A GUIDE TO DEVELOPING INITIATION AND NOVICE AGED
HOCKEY PLAYERS IN SASKATCHEWAN
A GUIDE TO DEVELOPING INITIATION AND NOVICE AGED
HOCKEY PLAYERS IN SASKATCHEWAN
2016-17
2016-17
INITIATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cross Ice Mandate 2016/2017…………………………………………………..……………..........3
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………..………………3
Rules and Regulations……..……………..............................................................………3
Coaching Requirements/Mentorship……............................................................…3
Why Cross Ice?…………………….............................................................................…4
Cross Ice vs. Full Ice Statistics………………................................................................4
General Organization…………………….................................................................……5
General Spirit of Participation and Fun and Benefits……………....................…………5
Myths about Cross Ice Hockey……………………………........................................………6
Hosting Cross Ice Tournaments……………….......................................................……7
Cross Ice Tournament Schedule Template ..............................................................8
SHA Cross Ice Jamborees……..............……..................................................…………9
Cross Ice Dividers…………………........................................................................……10
Conclusion……………………..................................................................................…10
Cross Ice Videos………………….............................................................................…10
NOVICE
Half Ice Recommendation 2016/2017………………………………....…………………………11
Recommended Standard…………………………………………....................................……11
General Information………………………………...........................................................11
Half Ice Benefits………………........................................................................…………11
Rink Setup……………………………................................................................……………12
Coaching Requirements……………..............................................................…………13
OFFICIATING
Overview………………………………………………........................................…………………13
Benefits and Procedures……………………………………………………....…………………….....14
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….....................………15
2
INITIATION
CROSS ICE MANDATE
THE SASKATCHEWAN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED AND APPROVED
NEW CRITERIA FOR ALL INITIATION PLAYERS. EFFECTIVE FOR THE 2016-17
PLAYING SEASON, CROSS ICE HOCKEY WILL NOW BE THE STANDARD FOR AGE
APPROPRIATE PLAYERS - INCLUDING ALL GAMES AND SCRIMMAGES.
INTRODUCTION
The Saskatchewan Grassroots Development Model provides age-appropriate
guidelines for Initiation and Novice players as well as a curriculum to Minor
Hockey Associations across Saskatchewan to work towards the common goal of
helping more kids to play, excel and love the great of hockey in a positive environment.
In addition the Saskatchewan Grassroots Development Model offers guidance as
to how young officials can gain valuable experience and can play an integral role
with the proper guidance so all participants enjoy the game of hockey.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ALL GAMES AND PRACTICES AT THE INITIATION LEVEL SHALL USE MODIFIED ICE
SURFACES CONSISTING OF CROSS ICE SECTIONS AS OF THE 2016/17 SEASON.
It is important to note that there are NO exceptions to this regulation in regards
to the participation in games and practices at the Initiation level which would
include ALL exhibition, regular season and tournament games.
SHA mandates that all tournament games will be played either using Cross Ice or
Half Ice formats.
Associations applying for a tournament sanction MUST indicate which format
they will be using.
INITIATION COACHING REQUIREMENTS
HEAD COACHES – Must have Coach 1 - Intro to Coach & Respect in Sport
ASSISTANT COACHES - Must have Coach 1 - Intro to Coach & Respect in Sport
MANAGER, TRAINER, VOLUNTEER, STICK BOY – Must have Respect in Sport
HOCKEY CANADA SAFETY PROGRAM (HCSP LEVEL 1 OR HU SAFETY) – 1 of the
registered team officials (manager, coach, trainer or volunteer).
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IP COACH MENTORSHIP
SHA with the support of the Minor Hockey Association will appoint an IP Mentor
to an assigned region.
Duties include; regular visits to supervise, mentor the IP Coach(s), offer Coach 1
clinics and promote the benefits of Cross Ice hockey.
WHY CROSS ICE?
Cross Ice hockey, or hockey on a smaller surface, is an important part of age-appropriate
training for Initiation and even Novice players. Using a smaller surface in Initiation hockey
offers several benefits, including increased puck battles, increased puck touches for all
players, puck carriers will have to avoid more players in the small areas, etc. All of these
benefits are extremely important in the long-term development of each player.
Cross Ice hockey is based on a model of practicing and playing hockey across the 85 foot
width of the ice surface as compared to practicing and playing lengthways along the full
200 foot length of the ice surface.
This Cross Ice practicing and playing model has been used in many leading hockey nations
around the world for a number of years and has stood the test of time. It has been tested
and proved that children who begin their hockey training in this environment have an
outstanding hockey experience. Parents may ask the question why should my child play
Cross Ice hockey? What benefits will this bring? And they may believe that they want
their child playing like the professionals do, on full ice, because they want their child to
experience “real hockey”.
To help address these questions, let’s think about a child trying to skate with a puck while
performing a drill the entire 200 feet from one end of the rink to the other. How long will
this take? How much energy will this require? Will the player’s decision-making skills be
enhanced more in the close action of the smaller Cross Ice surface or in the wide-open
area of the full ice surface? In which situation will the child be more involved in the action?
CROSS ICE VS. FULL ICE STATISTICS
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GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF CROSS ICE
99 More efficient use of ice time and space.
99 The size of the rink is in proportion to the size of the players.
99 The child sized goal nets are in proportion with the size of players.
99 The middle zone is available for other purposes (player’s bench, warm-up
area, skill competition) while games are played in the end zones.
99 Recommend that teams play with two or three units of four or five players
and one goalkeeper which results in each player having more ice time.
99 The use of the Blue 4oz pucks is recommended.
99 More ice time for practicing and playing is made available to more teams
within a single Association.
99 Many teams can practice and play by sharing the ice surface.
99 Drills designed according to the varying skill levels of players within the
group are easier to organize.
GENERAL SPIRIT OF PARTICIPATION, FUN AND BENEFITS OF CROSS ICE
99 More children get a chance to play hockey.
99 Hockey IQ, or understanding the principles of the game, is being developed
at a young age.
99 More children will experience a feeling of success when playing hockey.
99 The same exciting and fun environment as in a “real” game is created.
99 All children, regardless of skill level, will benefit from close/tight action on
the ice.
99 Children are excited and motivated to continue playing hockey.
99 Hockey will be more appealing and rewarding to a wider range of children
and their parents.
99 Group sizes become smaller which means learning and teaching will become
more effective.
99 The close feeling of belonging to a team will motivate a child to participate
with even greater enthusiasm.
99 More repetition/frequency in drills.
99 More frequent line changes in the game means more ice time for each player.
99 Children remain active between their shifts with various activities in the
neutral zone.
99 The feeling of being an important part of the action increases because of the
small size of the rink.
99 The children have more energy with which they can improve their skills
when they are skating 85 feet across the ice surface as opposed to the 200
foot length of the ice surface.
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99 Playing on a smaller surface allows for more puck contact resulting in improved puck control skills.
99 The higher tempo of cross ice games results in players needing to make
quicker decisions. Cross ice enhances the ability of players do this.
99 Individual technical skills develop more quickly.
99 Scoring skills are enhanced and although child sized goal nets are not mandatory, using these will give the players more accurate shooting opportunities.
99 More repetition for goalkeeper’s which improves reading of the game, and
reaction to changing game situations becomes more effective.
99 The game is full of continuously changing situations.
99 The speed in playing situations increases, which will require quicker mental
and physical reactions by the players. This is because there are no unnecessary breaks in the game.
MYTHS ABOUT CROSS ICE HOCKEY
Myth #1: To develop understanding of positional play and off-sides, 8-year-olds
should play full ice hockey.
Truth:
99 Not only can positional play and off-sides be taught with Cross Ice hockey, it
can be taught more efficiently than in a full-ice environment.
99 When the puck is dropped, positional play becomes a player’s relationship
to the puck, the opponent and the net. All of these elements are key components of the small-area games. By teaching these concepts in the context
of small-area games (spacing, gap control, angles, support, body positioning), players not only learn the concepts, but also learn them more efficiently
thanks to increased repetitions.
99 Regarding off-sides, it can be easily taught by using a marker and drawing a
line across the middle of a Cross Ice environment. This line represents the
offensive blue line. And, much like positional play, it can be taught more efficiently through Cross Ice play, since the number of zone entries (and especially
non-breakaway zone entries) is dramatically increased in a Cross Ice scenario.
Myth #2: Long Term Player Development (LTPD) fails in youth goalie development.
Kids need to be identified as goaltenders and taught goaltending specific skills at
young ages.
Truth:
99 Almost none of the NHL’s top goaltenders began playing between the pipes
until they were at least 9 years old. Finland, which is viewed as a model for
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producing great goaltenders, doesn’t let kids play full-time in goal until age
10. Goaltending experts worldwide state that, at 8U, it’s far more important
to develop overall athleticism and skating ability than goaltending technique.
99 As Kevin Woodley recently wrote in InGoal Magazine, "Most NHL goaltending coaches will tell you they’d rather add some structure to a skilled athletic
goalie than try to add athleticism to a technician." Thus, the LTPD emphasis
on development of athleticism at young ages is ideal for skaters and future
goalies alike.
Myth #3: Cross Ice practices don’t provide enough skating, especially long skates.
Truth:
99 Forty to fifty percent of every practice plan is skating-focused.
99 The Cross Ice environment requires children to take an equivalent number of
strides to what an adult takes when covering a full ice sheet. It’s simply scaled
for a child’s leg length.
99 Skating form deteriorates over long distances. Age-appropriate skill development emphasizes development of proper skating form and an increase in
quality strides. But most importantly, what separates players at advancing levels of hockey is their ability to turn, stop, start and change direction. These are
the skating skills that are vital to becoming a successful hockey player – and
these are the skating skills emphasized with small-area games and Cross Ice
hockey.
HOSTING CROSS ICE TOURNAMENTS
99 Tournament rules MUST meet Saskatchewan Hockey Association regulations.
99 All participating Teams MUST be governed by the Saskatchewan Hockey
Association.
99 For a 45 minute ice allotment, games will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute straight time periods.
99 For an hour ice allotment, games will consist of two (2) twenty-five (25) minute straight time periods.
99 Teams will NOT change ends after each period.
99 Coaches are encouraged to be on the ice.
99 Time-outs are NOT allowed to be called by any team.
99 TOURNAMENT FORMAT: Initiation - In an eight (8) team format. See Below.
99 There will be NO overtime played.
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CROSS ICE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE TEMPLATE
45 Minute Ice Allotment
1 hour Ice Allotment
Time
Teams
Rink
Pool
Time
Teams
9:00am-9:45am
Team 1 vs. Team 2
1
A
9:00am-10:00am
Team 1 vs. Team 2
Rink Pool
1
A
9:00am-9:45am
Team 3 and Team 4
2
A
9:00am-10:00am
Team 3 and Team 4
2
A
10:00am-10:45am
Team 5 vs. Team 6
1
B
10:00am-11:00am
Team 5 vs. Team 6
1
B
10:00am-10:45am
Team 7 and Team 8
2
B
10:00am-11:00am
Team 7 and Team 8
2
B
11:00am-11:45am
Team 2 vs. Team 3
1
A
11:00am-12:00pm
Team 2 vs. Team 3
1
A
11:00am-11:45am
Team 4 and Team 1
2
A
11:00am-12:00pm
Team 4 and Team 1
2
A
12:00pm-12:45pm
Team 6 vs. Team 5
1
B
12:00pm-1:00pm
Team 6 vs. Team 5
1
B
12:00pm-12:45pm
Team 8 and Team 7
2
B
12:00pm-1:00pm
Team 8 and Team 7
2
B
1:00pm-1:45pm
Team 3 vs. Team 1
1
A
1:00pm-2:00pm
Team 3 vs. Team 1
1
A
1:00pm-1:45pm
Team 2 and Team 4
2
A
1:00pm-2:00pm
Team 2 and Team 4
2
A
2:00pm-2:45pm
Team 7 vs. Team 5
1
B
2:00pm-3:00pm
Team 7 vs. Team 5
1
B
2:00pm-2:45pm
Team 6 and Team 8
2
B
2:00pm-3:00pm
Team 6 and Team 8
2
B
ÆÆ The SHA has labelled which is Rink 1 and which is Rink 2.
ÆÆ The middle of the ice surface can be used for skill development for the
players not playing in the game.
ÆÆ Associations that have cross ice dividers - you will notice a gap in the centre
where there is no divider. This serves as easy access for the players to enter
and exit the game.
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SHA CROSS ICE JAMBOREES
The Saskatchewan Hockey Association released a new program called Cross Ice
Jamborees. A Cross Ice Jamboree is a half day event that consists of four Initiation teams developing their skills in various skill stations as well as a chance to
play Cross Ice Games.
Two teams will play the Cross Ice game for 20 minutes, while the other two teams
will be working on skill development at various stations. After the 20 minutes is
complete the four teams will switch; the two teams that were playing the game
will move to the skills, and the two teams that were doing the skills will move
over and play the Cross Ice game. Each team will get a total of three - 20 minute
Cross Ice Games, and six - 10 minute sessions at the skill stations.
For more information on how to host a Cross Ice Jamboree
please contact Matt at [email protected]
SKILL STATIONS
99 Taught by SHA Instructors.
99 Practice Plans taken from Hockey Canada’s Development Model.
99 All of the skill sessions will use Blue 4oz pucks.
99 HAVE FUN!!
CROSS ICE GAME
99 Games will be 20 minutes.
99 Games can be played 5 on 5 or 4 on 4. The amount of players will vary depending on each team.
99 There will be NO face-offs after a goal is scored, or after a line change. In
both instances a puck will be shot in the corner to resume play.
99 The goal of the NO face-offs during the game is to ensure the players skate
as much as possible during the
20 minutes.
99 Each game will be played with
a Blue 4oz puck.
99 NO permanent goalies.
99 NO specific skater position.
99 NO KEEPING SCORE.
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CROSS ICE DIVIDERS
The Saskatchewan Hockey IS NOT making Cross Ice dividers mandatory for Associations to purchase, but they can be very useful and come in many different
forms. They are used to help stop pucks from crossing into different “zones”.
They also form a barrier that define where kids should be concentrating their
efforts.
Without Athletica Sport Systems Border Patrol Foam Dividers coaches are left to
choose whatever is handy to divide up the rink. Now, an 85 or 100 foot section
of Border Patrol can be set up safely and easily by one person in just a couple of
minutes. And they get put away just as quick when practice is over.
The Border Patrol foam pads are covered with a tear-resistant vinyl, and can be
outfitted with ad ‘windows’, offering an opportunity for revenue.
These dividers also double as a “bench” where kids can sit and listen to instruction, or be set up on the ice as barriers which creates an obstacle course for
puck-handlers.
If Minor Hockey Associations are looking to inquire about the Cross Ice dividers
for their rink they can contact Paula Sealey at [email protected] or check
out the link below for more information.
http://www.athletica.com
CONCLUSION
For young players in the “full-ice game model” of development, the youngest
players would require 180 games and the older youth players would require 80
games to enjoy 60 minutes of actual puck possession time to execute their stickhandling, passing, pass receiving and shooting skills.
Professional and international players would require 60 games to ensure 60 minutes of puck control skill development. Many players never touched the puck
in the game, especially in youth hockey. By giving children the opportunity to
participate in Cross Ice practicing and playing, their enjoyment of hockey as well
as their hockey skills will be greatly enhanced.
VIDEOS
SHA Cross Ice Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KrQ_rYQNXPQ
Hockey USA Analytics Video: https://youtu.be/CB_Ygapyl7c
A Childs View Video: https://youtu.be/cXhxNq59pWg
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NOVICE
HALF ICE RECOMMENDATION
THE SASKATCHEWAN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION HAS DEVELOPED A RECOMMENDED
STANDARD THAT ALL NOVICE PLAYERS PLAY HALF ICE HOCKEY INCLUDING ALL
GAMES AND SCRIMMAGES FOR THE 2016-2017 SEASON.
RECOMMENDED STANDARD
THE RECOMMENDATION IS ALL GAMES AND PRACTICES AT THE NOVICE
LEVEL USE MODIFIED ICE SURFACES CONSISTING OF HALF ICE SECTIONS FOR THE
2016/17 SEASON.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the
Saskatchewan Hockey Association.
GENERAL INFORMATION
99 More efficient use of ice time and space.
99 The size of the rink is in proportion with the size of the players.
99 If used, the child sized goal nets are in proportion with the size of players.
99 Recommend that teams play with two or three units of four or five players
and one goalkeeper which results in each player having more ice time.
99 Regular 6oz pucks may be used.
99 More ice time for practicing and playing is made available to more teams
within a single Association.
99 Many teams can practice and play by sharing the ice surface.
NOVICE HALF ICE BENEFITS
99 More children get to play hockey while progressing into half ice format.
99 Hockey IQ, or understanding the principles of the game, continues to be developed at a young age.
99 The same exciting and fun environment as in a “real” game is created.
99 Both more and less gifted children will benefit from close/tight action on the
ice.
99 Children are excited and motivated to continue playing hockey while progressing into half ice format.
11
99 Hockey will be more appealing and rewarding to a wider range of children
and their parents.
99 Group sizes become smaller which means learning and teaching will become
more effective.
99 The close feeling of belonging to a team will motivate a child to participate
with even greater enthusiasm.
99 The feeling of being an important part of the action increases because of the
small size of the rink.
99 The children have more energy with which they can improve their skills
when they are skating on 100 feet of the ice surface as opposed to the 200
foot length of the full ice surface.
99 Playing on a smaller surface allows for more puck contact resulting in improved puck control skills.
99 Decision-making skills are enhanced as more decisions must be made more
frequently at a higher tempo.
99 Individual technical skills develop more quickly.
99 Scoring skills are enhanced since the players have more shooting opportunities.
99 More repetition for goalkeeper’s which improves reading of the game, and
reaction to changing game situations becomes more effective.
99 The game is full of continuously changing situations.
99 The speed in playing situations increases, which will require quicker mental
and physical reactions by the players.
NOVICE HALF ICE RINK SETUP
Here is an illustration of how the rink would look during Novice half ice games.
12
COACHING REQUIREMENTS
NOVICE (All levels – Male & Female Teams)
HEAD COACHES – Must have Coach 1 – Intro or Coach 2 - Coach Level, Respect
in Sport & Checking
ASSISTANT COACHES - Must have Coach 1 – Intro or Coach 2 - Coach Level &
Respect in Sport
MANAGER, TRAINER, VOLUNTEER, STICK BOY, GOALIE COACH – Must have Respect in Sport
GOALIE COACH CERTIFICATION – Must have 1 registered coach with this certification
CHECKING CERTIFICATION – The Head Coach must have, #8.01.01.g
HOCKEY CANADA SAFETY (HCSP LEVEL 1 OR HU SAFETY) – 1 of the registered
team officials must have this (manager, coach, trainer or volunteer.)
OFFICIATING HALF ICE HOCKEY
OVERVIEW
99 This Officiating Guide is not a mandate to use officials during half ice
games played at the Novice age group.
99 Ultimately, it is still up to the local Minor Hockey Association and the
coaches involved to do what they feel is best for their program within
the Saskatchewan Grassroots Development framework whether that
includes using officials for Novice half ice games or using the coaches
as ‘refs’.
99 Either is acceptable. For those Associations that want to work together
with local officials to invest in the future of officiating in their respective
area, this Guide will provide them with the information and resources to
successfully do so.
99 The use of an official is not something that has to be an entire season,
either. A hockey organization may decide to add a little spice to the
program for the second half of the season or maybe only use officials for
their game days occurring on weekends.
13
BENEFITS OF USING AN OFFICIAL FOR HALF ICE GAMES
99 For the officials, the benefits are numerous and will play a critical role in the
future development of younger officials.
99 Having a younger official skate during the designated game days provides
a valuable opportunity for these newer officials to put on their sweater, pick
up their whistle and go out and learn some basics of officiating in a positive
atmosphere.
99 They will drop some pucks, work on their skating skills, learn to position
themselves out of the way of play while establishing the best possible view
of the play and make some minor decisions (goals, etc.) that will give them
confidence and experience they can’t get at a seminar.
99 This format also provides an excellent opportunity for a more experienced
official to mentor the new official and assist them in honing their skills while
either skating with them on the ice or watching from the stands and talking
after the game.
99 Most importantly, the official will have fun while preparing to advance to full
ice games with more confidence and better skills.
99 On the player side of things, having an official on the ice for the half ice game
will give the feel to both the players and the parents that a real game is taking
place.
14
BENEFITS OF USING AN OFFICIAL FOR HALF ICE GAMES
99 For the officials, the benefits are numerous and will play a critical role in the
future development of younger officials.
99 Having a younger official skate during the designated game days provides
a valuable opportunity for these newer officials to put on their sweater, pick
up their whistle and go out and learn some basics of officiating in a positive
atmosphere.
99 They will drop some pucks, work on their skating skills, learn to position
themselves out of the way of play while establishing the best possible view
of the play and make some minor decisions (goals, etc.) that will give them
confidence and experience they can’t get at a seminar.
99 This format also provides an excellent opportunity for a more experienced
official to mentor the new official and assist them in honing their skills while
either skating with them on the ice or watching from the stands and talking
after the game.
99 Most importantly, the official will have fun while preparing to advance to full
ice games with more confidence and better skills.
99 On the player side of things, having an official on the ice for the half ice game
will give the feel to both the players and the parents that a real game is taking
place.
OFFICIATING PROCEDURES FOR HALF ICE GAMES
99 There is no absolute right way to handle every possible scenario and as long
as the official knows what the expected protocol is prior to the game, it should
not be a problem to adjust and keep the game moving.
99 Face-offs - In most cases, each new shift or beginning of a period will start
with a face-off in the vicinity of the centre area for the space being used.
99 Goals – When the puck enters the goal, the officials can simply signal a goal
and work to get play going again quickly.
99 Frozen pucks – When play needs to be stopped for a goalkeeper freezing the
puck, for a player falling on the puck, the puck is frozen along the boards or
the puck leaves the playing area, the official can either conduct a face-off in
a designated area or can throw another puck off to the side to allow play to
continue.
99 Penalties – Very seldom will there be a situation that occurs that require the
official to stop play for a penalty.
15
Saskatchewan Hockey Association:
To Lead, Develop and Promote Positive Hockey Experiences
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