INITIATION PROGRAM U5 (IP 3-4) & U7 (IP 5-6)
“I don’t know why they didn't do it sooner,” Auston Matthews said of the change to the Toronto Sun. “It didn’t make sense to me to have six year olds skating 200 feet down the ice. Smaller-area games, there’s way more action, way more fun. I know it was a lot more fun for me on the small ice. And it creates more offence.”
Cross-Ice Hockey Philosophy:
Mastering the fundamental skills and the fun of playing are essential to the development of a LIFELONG interest in hockey.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
Developing fundamental movement skills (skating, jumping, twisting, turning) manipulations
skills (shooting, puck control) and overall motor skills (agility, balance, coordination) in a fun and
safe sport environment that promotes self-confidence.
• Continue to grow their impression of hockey as a positive one for players and parents
• Play/games exist primarily in a modified form – formalized games introduced throughout
the season
• Some stream of the players – goal is to have players working with players of like skill to
develop confidence and self esteem
WHAT IS AGE APPROPRIATE SKILLS PROGRAMMING?
Designing practice and game play that is appropriate to the age, size and skill level of the
participant.
FUNDAMENTAL HOCKEY SKILLS
• Age-appropriate skills programming
• Introduced through Skills Stations/Small Spaces
FUNDAMENTAL GAME SKILLS
• Age-appropriate modified games
• Introduced through Small Area Games and Cross-Ice
INITIATION PROGRAM U7 (5-6 YEARS OLD) | SEASONAL STRUCTURE
September to October – 6 Week Development
- 12 Practices based on Hockey Canada Curriculum, station based and 85% technical skills with 5:1 Player to Coach ratio.
- 4 Games – Cross Ice
- 0 Tournaments
- Players to rotate through positions and no full time Goalie
November to March – 20 Weeks
- 30 Practices based on Hockey Canada Curriculum, station based and 75% technical skills with 5:1 Player to Coach ratio. Two per week is max totaling 45-50 practices per season.
- 18-26 Games – Cross Ice
- 3 Jamborees after December 1st
- Players to rotate through positions and no full time Goalie
INITIATION PROGRAM U7 (3-4 & 5-6 YEARS OLD) | GAME FORMAT CROSS-ICE
INITIATION PROGRAM U7 (3-4 & 5-6 YEARS OLD) | GAME PLAY GUIDELINES CROSS-ICE
- Games are 4v4 plus Goalie
- Games are 2 x 22 mins halves with a 3 min warm up; 1 to 2 min shifts signaled by buzzer for change
- Blue Puck is used
- 1 or 2 Ref’s
- No Score
- No offside or Icing
- Mandated no more than 30-40 Games over Season including Jamborees (3-4 do not play in Jamborees)