How to Maximize Your Lesson

Private lessons are the perfect opportunity to work one-on-one to reach your desired goals. However, if you genuinely want to get the most out of your private lesson, it’s up to you to maximize your time on the ice. If you’re looking to maximize your lessons, build your confidence, and elevate your game, then follow these steps during your private lessons are the best way to reach that goal.

Come Prepared

When you walk into your lesson, know what you want to work on, or need to improve on. If your coach asks you what you need to work on, probably the last thing he or she wants to hear in response is, “everything.” And this response is not consistent with the idea of owning your training anyway. Be proactive by bringing a list of some skills or areas you’d like to focus on.

Positive Attitude

You’ve made a special effort to arrange a time with your coach and benefit from their expertise. Be happy about it! Use this time for collaboration, enthusiasm, respect, and engagement. Your coach might ask you to try new things – posture, drills, techniques. If your coach offers a suggestion, be open to it! Some things might work, and some might not, but having a positive attitude and a willingness to try keeps you open to learning and developing as a player.

Listen to Your Coach

It can be hard to let go of control or think you know best when you get on the ice for a private lesson. During your lesson, be intentional about listening to your coach and trust that there’s a reason why they are asking you to run those drills, practice your shot, or repeat a specific technique several times. Put all of your energy into executing the skills to the best of your ability, and let your instructor do the rest. You came to them for a private lesson for a reason!

Bring a Friend

A great way to get the most out of what you learn in your lessons is to have someone else in the lesson with you (not just your coach!). When you have a friend or teammate join your lesson, your coach can show techniques on the other person so you can see the details, and then you can do the same so the coach can watch and make corrections. You can work together to learn and refine your skills during the lesson, and afterward as well.

Take Notes

Whether you still use a pen and paper or your “notebook” is your phone, bring something where you can jot notes. Some instructors even allow you to film techniques during your lesson. However you take notes, take them so you can reference them later. If you don’t, you’re bound to forget a lot of the material by the time you find time to practice later on. It’s also helpful to go back to these notes weeks and months and even years from now when you want to brush up on a particular topic.

Ask For More

You’ve taken the time to train with a coach, but you want to continue working and developing your skills after the lesson ends. Whether it’s new skills to review, conditioning recommendations, or additional practice suggestions, ask your coach for clarity. Knowing what your next focus is will help you reach your goals, one step at a time.

You’ve got ways to maximize your private lesson, but you might be wondering, Is it worth it? We want to help you understand the value of your private lesson experience. Download your free guide below!

How to Maximize Your Lesson