Our schools feature

     - On-ice instructional sessions 

     -  Classroom instruction 

     -  Dry land instruction 

     -  Individual coaching and problem solving

     -  Controlled scrimmages

     -  Video tape analysis of each player's skating stride
         & shot

     -  Radar Gun evaluation of shot velocity

     -  Exclusive use of the Ice and Dry land rinks - you can leave your
          gear at the rink in a locked locker-room

     -  Complimentary breakfasts and Coach's banquet

     -  State of the art sound system

Student Comments
Some comments from players who have worked with Tom Bast or participated in Lifetime Hockey's Schools are contained on this page.

Tom Bast

Why attend?
Do you suffer from these problems

        -    An inability to generate skating speed and lateral maneuverability
        -   The loss of the puck to a stronger stick handler or player?
    -  Poor or weak passes that are frequently intercepted?
        -    Shots that never seem to have any speed and fail to score?
        -   A lack of confidence in your next move; panic?
        -    Do you lack any kind of offensive move?
    -  Does your team have these problems? 
        -    Poor positioning defensively to cover possible scorers?
    -  Problems breaking out effectively?
        -    Difficulty attacking the offense zone?

Then consider attending the Lifetime Hockey school where we understand the challenges faced by the beginning and intermediate player and where our coaches can provide you with the skills and knowledge to overcome them.

The Instructional Methods
Tom Bast and his staff use a sophisticated combination of on ice activities and classroom instruction.  On the ice you will work through a graduated series of individual drills to develop improved skating, balance and stick control.  Small group skills are emphasized including the breakout, passing, scoring plays, tip shots etc.

You will learn and practice skills such as:  how to approach and take a puck off the boards, how to elude fore-checkers behind your net, how the defense can control the game, spin moves and more.  Finally you will participate in  controlled scrimmages where our coaches will continuously provide commentary and advice to each team and individual players.  We use a state of the art sound system so all players can clearly understand his comments and instructions wherever their location on the rink.

In addition, Tom and his staff will work with the participants in a classroom setting to discuss special issues of concern, diagram how “the system” should work, comment on what they see in the scrimmages and answer participant questions.

Lifetime Hockey schools also provide individualized consulting for each participant based on their needs.  Examples include:  hitting a good slap shot, finding the breakout lanes, crossovers while skating backward etc. 

The school uses the cohort model.  There will be one beginner group and two intermediate groups that will stay together throughout the school.   

Lifetime Hockey administrative staff (Mark and Dan)  have extensive experience with adult education where they frequently teach classes for attorneys and graduate students.  The core principles of adult education are used in our hockey schools.   

Look at some photos that illustrate our instructional methods here.

About Tom Bast and his coaches
Tom Bast is one of the most effective adult no-check coaches in North America.  Based in Red Deer, Alberta, Tom has operated his hockey school for 15 years.  He has  taught adult hockey players from across the United States, Sweden and Japan.

As a player, Tom Bast played Junior ‘A’ Hockey in Canada and was eligible for the NHL.  Tom Bast owns TBS Sports -  a full service player and team sports outfitter located in Red Deer, Alberta.

Tom brings the best of Canadian hockey to the US.  His staff, based in Red Deer Alberta, has extensive playing and coaching experience.   Meet the All Canadian staff.

"We have compiled an impressive contingent of coaches who are knowledgeable, have extensive playing experience and are excellent teachers. This will be a fun  learning environment.  You will not be disappointed in this hockey experience."--Tom Bast, Red Deer, Alberta.

Tom provides encouragement

Hockey School or Hockey Camp?
We use both terms in our advertising but we think of our offering as more of a skills school than a camp.  We believe in adult education principles and deliver all of our training in a fun, challenging and supportive manner.  All of our participants have shown that they are enthusiastic learners and don't necessarily need or want a  "camp" environment.   Plus we are in downtown Minneapolis so the only camping you are probably going to do is in a four star hotel.

 

Location, Schedule and Equipment

Location:

• The location for the school will at Parade Ice Garden located near downtown Minneapolis Minnesota. 

• Parade Ice Garden is the training facility for the Minnesota Wild Hockey Team.

• Lifetime Hockey provides a list of  local hotels for our out-of-town  participants. 

• Minneapolis provides visitors with an exceptional range of activities beyond hockey.  Find out more about the  Minneapolis Metropolitan area  here.   
  

Schedule:
 

For travel planning you should consider these general time lines:

Equipment: 
Please bring a full set of gear including a helmet with at least a half visor.    Click here for a detailed list of equipment and other items we suggest you bring.

Flying with Hockey Equipment:
The Airlines have recently changed the rules and costs for bringing hockey gear with you.  Click here for the current rules and our advice.

Registration

Click here to Register for the August 13 - 17, 2008 School

Contact: Mark@lifetimehockey.com or call  651.628.9437 for more details.
 
Registration is limited and will be assigned on a first come - first served basis.