INITIATION 6 & Under (Peterborough Hockey Association)

PrintINITIATION 6 & Under

INITIATION PROGRAM U5 (IP 3-4) & U7 (IP 5-6)


Long Term People Development


“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


  1.  Games are 4v4 plus Goalie
  2.  Games are 2 x 22 mins halves with a 3 min warm up; 1 to 2 min shifts signaled by buzzer for change
  3.  Blue Puck is used
  4. 1 or 2 Ref’s
  5. No Score
  6. No offside or Icing
  7. Mandated no more than 30-40 Games over Season including Jamborees (3-4 do not play in Jamborees)