It is the last day of our camp. The hockey playes are going on the ice right now for the seventh and last skating session with Gaston and after lunch we have our last hockey session. Today we will do a quick review and then do a full ice scrimmage with the three ability gooups getting one minute shifts and then change on the go when I whistle. The lines will play each other and keep score for each game..
This is a great camp because we have a narrow focus. Skating, puckhandling and good playing habits is that focus. We touch on passing and shooting technique for about 30 minutes each and the older players become coaches and help small groups of the younger players. We use cross ice, one net games in one zone and today full ice games. for at least half of each practice. These games always have rules to teach technique and good habits.
Some of the rules teach skating to open ice; you must take at least 3 hard strides before you can pass or shoot or you must make an escape move..
Some teach good habits like goals only count after a give and go.
Passing is practiced with games that require 3 passes or you can only have the puck for 2 seconds.. Technique games like only forehand or only backhand passes are allowed cause the players to practice these techniques under defensive pressure. they also teach plaers how to get open for a pass which is a very important skill in itself.
This kind of practice has the players moving about 80% of the time instead of the driill model practices that have players move about 20% of the time. Result of this is that they automatically are getting fit and they are also having fun.
We are teaching players to PLAY the GAME and the motto of the ABC model is:
"Enjoy the Game" with the other motto "The Game is the Best Coach"
We finished with a full ice scrimmage. The scoreboard clock was used and the players got one minute shifts and changed on the go. A short buzzer sounded and they had to pass me the puck and I put it in a neurtral place. We had on goalie and one small net. With two goalies I would have them pass to their goalie on the whistle and he/she practices making passes.
There were three groups 4-4, 5-5 and the little one 3-3. I was going to move the small net up when the U8's came on but they were skating so well that I left it on the goal line.
We played games to 5 and then switched ends so everyone got to shoot on the goalie. They had to be in the slot to score on the small net.
There were young players playing in the older groups because they were too dominant in their age group. i.e. my grandson who is 10 played with the older kid's. There was no hitting so it was safe.
Great camp, 7 skating and 7 hockey sessions and one white water rafting trip. The kid's and parents loved it and I got in lots of bike riding in the mountains. Saw bear, wolf and elk.
Terrific week.
'Enjoy the Game'