Reply To: Youth Practices

[hockeygod]

March 15

I was supposed to just help out this day, but the substitute teacher had never run the ice session before and asked me to take over. So we separated a mixed grade 7-9 group (24 skaters; 2 goalies) into three 'shifts' of equal ability so they would compete on equal footing. We played 4 on 4, so 8 kids on each bench. This replicates similar situations in a minor hockey game – on the ice every third shift.

Rules of Engagement: They had to pass within three seconds (or else it was a free puck to the other team) and upon gaining the offensive zone, had to gain the creaseline within three seconds before making a play on net (direct attack, pass, shot.)

On the whistle (every one minute), the player with the puck passed it back to the respective goalie.

I encouraged quick transitions and legal line changes (man for man substitutions).

The goalies had to pass to their new players entering the ice; if a poor change (too slow) resulted in the goalie getting forechecked, he had to move the puck down the ice into open space.

We kept score and played for 50 minutes. Losers were punished (skating / pick up pucks / move nets.)

The kids wanted to play instead of drills. They were quite vocal in what they wanted to do… "PLAY!"

I have done this game before and I can see some improvements with the principles of puck control, support, and pressure. These kids are still learning about transition and decision-making preceding the 'moment of anticipation' when it is a "0" game (nobody has the puck.) More time with this game variation and I hope 'the game will be the best teacher.'

Dean
M.Ed (Coaching)
Ch.P.C. (Chartered Professional Coach)
Game Intelligence Training
"Great education depends on great teaching."