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L OU VAIR O turned to one of t h e p l ay e r s h e wa s c o a c h i n g on a junior hockey team and could see the frustration he was dealing with. The future NHL player who Vairo wouldn't name directly wasn't inter- ested in being on the ice any long er. He had just made a couple of passes that were picture-perfect. Unfortunately, both went to the wrong team. But as a coach Vairo was creative in how he connected with his rising star, and the approach proved impactful. "I put my arm around him and said, 'Your uncle and your dad made similar mistakes. Your idol, [Chris] Chelios did, too. It's OK. They were beautiful passes,'" Vairo said. "I said 'from now on can you do me one favor. I'd appreciate it if you would pass the puck to the guys in the right jersey.' He laughed. Other coaches might have said something destructive. I encouraged him." Each coach has his or her own method of getting their message across to players. Each coach has his or her own unique way of implementing and delivering ideas. Vairo, the current director of special proj- ects for USA Hockey and head coach of the 1 9 8 4 U. S. O l y m p i c Me n 's Ho c ke y Te a m , knows that as well as anyone. He claims to be an impatient person in most aspects of his life. Except when it comes to coaching. "You have to allow players to take chances and risks. Trusting the players is import- ant," Vairo said. " You are there to serve them. They are not there to serve you. I was tough but I respected them, and allowed them to grow as players. It's a simple phi- losophy but it works." Scott Paluch is familiar with effective meth- ods of coaching as well. A former head hockey coach at Bowling Green State University and an assistant at Boston College, Paluch is now an American Development Model regional manager for USA Hockey. And he is well aware how vital the delivery of ideas is as a coach. " With delivery, regardless of ag e, I've always thought the best approach was always one coming from enthusiasm and a positive vibe," Paluch said. "It may look different depending on the age group you are dealing with, but a positive approach on every aspect of delivery is so important." Paluch noted the last decade has provided him with an opportunity to see coaching in a different light than he did during his days in the college ranks. "At the college level, everything is out- come based with wins and losses," Paluch 38 // OCTOBER 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM THE ART OF COACHING Relating To Players Goes Far Beyond The Xs And Os Of The Game By Brian Lester "You have to allow players to take chances and risks. Trusting the players is important. You are there to serve them. They are not there to serve you." —Lou Vairo IN ADDITION TO COACHING THE 1984 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM, LOU VAIRO COACHED NUMEROUS NATIONAL TEAMS. PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine Archives