USA HOCKEY INLINE
LEARN-TO-PLAY PROGRAM
PRACTICE PLAN
MANUAL
USA HOCKEY INLINE
LEARN-TO-PLAY PROGRAM
PRACTICE PLAN MANUAL
AUTHOR: Aaron Kriss, Coordinator, Coaching and Player Development
EDITORS: Dan Brennan, Stacy Hollister, Cassy Maxton, Chuck Menke
ILLUSTRATOR: Mike Curti
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Dana Ausec
USA HOCKEY INLINE
Walter L. Bush Jr. Center
1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Walter L. Bush, Jr., President
Doug Palazzari, Executive Director
Gary Del Vecchio, Director, USA Hockey InLine
2002, USA Hockey InLine — All Rights Reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise — without the prior permission of
USA Hockey InLine.
THE PRACTICE PLAN
Classroom
Week 1 . . . . . . . . . Rink Safety and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
Week 2 . . . . . . . . . Inline Hockey Rules and Penalties . . . . . . . 15
On-Surface
Week 1 . . . . . . . . . Introduction to Inline Hockey . . . . . . . . . .
7
Week 2 . . . . . . . . . Stops, Starts and Forward Stride . . . . . . . 19
Week 3 . . . . . . . . . Turns and Crossovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Week 4 . . . . . . . . . Stickhandling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Week 5 . . . . . . . . . Passing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Week 6 . . . . . . . . . Shooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Week 7 . . . . . . . . . Backward Skating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Week 8 . . . . . . . . . Fun and Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
LEGEND
PASS
SHOT
FORWARD SKATING
FORWARD SKATING
with PUCK
PYLON
S STOP
C C-CUT
BACKWARD SKATING
PUCK
TEACHING THE FUNDAMENTALS
“Lessons will be remembered long
after scores are forgotten.”
week one — classroom
45 minutes
RINK SAFETY &
EQUIPMENT
Coaches: The chapters for classroom weeks one and
two should be given in the form of handouts to parents.
The USA Hockey InLine classroom sessions are designed to give the
parent/guardian and the player basic knowledge of safety issues,
equipment, rink rules and inline hockey playing rules. As the coach, you
must stress the importance of these classes, as they will become the
foundation for the on-surface sessions. Remember, one parent/guardian
must accompany the player to each classroom session.
Safety First
As a youth coach, you are responsible for ensuring that participants
compete in a safe and healthy environment.You are the first line of defense
in preventing injuries! Many injuries at the learn-to-play level will be minor
in nature, but the reality is that injuries are common in sports. Parents and
players don’t always like to hear this, but it is a reality, and it is vital you
become knowledgeable in the ways to reduce or prevent injuries. After
you have learned the proper safety measures, you must educate your
parents and players to ensure the safest environment possible.
•
Injury Prevention
•
Proper Fitting And Purchasing Of Equipment
•
On-Surface Safety
Injury Prevention
•
Gather complete health information on your players to keep on
file, including reports on previous injuries.
•
Get a health insurance number for every player.
•
Have basic knowledge of first aid.
•
Become familiar with emergency procedures in the arena.
•
Carry a cell phone if you have one.
Proper Fitting Of Equipment
Explain the importance of equipment and how it gives confidence to
the new player, takes away the fear factor and helps prevent injuries. It is
important to demonstrate to the parents and the players the proper fit of
each piece of equipment.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Mandatory Equipment For 18-And-Under Inline Players
Skates
•
Must provide good support and protection in the toe
•
Wheels — soft for smooth surfaces such as a sport court or a rollon or painted surface; hard for asphalt and other cement surfaces
Helmet
•
A helmet designed for hockey
•
Helmet strap properly fastened
•
Available in different sizes — must not move around on the head
• Must cover temple, forehead and the base of skull
Facemask
•
Full facemask designed for hockey with a chin cup
•
Available as a clear plastic shield or as a wire cage
• Fastened to helmet so that it will not make contact with the face
Mouthguard
• Colored (non-clear) internal mouth guard
Elbow Pads
•
Must cover and protect complete elbow joint with good shockabsorbing material
• Should not slide up or down the arm
Gloves
•
Gloves designed for hockey
•
Must be well-padded over the fingers, thumb and back of hand
• Should fit snug, yet be flexible and allow for movement
Knee/Shin Pads
•
Knee/shin pads designed for hockey
•
Protect shinbone and knee cap
•
Kneepad should provide extra protection and be made of hard
plastic
•
When fitted over the knee, the pad should not go below the top
of the skate
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Hockey Stick
•
Stick length — with the skates on, the stick should come up
between the collarbone and chin
•
The blade of the stick can be taped many different ways, but the
end of the stick should be covered
•
Junior sticks are recommended for younger players because they
provide a narrower grip and a smaller blade
Athletic Supporter and Protective Cup
• Purchase according to waist size
Hockey Bag
4
•
Select according to player size; younger and beginning players
usually require junior sizes
•
Hockey bags with side pockets for skates and accessories allow for
extra space and storage
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Purchasing Equipment
Do not buy equipment hoping the player will grow into it. The child
will get discouraged, because equipment that is too big causes discomfort
and will hinder performance. We recommend that the player try on all
equipment before purchasing it. Remind parents there are some great
deals on used and new equipment, so shop wisely, but don’t disregard the
importance of protection.
On-Surface Safety
•
Inform parents and players that all gates and doors should be
closed on the surface at all times when practicing.
•
Make sure helmets are on when the player comes on to the
surface and that they remain on throughout the practice.
•
Make sure your players are properly warmed up at the beginning
of practice and are cooled down when finishing.
•
Exercise good judgement in evaluating surface conditions. Some
surfaces are not fit for players to skate and may cause injury.
•
When an injury occurs, stay calm and objective, and direct other
players to the bench or opposite side of the rink.
•
Make sure you allow your players time for appropriate water
breaks.
•
If a player is injured, try to minimize any movement and try to get
the player to describe the injury. If the injury is to the head or
neck, do not remove the player’s helmet.
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week one — on-surface
55 minutes
INTRODUCTION TO
INLINE HOCKEY
Key Objectives:
Ready Position
T-Start/T-Stop
Two-Foot Glide
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard and water bottles.
Warm-Up
5 minutes
Using half the surface, allow the players to skate around on their own
to let them get comfortable with their surroundings. Players will be
tentative and nervous at this time.
The Ready Position
5 minutes
Start with all the players on the side boards at one end. Make sure the
players are spread out so they have room to skate and fall. Keep in mind
that young skaters have a very short attention span, so keep your
explanations short. Kids enjoy movement.
In a stationary position, cover the principles of the ready position: head
up, knees and ankles bent in a sit position, back fairly straight with the stick
on the surface out in front of the player. Make sure players properly grip
and position their hands on their sticks.
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•
Let the players shuffle back and forth so they get a feel for their
wheels and can test their
balance.
•
Have them perform a
series of knee bends,
so they learn balance.
Encourage them all the
time, especially if one
player falls down. Let
them know that it’s ok
to fall — it means
they’re trying.
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Agility Drill
5 minutes
•
Demonstrate the proper way of getting up off the surface after
falling down by getting up onto one knee first and using your stick
to help with balance
Have the players spread out on the surface in the ready position at
least one arm’s length apart. On the signal, have the players drop to their
knees and get back up into the ready position. Repeat this exercise a
minimum of two times. Next, have the players lie on their stomach and get
up on the whistle into the ready position. Repeat several times.
Walking
7 minutes
Have all the players line up on the side boards. On the signal, players
will walk across to the middle of the surface and stop. Rest for 10 seconds
and continue to the other side. Repeat the drill three more times from
side to side.
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Freeze Tag
5 minutes
Using half the surface, spread the players out. The coach or coaches
will be “it.” When a player has been tagged, he/she stands in place until
another player comes by and tags the helmet. The game is over when all
players have been frozen.
Water Break
5 minutes
Introduction To T-Start/T-Stop
2 minutes
A. T-Start
Start in the ready position:
•
Stick down, head up, knees and ankles bent
Proper technique of the T-Start
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
•
Front skate straight ahead
•
Back skate sideways behind the front skate almost touching the
heel of the front skate
•
Weight on the inside wheels of the back skate
•
Start by thrusting forward and fully extending the pushing leg
• Knees and ankle of front leg should be bent for full extension
B. T-Stop
•
Head up and stick down out in
front
•
Turn one skate sideways just
behind the front skate
•
Keep front skate pointing
straight ahead and
knee bent
•
Drag the back skate on
the
surface,
fully
extending the back leg
•
The harder the drag,
the easier it will be to
stop
Proper technique of the T-Stop
Introduction Of Two-Foot Glide
•
Players should be in the ready
position
•
Common errors to correct
with beginners:
• Knees and ankles cave in
• Legs are straight
• Upper body leans too far
forward
• Head is looking down
• Stick is in the air
Practice Plan Manual
2 minutes
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T-Start/Glide/T-Stop
7 minutes
Players line up along the side boards in the ready position. On the
whistle, players will begin with a T-start, take several strides and glide
across the surface, remaining in the basic hockey stance. Players will then
stop on the whistle or at a designated spot. Repeat several times.
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Cops And Robbers
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5 minutes
Put two players in one circle using pylons or the lines on the rink. The
two players try to get to the other circle without being tagged by the
other players. Rotate everyone so each player gets a chance to be chased.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Scrimmage
7 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on
each sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the players
unwind. Add whistles into the game, signaling players drop to their knees,
get up and continue to play.
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week two — classroom
45 minutes
INLINE HOCKEY
RULES & PENALTIES
Coaches: The chapters for classroom weeks one and
two should be given in the form of handouts to parents.
THE RULES OF THE GAME
Learning and being knowledgeable in the rules of the game will help
continue the growth and development of your players and decrease the
potential for injuries.
The Basics
•
Inline hockey is a fast-moving sport played with four players and
one goaltender for each team on the surface.
•
Inline hockey is a very wide-open offensive game with most rinks
playing without any offside or clearing rules.
•
There is no body checking or fighting allowed in inline hockey. Both
infractions carry severe penalties against the offending player(s).
•
Inline hockey normally features two 20-25 minute running-time
halves or two 15-minute stop-time halves, depending on the level
of competition.
•
Inline hockey is played with a puck or a ball, depending on the
surface. On a smooth surface such as sport court, the game is
played with a puck. On asphalt, the game is played with a ball for
better control.
The Players
Each team starts the game with two forwards, two defensemen and a
goaltender.The most exciting part of inline hockey is that it is so offensive.
At anytime during the game, it is not uncommon to see defensemen
rushing the puck and assuming the role of a forward. Generally, the
forwards provide most of the offense, but players need to learn both
positions because they are constantly switching back and forth. The
goaltender’s job in inline hockey is probably the toughest because he/she
sees so many quality scoring opportunities and has to stop a lot of shots.
The Penalty Box
Instructors: Cover each penalty with the player and parents using the
“Know Your Inline Hockey” brochure provided with the manual.
Of course there is a set of rules by which the players must abide.
When a player breaks one of these rules, the team must play with fewer
players on the surface.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Minor Penalty
The offending player is sent to the penalty box for two minutes while
his/her team plays shorthanded. If the opposing team scores a goal during
the penalty, the penalty automatically
terminates. (Minor infractions include
hooking, holding, tripping, slashing,
elbowing, etc.)
Major Penalty
The offending player is sent to the
penalty box for five minutes while the
team plays shorthanded for the full five
minutes, regardless of goals scored by the
opposing team. (Major infractions include
fighting, injuring an opponent with a high
stick, slashing or other stick infractions)
Open up the floor for questions
during the last 10 minutes.
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week two — on-surface
55 minutes
STOPS, STARTS &
FORWARD STRIDE
Key Objectives:
Review
Forward Stride
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, soccer
ball, whistle, clipboard and water bottles.
Warm-Up
5 minutes
Using half the surface, have players glide, pointing their skates in and
out around in a clockwise motion around the surface. On the next
whistle, have players drop to their knees, get up and keep going. Have the
players reverse directions and continue the drill.
Review Of Ready Position/Stops/Starts
2 minutes
Red Light/Green Light
8 minutes
Players line up at the side boards in the ready position. Coach will be
in the center, facing away from the players. Coach yells “green light,”
signaling players to go. Then the coach yells “red light” and turns around.
At this time, the players should be T-stopping (or performing a one-foot
drag). If a player falls or does not stop in time, he/she will go back to the
starting line.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Water Break
5 minutes
Introduction To Forward Stride
3 minutes
•
Start in the ready position
•
Bend glide leg and push off (thrust) on inside part of wheels, fully
extending the leg
•
Bring stride leg back (recovery) under the body, almost touching
the heel of the glide leg
•
Arms should be going in same direction as legs
Proper technique of the Forward Stride
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Forward Stride Drill
10 minutes
Players line up on the side boards. Using the T-start, push off using only
the right leg. Left leg (support leg) must be bent with the left skate
pointing straight ahead. The drill is finished when players reach the
opposite boards.
On the way back, push off using only the left leg. Repeat the drill one
more time.
Finally, alternate both legs (left leg stride/recover, right leg
stride/recover) and repeat several times.
*
Remind kids that this is not a race, and emphasize the
importance of technique.
Agility Course
7 minutes
Line players up in both corners. Place pylons in a “zig-zag” pattern on
each side of the net up to the center red line. One player from each line
will go and stop at each pylon. After stopping, the player will continue to
the next pylon.The next player does not start until the first player reaches
third pylon. Repeat back. This can be turned into a relay race if time
permits.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
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Torpedo Alley
7 minutes
Coach lines up players’ sticks down the surface in two rows. Players
(the submarines) line up at the end of the alley, while coaches stand on the
outside of the sticks with pylons (on the end of the stick) or tennis balls
ready to launch at the kids as they go through. If a player gets hit, he/she
goes to a designated spot, such as the players’ bench, until the game ends.
Let the kids pass through several times to keep the game exciting.
Remember to have “safe zones,” giving players time to slow down when
reaching the boards or center red line.
SAFE ZONE
BENCH
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Soccer Scrimmage
8 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Use pylons as goals across from each other
on each sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four with the soccer
ball to let the players unwind.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
week three — on-surface
55 minutes
TURNS &
CROSSOVERS
Key Objectives:
Review
Power Turns
Forward Crossovers
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard and water bottles.
Stretch ‘N’ Easy Warm-Up
5 minutes
Set up pylons inside the zone. Have players skate easily around them
in the same direction. Players bring their legs in and out to stretch, and
lift the stick high, then bring it down holding it with both hands and touch
the toes. Players then spread the legs out and touch the surface with their
sticks flat out in the front. Signal the players to speed up and slow down
on the whistle. Add stops and starts.
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Review Forward Stride, Stops And Starts
2 minutes
Train Relay
5 minutes
Form teams of five. Players line up on the goal line. Game ends at the
high face off dots. Each person on the team holds the person in front of
him by the waist. On the signal, the whole team pushes each other to the
center red line. Members of the team cannot lose hold of the person in
front.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Introduction To Turning
3 minutes
Remind players of the following:
•
Keep their heads and inside shoulders up when turning.
•
Use the outside wheels of the inside skate and the inside wheels
of the outside skate
•
Tilt their ankles in the direction of the turn and transfer weight to
the inside wheels
•
Remind them to keep their feet shoulder-width apart and to stay
low, bending at the knees and ankles
•
Keep their stick out in front and turn hips in the direction of the
turn
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Agility Turning Drill
10 minutes
Start the drill by setting up four pylons one at each face-off dot. Players
will start in the corner. On the signal, the first player will skate to second
pylon, turn and skate to the pylon straight across, make another turn,
repeating again at the third pylon and back to the same corner. Once the
player reaches second pylon, the next player will go. The second time
through have players begin the drill going the opposite direction. A
possible progression if time allows is to have all the players line up in the
corner and have a course of pylons “snake” through the zone. Instruct the
players to follow this pattern to its end. When the first player reaches the
third pylon, the next player will go.
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Water Break
5 minutes
Introduction To Crossovers
3 minutes
•
Start in the ready position: head up, stick down out in front
•
The inside leg grips the surface and drives underneath outside leg
•
The outside leg
goes over and
in front of the
driving
inside
leg
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Circles
8 minutes
Have four to five players line up at a circle (you may use less depending
on the number of players). Players will remain at the circle the coach
designates. Players begin skating counter-clockwise. Switch direction after
several minutes.
Chase The Rabbit
7 minutes
Pick two players to be the “rabbits” and give them a starting spot.The
remaining players will line up on the boards facing the “rabbits.” Use the
width of the surface to set up cones or nets which the kids must go
around on the chase. On the signal, the “rabbits” must go around the
surface one time without getting tagged. Be sure to switch players in as
the “rabbits” and go the opposite direction the next round.
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Scrimmage
7 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on
each sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the players
unwind. Add players doing a quick turn on your whistle and resume play.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
week four — on-surface
55 minutes
STICKHANDLING
Key Objectives:
Review
Pushing The Puck
Stationary Stickhandling
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard and water bottles.
Figure-Eight Warm-Up
5 minutes
Have the players skate in a figure-eight direction. Start out slow and
increase speed. Express the importance of skating with the head up. Switch
direction after several minutes.
Review Turns And Crossovers
2 minutes
Circle Tag
7 minutes
Players line up around a circle, spreading out an arm’s length apart.
Players stand on the perimeter of the circle facing inward. One player is
designated as “it.” This player will move around the circle in a clockwise
direction and tag one of the players who is standing at the circle facing in.
This player chases “it,” who sprints back to the vacated spot. If “it” is
tagged before getting to the spot, he/she will remain “it.”
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Introduction To Stickhandling
•
Players should stand with feet about shoulderwidth apart.
•
Remind them to keep the head
up (this will be difficult, but it
is important).
•
Place the puck in the
middle of the stick,
cupped with the curved
side of the blade.
•
Players should roll the
wrists over.
•
Remind them, “Soft hands, relax.”
•
Explain the three zones: A, B and C.
Practice Plan Manual
3 minutes
Proper grip
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Stationary Stickhandling
8 minutes
The players will stand in place in the ready position to work on
stationary stickhandling (cupping the puck, rolling the wrists over). Have
the players stickhandle out in front of their bodies in a side-to-side
motion. Continue for 30 seconds and stop. Do this a minimum of five
times.
Puck Push
7 minutes
Have the players start across the side boards. All players will have a
puck. On the signal, they will skate forward, pushing the puck on their
forehand and T-stopping at the far boards. Make sure the players don’t
push the puck too far in front of them. Do this several times.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Water Break
5 minutes
Sharks And Minnows
8 minutes
Players line up across boards with pucks. Coach or coaches will be in
the middle. The barriers are the center red line and the goal line. A player
going outside of these lines will become a “shark.” On the signal, the
players will try to stickhandle through this area without getting their puck
stolen by a coach. If the player loses the puck, he/she will become a
“shark” and help the coach steal the remaining players’ pucks. Game
continues until there is one player remaining with a puck. Remember to
designate “safe zones,” which allow players to slow down before reaching
the boards.
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One-On-One Scrimmage/Free Time
10 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on each
sideboard. On the signal, the first player from each side goes. The coach
will dump the puck into either corner. They play it out until someone
scores. The coach will continue to add more one on ones, so there are
always four being played on the surface. Once a player scores, he/she goes
back to the center red line.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
week five — on-surface
55 minutes
PASSING
Key Objectives:
Review
Stationary Passing (Forehand & Backhand)
Passing While Skating
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard and water bottles.
Follow The Leader
5 minutes
The coach starts the drill by skating in any direction with all the players
following in single file. Use stretching techniques while skating that your
players must mimic and use your imagination to make it fun.Add dropping
to the knees, rolling over, jumps. If time allows, add pucks into the drill.The
coach can also use a player to be the leader in this drill.
Stickhandling Review
2 minutes
Chaos
5 minutes
All players have pucks. From the center red line in, players stickhandle,
keeping their heads up. On the signal, players speed up. Coach will move
the pylons closer and closer to the goal line each time, so players will have
to really try to keep their heads up. Players must stay inside the pylons.
Repeat several times.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Obstacle Course
7 minutes
Players begin in the corner. On the signal, the first player will weave
through a set of pylons, then run/walk over sticks on the surface. After
running through the sticks, players will crawl under the obstacle without
knocking the stick over, finishing back in the corner where the drill started.
Introduction To Passing
3 minutes
Demonstrate passing fundamentals:
•
Ready position, stick down, head up and look at the target
•
Puck in the middle of the stick, lined up with the back foot
•
Follow through from the back foot to the front, rolling the wrists
over
•
When receiving the pass, start with the stick at the front foot (A
Zone) and cushion the puck back through B Zone (space between
legs) to the back foot (Zone C)
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Stationary Passing
7 minutes
Have players line up about 10 feet across from each other to work on
forehand passes. After several minutes, have the players switch to their
backhands. Continue several times through on the forehand and backhand.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Player In The Middle
5 minutes
Have five (may vary) players on a circle passing to each other. Next,
put one player in the middle.This player can move freely inside the circle
but cannot leave the circle boundaries. The four remaining players will
attempt to pass away from the player in the middle. If the player in the
middle intercepts the puck, the player who made the pass will go to the
middle of the circle.
Water Break
5 minutes
Relay Race
8 minutes
Divide players up into two or three teams on the goal line. The first
two players on each team pass to each other to the center red line, stop
and come back the other way. Once the first two players reach the goal
line, the next pair receives the pass from the first pair and continues.
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Inside-Out Scrimmage
8 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on each
sideboard, facing the boards. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the
players unwind.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
week six — on-surface
55 minutes
SHOOTING
Key Objectives:
Review
Shooting
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard, water bottles, nerf balls and tennis balls.
Agility And Balance Warm-Up
5 minutes
Players skate clockwise around the nets. On the signal, players will
speed up, then slow down on the next signal.Add a variety of exercises in
the warm-up. Have players jump on the signal and also have them do 360°
spins. Add pucks and have players kick pucks with their skates while
skating. Finally, have players stickhandle around the nets, dropping to their
knees on the signal while still maintaining control of the puck.
Passing Review
2 minutes
Dodgeball
5 minutes
The players line up along the boards.The coach starts with soccer/nerf
balls. On the signal, players will attempt to get to the other side without
getting hit by one of the balls. If a player gets hit, he/she must go to the
bench and remain there until the end of the game. Make “safe zones” so
BENCH
SAFE ZONE
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
the players can slow down before they reach the side boards. If a player
catches the nerf ball, all players who were out can come back into the
game.
Introduction To Shooting
3 minutes
Proper technique of the Forehand Shot
Stress the principles of shooting.
•
Feet — about shoulder width apart
•
Puck in the middle of the stick
•
Ready position
•
Start a with puck at the back foot (Zone C)
•
Transfer weight from the back (Zone C to B) to the front foot
(Zone A) and release with the follow through
•
Aim at the target
Proper technique of the Backhand Shot
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Individual Target Practice
10 minutes
Have the players spread out around the rink.They should be no more
than 10 feet from the boards. Each player will remain in that spot with a
puck.They should start by taking forehand shots against the boards. After
several minutes have them switch to their backhands.
Scatterball
7 minutes
This is a shooting game that uses either tennis balls or pucks. Divide
the group into two teams on each side of the surface.The teams will shoot
the tennis balls at the opposing team’s side. On the whistle, the team with
the least amount of tennis balls on its side wins the game.This game should
be played for two straight minutes. Take a one-minute break, then play
again for two more minutes.
Water Break
46
5 minutes
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Pass, Slalom ‘N’ Shoot Drill
8 minutes
Divide players up into two groups at opposite boards. Set up three to
four spaced pylons on the surface at least 10 feet ahead of the players.Two
coaches are needed for this drill. One coach will be off to the side of each
line, waiting to receive a pass from the player. One player from each side
makes a pass to a coach and begins skating.The player receives a pass back
from the coach and continues skating, weaving through the pylons with the
puck and finishing with a shot on net. Once the shot is taken, the player
will go to the end of the other line.
Scrimmage
10 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on
each sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the players
unwind.
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week seven — on-surface
55 minutes
BACKWARD
SKATING
Key Objectives:
Review
Backward Walking
Backward Glide
Backward Stride
Backward Stopping
Coaches: Don’t forget to bring pucks, pylons, whistle,
clipboard and water bottles.
Puck Skills Warm-Up
5 minutes
Using half the surface, all players will skate clockwise with a puck. On
the coach’s signal, players will skate faster with their pucks, then slow
down on the next signal. Repeat, going the other direction. Also, have
players drop to their knees with the puck and get up on the signal. Finally,
have players stop/turn on the signal and go the other direction.
Review Shooting/Stationary Shooting
5 minutes
Players spread out along the surface and practice wrist shots and
backhands 10 feet from the boards.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Scoro
6 minutes
Divide the players into two teams. Have each team spread out along
the hash marks and face in toward each other. Pucks (10-15) will be in a
row in the middle of the teams. On the whistle, players will race for the
pucks and attempt to score as many as they can into the other team’s net.
The team scoring the most goals wins the game.
Backward Stance/Walking Drill
5 minutes
Players start out on the side boards, facing the boards. Players will be
in their ready position with skates in an inverted “V” position. On the
coach’s signal, players will walk backwards across the rink, lifting their
skates off the surface. Emphasize shifting weight from one side to the
other. Repeat, walking back the other direction.
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Pom-Pom Pullaway Game
5 minutes
Line up all players in one end. Coaches are “it” or they designate two
players to be “it.” The “it” players shout “Pom-Pom Pullaway,” and the rest
try to skate to the far end without being tagged. If they get tagged, they
have to help the two coaches/players tag everyone else. Remember assign
“safe zones” for the players to give them time to slow down.
SAFE ZONE
Water Break
52
5 minutes
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Backward Gliding
7 minutes
Players line up facing the side boards. On the
coach’s signal, they push themselves away from the
boards and glide as far as they can backwards.
Repeat four to five times.
Introduction To Backward C-Cuts
2 minutes
Go over the basics of backwards c-cuts:
•
Start from ready position. Backwards ready position is much like
sitting in a chair — head up, chest back, feet shoulder width apart.
•
Turn heel of right skate
outward as far as
possible.
•
Extend the right
leg, using the
inside wheels of
the right skate,
pushing hard,
using weight on
the driving leg.
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53
•
The other leg is the support leg, and it stays bent and straight
ahead under the body.
•
After thrust, return the right leg back under body next to left
skate.
•
Repeat the technique with left skate.
Backward Skating/C-Cuts
7 minutes
Have players place their hands on the boards, approximately shoulder
width apart. In a stationary position, have players practice making c-cuts
with both skates. After several minutes, have players back away from the
boards and skate the width of the surface, using the correct principles.
Repeat several times, skating across the surface.
C
C
C
C
C
C
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C
C C
C
C
C C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
C
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Scrimmage
8 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on each
sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the players unwind.
Practice Plan Manual
55
week eight — on-surface
55 minutes
FUN AND SKILLS
Key Objectives:
Review
Skill Session
Tag With Pucks Warm-Up
5 minutes
All players start with pucks. Coaches are “it.” On the coach’s signal,
players will skate around anywhere in the zone trying to keep their pucks
away from the coaches. If the coach steals a puck, he/she must shoot it
into one of the nets. If the coach scores the player’s puck, that player now
becomes “it” with the coaches. If the coach misses the net, the puck is still
live and the player can remain in the game. Play will continue until one
player is left with a puck.
Review Backward Skating Stride
2 minutes
Backward Skating Drill
8 minutes
Have players line up along the boards. On the coach’s signal, players
will skate backward to the other side. Repeat three to four times. Add
backward stopping to this drill on your signal.
S
S
S
58
S
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
British Bulldog
7 minutes
Coaches will make a circle out of pylons in the center on one end of
the surface. Players will line up on the goal line. On the signal, players will
try to make it to the center red line without getting tagged by a nerf ball
thrown by a coach. If a player gets hit he/she will go to that circle (pylon
circle) and wait to be freed by another player. The only way a player can
be freed is if that player tags up with another player skating by who is still
in the game. If all players get tagged (are in the circle), the game is over.
“Navy Seals” Stop And Start Game
7 minutes
Players will begin on the side boards. At these side boards where the
game begins players will be in the “Army.” The first set of faceoff dots
represents the “Navy,” the second set is the “Air Force.” The far boards
are the “Marines.” In order for a player to get to the other side he/she
must follow all of the coach’s commands. Coach can use any command:
MARINES
S
S
AIR FORCE
S
S
S
S
S
NAVY
ARMY
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Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines. For example, if the coach says “Air Force”
players will skate as fast as they can to the Air Force spot and stop. The
Last player to stop is out. Then the coach can say “Navy.” Players must
hustle to that spot. Coach can use fakes and try to get a player to move
to the wrong spot. Coach can use the phrase “hit the deck” meaning
players drop down to the surface and remain there until the next
command. Coaches can be creative, as this is a stop/start game to make
the players think and work. Last player remaining in the game will become
the Navy Seal.
Water Break
5 minutes
Musical Pucks
7 minutes
Coaches can use the circles that are in the zone or can make larger
circles to accommodate more players. If there are six players at a circle,
five pucks go in the middle. Players will skate in a clockwise around the
circle. On the signal, players will skate for the pucks and play keep away
in the middle without leaving the circle. On the next signal, players will
stop, and the player without the puck will be eliminated from the game.
Game continues with five players and four pucks. Game is over when one
player is left.
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
Scrimmage
7 minutes
Using only half the surface, have the players line up across the center
red line on each side of you. Place the nets across from each other on
each sideboard. Play three-on-three or four-on-four to let the players
unwind.
Award Ceremony
7 minutes
Once the scrimmage is over, line the players up and present them with
the Learn-To-Play certificates. This is a great time to acknowledge the
players in the program. It is important to individually recognize the players
for their efforts and hard work.
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THANKS
USA Hockey InLine wishes to thank the following coaches for their
help and expertise with the content of the USA Hockey InLine Learn-ToPlay Program.Their advice and contributions to these manuals have been
greatly appreciated.
RESOURCES
USA Hockey Initiation Program
Coaching Youth Hockey — American Sport Education Program
USA Hockey InLine Super-Skills Video Series
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USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
NOTES
Practice Plan Manual
63
NOTES
64
USA Hockey InLine Learn-To-Play Program
USA HOCKEY INLINE
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1775 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
800-888-INLN
www.usahockeyinline.com