TP 1 Player Development Services

“I have spent over 2 decades studying and analyzing the most effective and innovative approaches to hockey development for elite level hockey players to achieve their goals. I have observed and developed players and training methods that have taken me to many countries, organizations, programs, and teams, across the spectrum of promising up and coming elite level players to professional level athletes at the pinnacle of the sport. These observations, experiences and contacts have helped define what the TP 1 Development program can offer the player to see that they maximize the full potential as it relates to their on ice and off ice success and performance. It is because of the TP 1 program that I feel maximizes each players potential that I can offer a full scope of player development experts to each key facet of the game be it on ice training, nutrition, strength conditioning, sports psychology, and recovery. I believe that through my understanding of the facets of the game and ability to communicate this approach to players, I have earned the trust and commitment of some of the top professional players with the game of hockey. One thing that each of these elite level professionals have in common is the dedication, work ethic, commitment, and a very strong support network from their families. I feel that this support from the family is often an overlooked component to hockey success. The success of the athlete and the support of the family are no longer mutually exclusive in today’s complex hockey landscape. TP 1 player development strategies and methods see the family as a key component to support the player development of the athlete. The Total Player 1 development can tailor a training and development system focused on the detailed needs of the athlete and is not a “one size fits all” approach. That I believe is the success of my approach to player development and why I have earned the trust from some of the games top players.

The Total Player 1 Development system recognizes that no two players are the same. Over 2 decades involved in elite player development it has shown that at the higher levels of hockey, different players will need work and focus on different specific aspects of the game. Therefore, TP1 can offer a focused specialized program to each individual player. We have focused the key services in 5 core areas of the game and while some players may seek guidance and training in all 5 core areas others may choose to focus on a select few for their development needs. Below is a brief description of the 5 key areas for success that TP 1 and its coaches can provide.

Technical and Mechanical Aspects of Skating

Today’s game of hockey has developed to new levels of speed, time and space, and all of the elements for success revolve around the strength and proficiency of a players skating ability. Tate has spent decades evolving a keen eye for the ability to assess details such stride mechanics, speed, edgework and technique and the ability to successfully communicate these aspects of skating mechanics to elite level players. The importance of skating in today’s game has lead to NHL players continuously work with Tate season to season to hone this key element of the game. Tate has worked with developing and maintaining skating skills that have seen his clients achieve their ultimate hockey dreams of winning Stanley Cups, World Championship, Olympic medals. TP 1 offers Tate’s experience and success in development to all levels of elite players who are striving to maximize their hockey potential. Tate has become a recognized elite level skills development coach with a trusted and respected attention to detail in all elements of communicating and developing elite level mechanics and technique in the aspect of high-performance skating. Developing elite skating skills and mechanics has always been a core element for TP 1 players and they remain ahead of the curve developing highly skilled and highly intelligent players.

Hockey IQ and Video/Visual Analysis

The speed of the game of hockey has increased exponentially over the past two decades. Reaction time and space, ice awareness, zone play, and high-level hockey IQ are key essentials to elite player development and success. As Tate mastered the understanding of being able to teach players the mechanics of the game, he has taught them how to adapt with instincts and reaction.

“By teaching options of ice awareness and availability, my players are able to develop their hockey IQ which in turn allows my players to position themselves to be able to determine the pace, a quick decision and a situation with poise and patience. This allows me to teach my players and break down the options and decisions they will have to make in the speed of the game. My training approach and focus for my players is the importance of puck placement, tracking pucks, vision on pucks, puck protection, give and receive options, understanding seams and lanes, read and react to pucks, and assessing high low percentage situations with and without the puck. Once the player has this foundational understanding of the game, the players creative nature is then encouraged in playmaking and execution. I want to see a player maximize all their gifts for the game on both the physical elements but also on the mental aspects of the game. TP 1’s primary goal is to develop complete hockey players that can be trusted and effective in any situation of the game”.

Tate Philips

Tate has focused on his players at all levels of the game to develop the ability to make instinctive split second intelligent hockey plays, understand and evaluate options, be poised, and to read and react to both offensive and defensive opportunities. TP 1 players will be taught to situational scenarios in all 3 zones of the ice and can be supplemented with video breakdown and analysis which can break the game down frame by frame to boost a player’s understanding and hockey IQ. With the speed and adrenaline at which today’s game is played, Tate has found that the use of video and visual aides can amplify the learning curve and understanding for the success of a player’s development. TP 1 Player Development is a firm believer in the old adage “that a picture is worth a thousand words” and players react well to seeing the value of this tool for refining skills development, technique, and hockey IQ. The use of these tools along with the breadth of understanding of player development, Tate can work with each player on key aspects addressing their individual specific goals and objectives. Tate has successfully used these tools to communicate understanding and visualizing seams and lanes for puck movement, illustrating high percentage and low percentage on ice options, honing the ability to read and react to on ice situations, and to emphasize various elements such as puck placement and puck protection. Players will benefit from Tate’s involvement and elite level success with both professional and National level teams as well as his involvement in being retained individually as an elite level coach by some of the game’s top players.

A Health body a Healthy mind.

Strength and Conditioning

TP 1 Player Development emphasizes that in order to continually perform and maximize each players potential, the athlete must have the proper strength and conditioning to meet the demands of the game of hockey. Natural abilities and talents are only effective if the player is properly conditioned to meet the pace and schedule of the game. Tate believes that by developing well conditioned athletes with the fundamental strength to perform at elite levels, the player also benefits by minimizing risk of injury and shortening the recovery period. The days of players at all levels using training camps and exhibition games “to play themselves into shape” are long gone. TP 1 has recognized that even over the past 2 decades the evolution of strength and conditioning is a fundamental element in achieving maximum potential. The science behind sport specific hockey conditioning and strength training programs can be tailored to each player to meet their training needs. Tate has successfully paired players to specific coaches to find programs that have achieved elite level results and are sustainable for player development. Sport specific training and conditioning has emerged to produce highly successful results and Tate believes in making these tools available to his players to help them achieve their goals. TP 1 produces highly conditioned athletes that will use the implementation of this training to achieve the players highest on ice performance.

The only journey is the journey within

Sports Psychology

Determination, motivation, commitment, character, and dedication are all elements of a successful athlete. Focusing and harnessing the value of these key elements and others are what can unlock elite level performance. Visualization, imagery, focus, objectives, goals, self evaluation, managing anxiety, and performance, are all components and tools that can help a player achieve maximum potential. A result driven focus can be attained and implemented when the tools of sports psychology are utilized properly. This tool can help the athlete overcome hardships and obstacles that are not physical elements of their abilities but rather the mental aspect and the game within the game. A player can assess and envision pathways and objectives to concentrate focus on the mental aspects of the game. Sports Psychology can help athletes prepare for adversity and in some cases injury and create and environment to overcome these situations. This is again where TP 1 believes no two players needs are the same. Through the extensive network that Tate has developed, a player can be paired with the best professional that suits the individual focus, goals and fit for each athlete. Tate also strives to have his players understand the role and responsibility to be contributing members of the broader community. Tate feels that the players sense of worth and participation within their community allows the player balance and pride outside of the game of hockey. The time and effort put into this element of the game will also provide the player with skills that will be of benefit long after the players career ends.

Eat well, Feel well, Look well

Nutrition and Recovery

Elite level performance in today’s sports world goes beyond just the raw innate athletic ability and knowledge of the player. To remain competitive in the sport of hockey, the aspects of sports nutrition and recovery play a key role for the health and maintenance of the player no matter what level they are at in their career. Nutritional balance and performance are closely tied in achieving peak performance levels of the sport of hockey. Knowing what to eat and when can help maximize on ice results. Your body needs fuel to perform and the quality of that fuel can affect performance much like it can in your car. The stresses of the game and its related conditioning can tax your muscles and your ability to recover. The repair and recovery of these muscles are largely tied to two factors; nutrition and rest. TP 1 can provide programs and expertise that will provide the player with the understanding of the relationship and science between nutrition and athletic performance. Concepts of what to eat and when to eat as it relates to peak performance can be as important as any other element of hockey development and Tate has observed the incorporation of this knowledge with his professional level players. Hockey breaks down and taxes muscles in both practice and game situations and nutrition is a key element of recovery. Proteins and the timing and type of intake are key to producing muscle protein synthesis (a key muscle recovery process). Understanding the relationship of nutrition and energy balance is key. What you consume before a practice or game is equally as important as to which you eat after. Players will also be taught how hydration is a core performance element equally as important as nutrition and the two must be combined for peak athletic performance. Tate wants to develop a player’s understanding of this area to unlock benefits that will help in the players athletic endeavours but also knowing that this knowledge will also benefit the player with a healthy lifestyle beyond their playing career.

The best TP 1 player candidate:

Tate Philip’s TP 1 Player Development services can offer the full suite of training tools or specialized areas of training in any combination of the 5 main development areas to create individualized training and development programs. More than two decades as an expert in this field have shown Tate that player training programs will not be the same for every player. His ability to evaluate and assess the needs the specific player can provide the knowledge and skills development to achieve their maximum athletic performance. Tate’s players both present and past are known for high hockey intelligence, highly skilled, committed, and possess strong character.

“Players must come to train with the right attitude and character. My expectation is that their work ethic is a commitment to my philosophy on ice which is a very disciplined and strategic approach. The training requires the players attention to detail and focus their development. As I mastered the understanding of being able to teach players the mechanics of the game, I have taught them how to adapt with instincts and reaction. The support of developing a hockey player becomes a lifestyle for the family to ensure to upmost success of the individual. TP 1 will work with the player and the family to achieve player success and development. Over many years, having the opportunity to work and be a part of the process of building athletes and world class hockey players, I have learned what it takes to build an elite hockey player. I have developed the TP 1 system from gathering my knowledge and observing many professionals within the hockey world and their specific expertise surrounding the development of a hockey player. I believe it is because of this system that I have earned and maintained the trust and respect of my players at all levels of the game. I am committed to always building and evolving the TP 1 systems to the changing needs and skills of the game”.

Tate Philips