Former Toronto Marlies coach takes a shot at the Maple Leafs for traveling with a team DJ for practice
The Toronto Maple Leafs have experienced no playoff success so far under Sheldon Keefe. This is a trend Keefe and the Leafs hope to break this summer. Unfortunately Keefe's unique practices aren't appreciated by everyone.
Jack Han was an associate coach on Sheldon Keefe's staff for one season with the Toronto Marlies. During that time he tried to express to Keefe why he didn't agree with Keefe's approach of playing music during practice.
From my perspective, a counter-productive move:
- Disruptive for staff (having to set up & make sure it worked vs. advancing other, +essential tasks)
- Primes player to complain (not everyone likes same tunes)
Certain soccer teams practice their penalty-taking routine with fake hostile crowd noise broadcast in the stadium.
This is the other end of the spectrum when it comes to using audio.
Players vibing while going through easy flow drills doesn't lend itself to game performance.
Heck, play polka or Bollywood tunes or Christmas music on repeat to take players off their game in practice. It'll give them some reps on how to cut out the noise instead of locking onto it.
Sheldon Keefe has decided to have a DJ follow the team and plays music while the Maple Leafs practice. This must have been a departure from how Han and Keefe ran things in the AHL, as he points out it's disruptive to staff organization of other tasks during practice as well.
With the Maple Leafs coming off a disappointing first-round exit, yet again maybe Keefe will consider altering his approach.
Han, currently a consultant coach for the Connecticut Whale and Zurich ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League has established a presence on Twitter, with his newsletter which details tactics of NHL teams, along with his book.
| POLL | ||
Should teams play music during practice? | ||
| Yes, there is no reason not to | 69 | 39.7 % |
| No, good teams focus | 50 | 28.7 % |
| It depends on the drill | 55 | 31.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
