Hockey is a fast, physical, exciting game that requires great agility, balance and hand-eye coordination. You don’t have to be a naturally-gifted athlete to succeed but practice makes perfect.
Great Neck Park District hockey players, 8 to 16 years old, of all skill levels, have an advantage over other hockey players. They get to participate in Coach Mark Greene’s off-ice hockey skills clinics, before their practices, which helps give them the edge they need to build their confidence, strength and speed, both on and off the ice.
Greene’s agenda includes teaching basic skills that would benefit any athlete: speed, strength, stronger legs and upper body with an emphasis on quicker feet.
These off-ice clinics begin 45 minutes before each class and run a half hour. This gives the hockey player 15 minutes to change into their on-ice gear and get ready for class. Assisted by hockey Coach Blaine Aronovitch, Greene teaches between 5 and 10 players per clinic. At this point in the season, those who take it seriously and give it their all, have come closer to attaining their goals.
Greene retired as Great Neck School District physical education teacher and football/lacrosse head coach in June 2010, after 35 years of dedicated work. He began running various programs for the Great Neck Park District beginning in 2006.
For the past 2 summer seasons, he has been the Recreation Center director for the Parkwood Sports Complex, adding strength training machines, tournaments and other inspiring programs.
He believes that anyone can gain the ability to become an athlete. The skills he teaches help the “ordinary” child build their strength and confidence through repetition. He does a great job at getting the players motivated.
According to Greene, “Anyone can be an athlete!”
If you are interested, join the hockey program and you, too, can benefit from Coach Greene’s motivating athletic skills clinics.
