10 Good Tips for YOUTH HOCKEY
1. Practices are more important than games
Skating, standing on the correct leg when shooting and having the right technique at high
speed are prerequisites for being a good hockey player!
2. Practice cross ice
Practicing in small areas develops skills and avoids players standing in lines.
3. Allow youth to train themselves as much as possible
Spontaneous training is important. Encourage street hockey in parking lots and driveways
when ice is unavailable or floor hockey in all variations.
4. Hockey should be fun
Skip tactics and systems, let the youth go after the puck. Everyone wants to handle the
puck no one goes to practice and games to play defensively all the time.
5. Parents support and encourage
Parents should never place pressure on their child. Remember that 1 of 5 youth experience
their parent’s meddling in their sports as negative. Provide transportation, fix equipment,
console, be there yes, by all means!
6. Games are not a matter of life and death
Games should be fun. A change of pace from practice days. Not anything deathly
important. Pour it on offensively – youth are creative and like to try things. Let them play to
success.
7. Don’t play just your best players and no tactical systems
Play without tactics and systems. Let youth use their own creativity and develop under their
own conditions. Let them be where the puck is – for they have come to play the puck!
8. Show respect!
Ice hockey means fair play! Show respect for the rules, referees, opponents and coaches.
Play fair! No game is won from the penalty box.
9. Try all positions
Let everyone try all positions on the team. Don’t lock players into defense, center or forward
already from the beginning. Rotate around in fives – an elite player can play anywhere!
10. Exchange instead of buying!
If one is going to follow the market hysteria it will be expensive to try hockey. Organize
instead within your association an exchange day or rent equipment for a season.
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