2017 2018 TO: GTHL House League Members GTHL Technical Development I.P. Messengers- Facilitators- Administrators Toronto 2017 Introduction Beginning in the 2017 2018 season, players in the Initiation Program (6 and under) must train and play in a cross-ice format. This new requirement is in response to Hockey Canada s current mandate of age appropriate programming, the Long Term Player Development model, and Sport Canada s Long-Term Athlete Development model. The Hockey Canada Initiation Program uses the modified ice-surface to implement development/progression principles, and the rink size expands as players learn the basic skills and concepts of hockey. The goal of the GTHL will be to provide education and support to Minor Hockey Associations, Players, and Families, as they develop their Initiation and age-appropriate Programs. GTHL Offers Intro to IP Presentation: Meaning to Mindset Complimentary (room required) 1 hour Play IP in the G Education & Demo: Transform the Ice Complimentary (room and ice required 1.5 hours in-class and 1.5 hours on-ice required) Coach Level 1 Initiation Program education w/ Demo: Clinic fees apply - Ask us about our subsidies available (room and ice required 1.5 hours in-class and 1.5 hours on-ice required) Puck Drop Jamboree: Fun and Games Complimentary (room and ice required) The GTHL IP Crew or Messenger can be in attendance at one of your events. Development Requirements All Coaches at Novice and below should be Coach Level 1 trained. 57 Carl Hall Road Toronto, ON M3K 2B6 416-636-6845 www.gthlcanada.com Ask us about our offer to subsidize your clinic! Hockey University Making Ethical Decisions ONLINE NCCP Coach 1 Clinic IN-PERSON TRAINED
Equipment Providers & Alternatives: There are numerous companies that build light weight dividers. Generally, Eight (8) dividers, each 12 x 8 x 127.5, 85 in total is what is required. We can put you in direct contact with suppliers if you cannot find one. We also recommend divider alternatives Cones, Hoses, and Pylons Use the 5 circles as skills stations rotating between If you have come up with a creative way to divide the ice, let us know and we can share your innovations with the community Become A Certified IP Centre (Model MHA) Model MHA (Criteria Based Recognition based on Hockey Canada s Model Minor Hockey Association) Receive $1000 towards your program expenses MHA Program Evaluation is something that can only be done in-season GTHL Initiation Program Evaluators trained and assigned MHA s Master Instructor and Master Messenger oversee crews to insure MHA Evaluation and Recommendation are consistent, supportive and fair Contact Jeff Campbell - ip@gthlcanada.com for more information on cross-ice/half-ice hockey, GTHL offers, or on becoming a GTHL Certified IP Centre. Initiation Program (Cross-Ice Format) Summary INITIATION: AGE 4-6 DEVELOPMENT PHASE 12 WEEKS 24 ICE SESSIONS 0 FORMAL GAMES REGULAR SEASON PHASE 14 WEEKS 20 ICE SESSIONS 10 MODIFIED GAMES PLAYOFFS No Playoffs End of Season March 31 TOURNAMENTS 3 Festivals/ Jamborees 12 Modified Games TOTAL PRACTICES: 35-45 TOTAL GAMES: 15-25 CONSIDERATIONS: Blue 4 Oz pucks Cross Ice/ Half Ice-games No full time goalies (no goalie equipment) Multiple station work Jamborees I Festivals - 3 on 3/ 4 on 4 / 5 on 5 cross ice or half ice Ideally 2 Practices per week 5 to 1 Player to Coach Ratio Maximum RECOMMENDATIONS: Small Nets Ball / Floor Hockey/ Floor Ball as additional activities Consistent prime time ice sessions for practices and games (consistent days and times) Develop IP Tool Kit to keep at rink (kit should contain all possible on ice equipment soccer balls, tennis balls. Ringette rings, spray paint etc) The ice surface should be separated into 3 or more development zones during the Development Phase and 3 zones during the Regular Season Phase: 2 Cross-ice game zones (Nets at Boards - Blue line to Goal line), and 1 Development Zone (Blue line to Blue line). Players will rotate between zones. (see Fig. 1)
The entire IP session (pracice and game), can be completed within a 1 hour time slot. 4 Teams can participate at once during the Regular Season phase. (room assignments need to be convened) q w One set of rink dividers ( 8 pieces totaling 85 feet) is required in this format, however the use of two sets of rink dividers is recommended if possible. Scheduling Minor Hockey Associations and leagues are strongly encouraged to schedule cross-ice games back to back whenever possible to allow for easy transition between games. Practices Practices at the Initiation Program level should be on zone divided ice with the primary focus on skill development. No tactical drills will be practiced. The Hockey Canada Network App should be used to developing and delivery of all U8 programming. All the practice plans can be shared with coaches, instructors, volunteers and parents.
Roster Size The Development Zones and Cross-ice game zones provide opportunities to increase ice time. Team rosters should consist of 12-15 skaters however the IP format is applicable to any size team. Roster sizes are not the determining factor. No full time goalies and no goalies equipment required. Equipment We encourage creativity when it comes to dividing the ice and utilizing existing equipment that may be on site. It is recommended that two sets of rink dividers are utilized. Mini-nets are recommended in the both the Development and Cross-ice zones (full-size nets or pylons can be used in the Cross-ice and Development Zones if mini-nets are not available). Blue 4oz pucks must be used and floor hockey balls along with balls from other sports can be used. Ice Surface Layout (Development Phase) The surface should be divided into 3-6 zones using dividers or other alternatives. The total players divided into manageable groups or by team. Each zone should have a coach and an assistant. Coaches and assistants should be responsible for moving the equipment to create the desired development zones. Start Ice Entry Each zone should consist of a section of the ice that extends from the boards to the nearest divider or established point. Dividers and equipment can be moved into the middle of the ice to allow for resurfacing around the boards, and then moved outwards to the boards so the remainder of the ice surface can be flooded. Dividers and equipment can be moved to player bench as well.
Cross-ice Zone (Game) Using the 3 zone layout, 2 games (4 teams) can be played using the goal-line to blue-line end zones. Dividers should be placed on the blue-lines. The middle (blue-line to blue-line) zone can be used for rest and as a development zone. A 2 minute warm up should take place for teams prior to each game while the zones are being set up and teams should warm up in the zone closest to their teams bench or rest area. Games can be played 5-on-5 (skaters) or 4 or 4 (skaters), or another combination, with a blue 4oz pucks. No specific skater positions or goalies. Coaches from both teams should meet briefly before each game to ensure line-ups of approximate equal ability are matched up. Game length should be approximately 20 minute running time periods with 2 minute shift rotations. The game should begin with an equal amount, or match-up (5 on 4), of players on the game-zone ice surfaces with the remaining lines/players in the Development Zone. The end of a shift should consist of the blowing of a whistle and an exchange of players from the Game Zone to the Development Zone. On-ice coaches and assistants will facilitate the process of monitoring the safety and efficiency of the line changes. Implementation strategies should be discussed between the MHA and its coaches before the season begins and during the season. Tournaments/Jamborees/Festivals Initiation Program Festival Hockey Canada s Initiation Program makes children s first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. An IP Festival should be a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game s basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play. The GTHL can assist you in running your Jamboree/Festival. Proposal for On-Ice Activities During Tyke Games v.1 Cross-Ice does not limit which zones are used. e.g. Move the game to between the blue lines. (See Fig.2) An innovative approach, using the benches. It is difficult to adopt a change on-the-fly type of line change Take the players from the game zone (not the goalie) and switch them to their team s All-Star zone. Team #1 will switch to their right, Team #2 switch to their right. It reverses at the end of the period-half-whatever system you run. 1 line will be on the bench prior to entering the ice so they can have a rest, hydrate and be coached. Players enter the ice surface for the warm-up. (See Fig.2) Center Ice area must be kept clean during warm-up (See Fig.2)
Cross-Ice Warm-Up v.1 Legend GTHL INSTRUCTOR or Volunteer WARM-UP - Volunteers+Coaches Players enter ice-surface with Moved For Warm-up Only Option B: Scorers Table GAME ZONE help/supervision. Follow directional diagram or commands from on-ice officials. 2 min. clock-timed warm-up. Barriers moved into place by Volunteers. Follow layout: Fig.3 Fig: 1 ROTATION OF PLAYERS Cross-Ice CENTRE-ICE GAME-TIME v.1 Legend GTHL INSTRUCTOR or Volunteer Line #1 - On the ice: 5 plus Goalie (or 5 on 5 - NO goalie*) Line #2 - On the bench with Coaches Line #3 - In the All-Star Skills Zone See (fig.2) Warm-Up Team #1 OFFICIAL Time/Score Warm-Up Team #2 Fig: 2 At the buzzer sound (2-minute) or whistle the following shift will happen between the benches and the ice: Line #2 takes their shift out of the front gate. Line #3 now is on the bench with coaches. Line #1 after their shift moves to the ALL-Star Skills Zone Players enter the ice surface for the warm up. (See Fig.2) The time on the buzzer for shifts can be determined by the number of players. This example is based on 15 skaters, the number of goalies is irrelevant.
Cross-Ice SKILLS/REST/GAME v.1 COACH Legend GTHL INSTRUCTOR or Volunteer Option B: Scorers Table Fig: 3 PLEASE NOTE: Other ideas for use of ice and division of zones are only limited by imagination and not by lack of equipment. All ideas should include the development of skills, rest and hydration, and the opportunity for coaches to spend time with their players as they get ready to test the skill they just worked on. Cross-Ice SKILLS-2/REST/GAME v.1 Legend GTHL INSTRUCTOR or Volunteer SKILLS ZONE 2 Option B: Scorers Table SKILLS ZONE 1 One of many ideas when you are creative with your space! Officials Referees, Coaches, and instructors are responsible for managing the activities of a game while encouraging skating, positioning and communication. We recommend that an MHA use an HCOP Level 1 Certified Official in the Regular Season Phase for referee development purposes. For more Information please contact; GREATER TORONTO HOCKEY LEAGUE 57 Carl Hall Road Toronto, ON M3K 2B6 416-636-6845