THE FIVE: EASIEST WAYS TO LOSE A TEAM'S INTEREST Players are always asking questions. Out of comfort, they often let mom and dad do that dirty work.

Today you will quickly learn that’s not the best way to get a coach’s attention, along with four other great ways to lose it all together.

#5 Bad Presentation – It’s clear there are going to be eyes in the building, eyes in the sky (livebarn), and most of all, eyes on the bench. They way you, walk, talk, dress, behave and play are all going to be considered when teams are identifying prospects. The entire package is equally important. Sure you may have lit the lamp a couple of times, but if you dress like a hood rat and can’t complete a sentence without dropping a F bomb, there’s a really good chance a big red X is being placed next to your name.

#4 Body Language – Yes, it’s a big deal on and off the ice. Are your emotions in check? What emotions are evident when an incoming pass is off the mark? What about practice, can you handle constructive instructions? What happens when there’s a mistake made and you get replaced on the power play? There’s an old deodorant commercial stating that we “should never let them see you sweat”, apply that to your game, on and off the ice. Save the anger, tears, and unhappiness for the drive home. Don’t ever let the team and coaches see it.

#3 Retaliation – There’s a good reason opposing coaches will send a pest onto the ice with the sole purpose of getting under an advisory’s skin. It’s one of the best ways to take an impact player completely out of his game. When it happens to you, the reaction should not be to two-hand the pest across the back, dropping the gloves, or even crying to the ref that the pest is bullying you. The best reaction is to ignore the pest and stay focused on YOUR game. When the pest crosses the line and is about to get some time in the penalty box, don’t take the opportunity and try to knock his block off. Let the power-play shut him up.

#2 Communication with the Coach – I do not care how cool you think you are with the head coach, like the court of law, what you say can, and often will, be used against you. He’s a coach, not your buddy or friend. When you feel the urgency to get something off your chest, talk to your advisor, parent, former teammate, and even the current team captain BEFORE approaching the coach.

#1 Speak for Yourself – Do Not Let Mom and Dad Do it For You – There are literally 100s of players out there that could have done something special with their games, only to be flagged as a “problem” because of overzealous parents. From the bantam levels to the National Hockey League, make your own hockey decisions. As an advisor, it’s important to give families good options and allow them to make the choices. One particular mother lost her mind when the 20-year-old son kept getting passed over by team after team. Regardless of my recommendation, he ends up in the USPHL after getting passed over again by an NCDC team. Somehow, that’s all my fault. The late push is for school, but mom has burned so many bridges the poor son is now paying the price.

That’s it for today, I hope you enjoy the weekend!