to make things fun. We ran drills, sure, but we also played games, laughed, and just enjoyed the process. I wanted them to feel the same joy I felt when I first discovered Rolston’s philosophy. I wanted to be like him, making an impact, seeing them gain confidence. This was the best part.
And you know what? It worked. We might not have won every game, but we sure had a blast trying. And that, my friends, is what it’s all about. It is truly a great experience for me. Thanks to Ron Rolston, I found a whole new way to enjoy the game, and I’m never looking back.
- Started digging into Rolston’s background after hearing about him leaving the NTDP.
- Saw his success with the Friars’ power play and got hooked.
- Spent days immersing myself in his coaching style, record, and awards.
- Began to think about the differences between him and other coaches and wanted to try his way.
- Hit the jackpot when I found his philosophy on team value and fun.
- Took that knowledge and started implementing it in my own coaching.
- Made sure everyone felt included and had a chance to shine.
- Kept at it, emphasizing teamwork and the importance of every role.
- Made an effort to make things fun, playing games and enjoying the process.
- Wanted the team to feel the same joy I felt when discovering Rolston’s philosophy.
- Worked hard to see them gain confidence and make an impact, just like Rolston.
- Ultimately, it worked, and we had a blast, win or lose.
- Found a new way to enjoy the game thanks to Rolston.
My Key Takeaways
This whole Ron Rolston experience has taught me so much. It’s not just about winning; it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued, where everyone can contribute, and most importantly, where everyone has fun. That’s the kind of coach I want to be, and I’m grateful to Rolston for showing me the way.
