Coach 8 & Under (Mites)

Coach 8 & Under (Mites) At the 8-and-Under level, coaches should focus on teaching age-appropriate concepts and skills so that children have an enjoyable hockey experience while also developing as players and young people. FOCUS POINTS Fun! Engagement Active Practices Age-Appropriate Training (includes skills and concepts)! FUN!8-and-Under coaches should never underestimate the value!of having fun. While this is true at all ages, it is especially true!at this age, where the hockey-for-life seed is planted. If it s not consistently fun at this age, the novelty of the sport will wear off and the young player(s) may eventually quit. Players at this age should have fun every time they are on the ice.! ENGAGEMENT!Coaches should recognize the importance of engagement. It goes hand-in-hand with fun, but it s more than just fun. It s targeting the optimal skill level for each player not too easy and not too hard. It s designing small games that do the teaching. The players don t need a coach to provide the feedback. The games themselves give players the opportunity to successfully demonstrate targeted skills and concepts. The coach becomes the facilitator less talking from the coach and more learning by doing. 8-and-Und ACTIVE PRACTICES Practices at this age level should include a high amount of activity and a low amount of rest. Players should not spend large amounts!of time standing in line, waiting to participate in drills or games. Coaches should strive to design practices in which players are!active for the majority of the practice. Coaches should set goals related to the amount of activity they expect each player to achieve in a practice (e.g., each player will be active for 40 minutes in a 60-minute practice). While the activity level is not the only crucial component on which coaches

should focus, it definitely is important in the long-term development process, as coaches must remember that players learn by doing (more than by watching or listening). Designing practices with high activity levels and opportunities for many repetitions is very important at this age. Refer to the Player Activity Chart found on the free Mobile Coach App and at admkids.com under Coaches/Repetition for a form to evaluate the developmental opportunities that occur for players in practice and in games. STATION-BASED PRACTICES Station-based practices are an excellent way to accomplish these high-activity goals. Coaches are encouraged to split the ice into 4-6 areas with an ageappropriate skill, drill, or game to be practiced!in each of area. A typical stationbased practice would include six stations with 6-10 players at each station. While coaches have some flexibility when it comes to the duration of time that players spend at each station, 6-8 minutes is a good guideline for players at the mite level. Coaches should restrict the instructional part to less than a minute for each station. Players should practice the desired skill at each station, with coaches making sure that each player is active the majority of the time, thus receiving a high number of repetitions. Coaches may have to be creative to ensure that all players spend more time practicing the desired skill rather than waiting in line to participate. Coaches are encouraged to use a stopwatch to determine the amount of time a player is active and count the repetitions performed by an individual player at each station. USA Hockey has a large number of these station-based practice lesson plans available on the free Mobile Coach App and at admkids.com. AGE-APPROPRIATE TRAINING 8-and-Under coaches must determine what skills and concepts are appropriate for the kids in their program to learn and understand. Most would not expect a second-grader to be taught sixth-grade math. The same should hold true for the!skills and concepts related to mite hockey. First, coaches must determine whether the players are ready to learn the desired skill or understand the desired concept. Second, they should decide whether the skill or concept is truly important for an 8-year-old. Teaching players the right thing at the right age is crucial in their development. Cross-ice hockey, or hockey on a smaller surface (half-ice), is!an important part of age-appropriate training for mites. Using!a smaller surface in mite hockey games 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.

FOCUS POINTS PRACTICE PLANS Prepare practice plan at least 1 hour before practice Review plan with all coaches & email plan to coaches if time permits Review plan with players 10 minutes before practice. Make sure all players are fully focused and dressed with helmets on o This is the time to establish the coach s authority for the practice session, noting that the players will likely forget the plan once they hit the ice Spend as little time as possible drawing drills on a coaching board on the ice Review practices after the ice session is over. Make sure all players are fully focused and dressed with helmets off Discuss practice with coaches and make changes as necessary for next practice FOCUS POINTS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT Practice Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) like running, swimming or jumping. Also introduce the ABC s of athleticism: o ABC s - Agility, Balance & Coordination and Speed. Focus on flexibility during this stage. This is the first window for speed training with an emphasis on agility, quickness and change of direction. Less than 5 seconds in duration. Once a week, prior to or after practice, spend 30 minutes off-ice working on the Fundamental Movement Skills and the ABC s. This can be done through games and challenging activities. Keep it fun! Play multiple sports and engage in activities like soccer, running, gymnastics, swimming, skiing or other activities 75% of the time and play hockey the other 25%. Group players into top 1/3, middle 1/3, beginner 1/3. 30 60 players each practice session

o o o o 2-3 ice touches per week 50 min ice sessions 5 month s = 20 weeks per season maximum 50 to 60 ice touches per season Minimum 16 cross ice/half-ice games & 34 practices Maximum 20 cross ice/half-ice games & 40 practices 9 to 13 players/team; no fulltime goalies PRACTICE FOCUS Practices should focus on (percentage of time listed after each): 1. Individual skill improvement (hockey skills, activities, and!games) 85% 2. Hockey sense (teaching of concepts through small area!games) 15% 3. Systems (team-play training) 0% SMALL AREA GAMES Coaches should utilize small area games on a consistent basis!in every practice for fun, practicing skills and teaching basic concepts. These games should be included in station-based practices and there should be a variety of games for mite players. The number of players, rules of the game, and size of the game area should be varied with each game. Coaches might also opt to use blue (light-weight) pucks, balls or ringette rings to change the dynamic of the game. Refer to the Small Area Competitive Games Handbook and CD for age-appropriate small area games. 8-and-Under OPTIMAL WINDOWS OF TRAINABILITY In order for players to maximize their ability and reach their potential, it s important for youth coaches to do the right thing!with young athletes at the right time. Focusing on these key components at the appropriate age will give the young athletes the best opportunity to achieve their potential as they progress through

their teenage years. Researchers have concluded that players in this age classification should spend time developing the following capabilities related to their long-term development: 1. Speed constant stopping, starting, changing direction, and puck races in small areas 2. Suppleness (Flexibility) perform a variety of activities and exercises through a full range of motion PLAYER KNOWLEDGE Mite players are not at a cognitive level where they should be lectured on the following topics; however, throughout the course of playing mite hockey, they should learn: 1. Puck Pursuit Players should be taught to pursue the puck aggressively and engage in battles to gain possession of the puck. 2. Puck Support Players should learn to make themselves available to receive a pass from a teammate. This is the beginning of the idea of getting open. 3. Acceptable On-Ice Conduct Acceptable conduct should be taught and reinforced. Unsportsmanlike conduct is the broad term covering this topic, but acceptable conduct should relate to teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, etc. This is the beginning of teaching players to be good sports and to respect everyone involved with the game. 4. Allowable Contact with Opponents Players should!learn what types of physical contact are allowed with an opponent. Players should learn the importance of having their stick on the ice in puck battles, so that good body- contact habits are established early. The players should also begin to learn the types of physical contact that are not allowed, such as body checking, checking from behind, slashing, tripping, etc. While these young players are not!at an age where they should be lectured as to the types of illegal contact, they should be made aware when they have made contact in a way that violates the rules. INDIVIDUAL HOCKEY SKILLS Players must learn and master:

1. Skating a. ready position b. edge control c. forward start d. forward stride e. controlled stop: two-foot and one-foot snowplow f. controlled turn g. forward crossover h. backward skating i. backward stop j. ABCs of skating (agility, balance, coordination, and!speed drills) 2. Puck Control a. lateral (side-to-side) stickhandling b. front-to-back stickhandling c. diagonal stickhandling d. attacking the triangle 3. Passing and Receiving a. forehand pass b. backhand pass c. receiving a pass properly with the stick 4. Shooting a. wrist shot b. backhand

5. Body Contact a. stick on puck b. stick lift 6. Goaltending! At this level, coaches should not designate full-time goaltenders so that players may begin the development of skills that will help improve their long-term skating and athleticism. These are crucial for goaltenders as they progress to higher age levels. TEAM CONCEPTS While the teaching curriculum recommends that no time be spent on teaching systems related to team-play in mite hockey, players should begin learning important skills and basic concepts that will be important when they get to an age where systems and team-play takes on added importance. Players should learn and understand: 1. Puck Pursuit Players should pursue the puck aggressively and engage in battles to gain possession of the puck. 2. Puck Support Players should learn to make themselves available for a pass whether they are close to the puck or further away. This is the beginning of near- and far-support concepts, as well as creating and finding passing lanes. NUTRITION Players should be introduced to: 1. Proper Hydration Players should learn the importance!of proper hydration before, during, and after all games and!practices. 2. Good Eating Habits Players should be encouraged to eat!good meals and refrain from eating candy and other foods!that lack nutritional value. 3. Recovery Drink While there are many recovery drinks!on the market, players should be encouraged to drink chocolate milk following any practice or game session.

OFF-ICE ACTIVITIES Players should perform exercises and play games that improve their agility, balance, coordination and speed (ABCs). For off-ice activities and exercises, coaches should utilize the 6-and-Under/8-and-Under Off-Ice Training Cards that are available through USA Hockey and are on the Mobile Coach App. Exercises and activities should include: 1. Stretching/flexibility exercises 2. Fun games 3. Relays 4. Eye-hand coordination exercises 5. Exercises related to improving the ABCs PLAYER SAFETY Players should be in practice and game environments where their health and wellbeing is a priority. Expectations related to safe practices and acceptable on-ice conduct should be taught and reinforced with the young players. HOCKEY ENVIRONMENT Players should be in an environment where: the practices and games are fun. Young players should!enjoy each session and they should want to return for!the next one. making mistakes is okay. Mistakes are common and a!part of sports. Maintaining the confidence to attempt new skills or moves is important to developing those skills, as is continuing to work on correcting mistakes.! CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE SKILLS! Players must learn: they are part of a team and are expected to follow team!rules. to have respect for their teammates, coaches,!opponents, officials, and parents.

to always try their best. the foundation of a strong work ethic by consistently!participating in practices with a high level of activity.! PARENT DEVELOPMENT! Refer to An American Hockey Parent Handbook found on the USA Hockey website.

Basic Structure for 8U Mite Practices The 8U Mite group consists of players ranging in age from 6 to 8 years old. This assumes that the players have first followed USA Hockey recommendations and taken a basic learn to skate and learn to play program. These two foundational programs will provide the rudimentary skills needed to for the 8U program. In the case of some smaller youth association it may be necessary to group the 6U or even the 10U players into practice sessions. This can still be done efficiently with proper planning and be very beneficial to all involved. Skating is a primary skill for ice hockey and although players must continue to master skating technique throughout their career, there must be a special emphasis place on the ABC elements of skating in the early years of development. Players at the Mite age have a harder time processing technical skills instruction and their bodies lack some of the fine motor control required. At this age large muscle groups and multiple joint movements should be incorporated into the practice sessions. Agility, balance and coordination (A, B, C s) on the ice surface are at the foundation of LTAD for Mites. Practices have a preparatory phase followed by the main body of the practice. The main body of the practice session includes station work so that kids are developing their skills in an efficient manner. The recommended breakdown is with six stations so that there is enough variety to hold the interest of players at this age. Training should be structured so that a large part of the skill repetition is done in a games format. Players at all levels must be mentally engaged in order best acquire new skills. When skills repetition lacks an emotional element, children at this age quickly become bored. If the skills repetition is hidden in the form of a game, children are capable of extended periods of focused effort. Play is the key to emotional engagement in the skills repetition. The six station format should include the following breakdown: 1 station is of ABC s 1 station of hockey competition, 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4 1 station is on puck control skills 1 station is of passing/shooting skills 2 stations are devoted to specifically skating skills Out of these six stations, two to three at least should be in a games format. Coaches also need to be mindful of the costs associated with quality ice time for the players and must always strive to maximize the learning environment. Keep explanation, demonstration and setup time to a minimum. The goal is to have the players actively participating in a drill within one minute of station rotation. This is not easy to do so preparation is a key. If you can divide setup and explanation time between multiple coaches, two jobs will get done in half the time. The basic 8U Mite practice structure is for a 50 minute hour block of ice as this is common across the country (50 minutes of ice with the cost of a 10 minute ice cut included). If your local associating gets the full 60 minutes out of their hour block of ice the practice sessions are easily modified by adding one additional minute to each station and four minutes to the game activity at the conclusion of practice.

It is a good practice to repeat one of the prescribed ice sessions twice in a row. Kids at this age like familiarity with the drills, the repetition is good and it helps the overall efficiency of the session. It is easier for the coaches the second time through. At the 8U Mite age group, USA Hockey doesn t recommend full time goalies. Every player at this age needs to build a foundation of agility, balance and coordination on the ice surface. We recommend that teams rotate every player through the goaltender position to help kids discover if that position is truly for them. Goaltending requires a high degree of athleticism to be successful. If an 8U player has demonstrated a good on-ice foundation in the ABC s and skating skills and has a passion for the position, it is acceptable to allow that player to play more regular in net. During the practice sessions the goalies should only play goal when they rotate to a station that has a net. Goalies should continue to rotate with their team as the group advances through the stations. The goalies should continue to skate and be active in every drill. When no goalie is present for a station, the coaches can tip the net over to provide a low to mid range target for the player to shot at or small nets can be used if available.

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #1 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play X Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout Relay Races Passing 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Backward skate on side boards Put into skills groups 5 mins. 2. Four Lines - Ready position, two foot glide, second one foot glide 5 mins. 3. Two Lines - Inside edges on circles 5 mins. 4. Three Lines - three cone triangle, inside edges - race 5 mins. 5. Three Lines - Big C half circles, alternate edges 5 mins. 6. Three Lines - Stationary shift weight two foot glide 5 mins. 7. Three Lines - Push, touch, coast, push, touch, no coast Good form push, almost touch 5 mins. 8. Three Lines - Puck control, one hand push, accelerating 5 mins. 9. Four Lines - 1 on 1 puck race 5 mins. 10. Tag game - pom-pom pull away Have fun 62 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #2 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play X Tag Games X Puck Control Skill Races Breakout Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Four Lines - review big C, push-touch, push-almost touch Good strides 5 mins. 2. Three Lines - four cone rhythm skate, inside edges 5 mins. 3. Four Lines - acceleration strides between two cones 5 mins. 4. Two groups - stationary crossovers, crossovers on circle - knee up, foot over 5 mins. 5. One Line - two cones, forward crossovers - no gliding 5 mins. 6. Three Lines - Review, puck control - one hand acceleration 5 mins. 7. Three Lines - Stationary stickhandling: split vision dribble, short and wide 5 mins. 8. Spread - puck control - jam the zone 5 mins. 9. Pair Up - competitive 1 on 1 war 5 mins. 10. On Line - tag game - Army-Navy 64 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #3 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Three Lines - Review Big C, four cone rhythm skate - Push stick on ice - shift weight 5 mins. 2. One Line - M 3 cone, forward crossovers - no glide Buttocks low 5 mins. 3. Spread - backwards skate - stationary, move hands on Quick recovery hips 5 mins. 4. Four Lines - backward strokes - push, extend, recover, etc. 5 mins. 5. Group - control turns - stationary, C.T. on one and three cones 5 mins. 6. Four Lines - stationary - side to side on inside edge, stop on whistle 5 mins. 7. Groups - review - 1 on 1 puck race, stationary stickhandling jam 5 mins. 8. Group - pulls on four cones - one way and two directions 5 mins. 9. 1 on 1 all over the ice 5 mins. 10. 3 on 3 across ice with three pucks 66 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #4 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control Skill Races Breakout Relay Races X Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Two Lines - six cones - inside edge, forward crossovers 5 mins. 2. Three Lines - 10 and two o clock start - live accelerations - race 5 mins. 3. Three Lines - backward three pumps 5 mins. 4. Four Lines - two sets - four cones, pulls two direction on cones 5 mins. 5. Two Lines - four cones - zig-zag pulls on cones 5 mins. 6. Two Lines - stationary pull and pass against boards, look, slide, glide, point 5 mins. 7. Partner - pass and receive stationary - three feet apart - Good passes cup and give 5 mins. 8. Two Lines - race competition - 1 on 1 around cone - puck chase 10 mins. 9. Modified Game - 3 on 3 (half ice), spread fire hose on Fun red line 68 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #5 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races X Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes X 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Time Skill - one line forward crossovers on circle, control turns on dots 5 mins. 2. Skill Race - two lines - circle crossovers, control - race to puck 5 mins. 3. Skill Race - two lines forward to cone, backward to line, step out, race to puck 5 mins. 4. Skill - two lines with pucks - over second back, two directions 5 mins. 5. Skill Race - three lines with pucks - three player jam circles, control turn, race on dots 5 mins. 6. 1 on 1 - four lines with pucks - fake and pull on stationary player 5 mins. 7. Relay Race - two or three lines - pass and go relay race 5 mins. 8. Keep Away - groups on circles - play keep away pass with player 10 mins. 9. 3 on 3 width of rink - 45 second shifts - change on fly - play puck where it lies 70 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #6 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games Puck Control Skill Races Breakout Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage X Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle X 4 on 4 scrimmage X Checking X Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage X Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Timed Skills - A. forward/backward acceleration; B. crossovers, control turn, shoot 5 mins. 2. Timed Skills - A. backward, step-out forward, shoot; B. forward puck acceleration 5 mins. 3. 1 on 1 - puck chase - out and back into the zone 5 mins. 4. 1 on 1 - angle - stick under, stick lift 10 mins. 5. Two Directions - movement wrist/sweep shot against boards 5 mins. 6. 1 on 1 - crossovers around cones to puck chase and shoot 5 mins. 7. 1 on 1 - D-F - pick up puck in neutral zone 10 mins. 8. 4 on 4 - half ice, 45 second shifts, change on fly - play puck where it lies 72 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #7 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races Passing 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage X Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Three Lines - three cone triangle - inside edges - relay race - up and back 5 mins. 2. Three to four Lines - forward acceleration race to blue line 5 mins. 3. Three to four Lines - agility - alternate knee touch - relay race, alternate knee top of circle - touch blue line 5 mins. 4. Three Lines - agility - double knee drop, seat drop, log roll, relay race, up and back 5 mins. 5. Two Lines - one cone - inside edge - race to puck and shoot 5 mins. 6. Four Lines - agility - step over sticks - slide under cones - no sticks - up and back 5 mins. 7. Four Lines - stationary stick handling - short and wide - split vision - count coaches fingers 5 mins. 8. Four Lines - forward movement - dribbling - count coaches fingers - split vision 10 mins. 9. Group - keep away with pucks - two players without puck, try and take away 74 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #8 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play X Tag Games X Puck Control Skill Races Breakout Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Four Lines - review Big C, push-touch, push-almost touch 5 mins. 2. Three Lines - four cone rhythm skate, inside edges 5 mins. 3. Four Lines - acceleration strides between two cones Quick recovery 5 mins. 4. Two Groups - stationary crossovers, crossovers on circle - knee up, foot over 5 mins. 5. One Line two cone, forward crossovers - no gliding 5 mins. 6. Three Lines - review - puck control - one hand acceleration 5 mins. 7. Three Lines - stationary stickhandling, split vision, dribble short and wide 5 mins. 8. Spread - puck control jam the zone 5 mins. 9. Pair Up - competitive 1 on 1 war 5 mins. 10. One Line - tag game - Army-Navy 76 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #9 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes X 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage X Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 2 mins. 1. Three Lines - four cones inside edge zig-zag - relay race - up and back 2 mins. 2. Three to four Lines - push puck acceleration - relay race - up and back 2 mins. 3. Three Lines - zig-zag cones with puck - relay race - up and back 3 mins. 4. Two Lines - figure 8 circle crossovers - race to puck and shoot 2 mins. 5. Two Lines - circle crossovers - three cone triangle, inside edge - race to puck and shoot 5 mins. 6. Two Groups - 1 on 1 puck chase - net turn backwards - stay out until one player scores 5 mins. 7. Three Groups - circle crossovers - musical pucks - four pucks - five players - on whistle dive in and get puck 10 mins. 8. Five to six Groups - three player chariot race - two players pull with sticks - one player on knees - change places and return - must do three times 10 mins. 9. Group Nine - tennis ball dodge ball - 20 tennis balls - hit other team s players 78 Practice Plans

Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #9 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes X 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage X Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 2 mins. 1. Three Lines - four cones inside edge zig-zag - relay race - up and back 2 mins. 2. Three to four Lines - push puck acceleration - relay race - up and back 2 mins. 3. Three Lines - zig-zag cones with puck - relay race - up and back 3 mins. 4. Two Lines - figure 8 circle crossovers - race to puck and shoot 2 mins. 5. Two Lines - circle crossovers - three cone triangle, inside edge - race to puck and shoot 5 mins. 6. Two Groups - 1 on 1 puck chase - net turn backwards - stay out until one player scores 5 mins. 7. Three Groups - circle crossovers - musical pucks - four pucks - five players - on whistle dive in and get puck 10 mins. 8. Five to six Groups - three player chariot race - two players pull with sticks - one player on knees - change places and return - must do three times 10 mins. 9. Group Nine - tennis ball dodge ball - 20 tennis balls - hit other team s players 78 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #10 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play X Tag Games X Puck Control X Skill Races Breakout X Relay Races Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes X 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage X Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Four Lines - backward and forward - relay race 5 mins. 2. Two Lines - into zone crossovers - race to puck and shoot 5 mins. 3. Two Lines - circle crossovers - two cone control turns - race to puck and shoot 5 mins. 4. Two Lines - circle crossovers with puck - three cone control turns - accelerate and shoot between cones 5 mins. 5. Three Lines - three against coach - inside circle to control turns on dots 5 mins. 6. Partners - 1 on 1 war in confined area - 20 seconds 10 mins. 7. Two Lines - 1 on 1 width of rink - three groups out at a time - stay put until one player scores 5 mins. 8. Group - pom-pom pull away rocket launcher - IT players on knees (can t move) 10 mins. 9. Four Lines - sliding contest - who can slide on stomach the farthest 80 Practice Plans

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Hockey Practice Plan Objectives: To learn, practice and reinforce skills Date: Practice: #11 Level: 8-and-Under (Mite) Skill Work Competitive Team Systems (Optional) Fun/Modified Scrimmages X Skating Drills Positional Play Tag Games X Puck Control Skill Races Breakout Relay Races X Passing X 1 on 1 Lanes 3 on 3 scrimmage Shooting 2 on 2 Off. Triangle 4 on 4 scrimmage Checking Time Skills 5 on 5 scrimmage Agility Miscellaneous Time Drill Emphasis 5 mins. 1. Two Lines - six cones - inside edge, forward crossovers 5 mins. 2. Three Lines - 10 and two o clock start - line accelerations - race 5 mins. 3. Three Lines - backward three pumps 5 mins. 4. Four Lines - two sets - four cones, pulls two directions on cones 5 mins. 5. Two Lines - four cones - zig-zag pulls on cones 5 mins. 6. Two Lines - stationary pull and pass against boards - look, slide, guide point 5 mins. 7. Partners - pass and receive stationary - three feet apart - cup and give 5 mins. 8. Two Lines - race/competition - 1 on 1 around cone - puck chase 10 mins. 9. Modified game - 3 on 3 - half ice, spread fire hose on red line 82 Practice Plans

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