The first tournament for your U16 men is just around the corner – you have just had your “personal” season opener. You took part in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup – perhaps you can tell us briefly about your experiences there and put into words what you took away from it.
Robin Beckers: “The trip itself was something special for me: coaching at Rogers Place and competing with a national team against the best international teams was a great experience. And it was also an honor for me to be chosen as an assistant by Patrick Reimer. We could see that if we act consistently, physically and according to the game plan, we can keep up with many nations. But also that nations like Canada and the USA are still ahead of us.”
Regarding the U16: A new season in the youth sector always means a lot of new players – how do you find the squad and how do you get an overview of the new year group as quickly as possible?
Robin Beckers: “We always scout the players a year in advance, parallel to the current U16 season. At various tournaments, in the clubs and of course at the national scouting events in Füssen, I get a comprehensive picture of the players with my fellow coach Florian Ondruschka. Here it is very important that we coordinate with the state coaches, because they have known the players for a long time and can also say something about their personality and development. We also have one-on-one discussions with all the players and try to get to know them as people off the ice. That is very important to us.”
Why did you decide to work in the youth sector? What is special about it?
Robin Beckers: “Back then, while I was still studying, I joined the junior team slipped in and have stayed there so far. I enjoy imparting content to the young and hungry players and accompanying them on their way to becoming a professional and hopefully one day a national player.”
What is the main thing that needs to be conveyed to a young player who is playing for a national team for the first time?
Robin Beckers: “We always try to convey our values to them first and talk about what we expect from them and what they can expect from us. This includes the rights and responsibilities of a national player, how we want to behave as national players at tournaments and events and how we want to treat each other. In terms of content, we convey to the players the importance of athletic training, training in general and try to lay a tactical foundation. The season is always short, so we limit ourselves to defense, build-up play and basic principles in the four roles of the ice hockey player.”
You have a handful of events a year in which you appear, but being the national coach is a year-round job. Perhaps you can give us a brief insight into what your work looks like outside of an event.
Robin Beckers: “In addition to planning and implementing the measures, day-to-day business often consists of many phone calls with colleagues to obtain information about the players. I also visit almost all U17 Division 1 clubs at least twice during the season, accompany or lead training sessions and speak on site with my players or potential players and their coaches. I want a good exchange, that is very important to me. When I am away, it is always to send a message, but also to learn from colleagues and take things with me. This is also important in the sense that I do not lose sight of the real day-to-day work of the club. At the weekend, I often watch U17 games and scout my players for the next tournaments. Sometimes on site, more often online, because here I can simply see several games a day and therefore more players.”
What type of trainer would you describe yourself as?
Robin Beckers: “I am an open and approachable coach who focuses on the development of the players. I always care about the players. I try to maintain a balance between the different roles that a coach takes on in relation to the players. I like to learn, I always want to develop myself and I am convinced that we coaches can always learn from each other, but also from the players. I try to convey the values that are important to me: respect, discipline, good behavior and a good work ethic. I also try to live these values.”
Is there another trainer who influenced you and whose lessons you incorporate into your current work?
Robin Beckers: “There are certainly a few. I learned and took a lot with me from my colleague in Sweden, Fredrik Kariander (U20, AIK SKelleftea). Franz David Fritzmeier was and still is a mentor to me. Of course my national coach colleagues, but also Karl Schwarzenbrunner, who has had a very positive influence on my work as a coach in general. I also think that we can learn and take a lot with us from coaches in other sports. I was able to experience this, for example, during my time at the coaching academy in Cologne.”
Do you have a life motto or motto that accompanies you in your career?
Robin Beckers: “Never be too big, to do the small things that need to be done” (All Blacks). It doesn’t matter what position you have, never be too proud to do the things that need to be done. Your position is not defined by your position or the title you hold, but by how you appear and are perceived in the eyes of others.”
