I. Primary Player Objectives

I. Primary Player Objectives

Create a fun and educational environment such that improves skating and hockey skills and that achieves 100% return of players into Intermediate Mites. Make the kids want to come back!

Each player should:
Improve their proper stance, starts, and stride
Improve their balance, agility and edge control
Improve the various stopping techniques
Improve their stick handling, puck control, and shooting skills

Each player has to learn:
V-starts and rapid acceleration
Proper “full” extension and “quick” return of the legs
Proper backward skating
Bi-directional stopping leveraging both edges, and minimally a slow plow stop
Proper sweep passing & shooting, forehand and backhand

II. Head and Assistant “Coaching Responsibilities”

Each Coach MUST:
Be prepared for every practice!!!! Heads disseminate plans to assistants in advance of ice time
Assist throughout entire practice
Assist with organizing players and discipline effort
Instruct all players on the ice - NOT only your own child, or your own team!
Identify and instruct players requiring the most guidance, pull aside and provide additional individual instruction when required
Be a Student of the Game! – Continue your education
SAFETY!!!! Ensure proper equipment & protection

III. Notes and “Guiding Principals”

There willonlybe approximately 20 indoor and 5 outdoor sessions of ice. Use them wisely – Maximize Ice! Don’t generate drills that have 5 kids skating and 25 kids watching the drill…..
All practices will be “Combined” Practices (2 teams on ice simultaneously). Head coaches MUST coordinate the practice plan prior to the scheduled ice time, and disseminate the combined plan to the assistants prior to the scheduled time. THERE IS ONLY 1 HEAD COACH PER PRACTICE! All other parent-coaches will assume the role of assistant.
The designated head coach will be out front explaining the drill while ALL assistants help kids understand and ensure the drill is being executed correctly. Remember, acoustics are terrible in arenas! Don’t try to both explain the drill and give an example by yourself – no-one can hear you. Have an assistant or a player do the drill while you explain.
For 10 practices the coaches should come prepared with a comprehensive (1 hour) practice plan with no scrimmages.
For 6-8 practices coaches should utilize a practice plan for both teams consisting of “Skills Stations” designed to accomplish USA Hockey Level A objectives. For these we will be setting up 4 or 5 stations around the ice and rotate the kids between these 6 stations. All groups will rotate CLOCKWISE simultaneously, at approx 8 minute intervals.
For no more than 5 practices use the last 10-15 minutes for cross-ice “Shinny” Hockey. The Blue lines will play other Blue lines, Gold lines vs. Gold lines, and White Lines vs. White Lines.
In addition to the main focus in each week’s practice plan, you should be always filling in each practice plan with the objectives for the Rookie Mites group.

Why are we here?

To Have Fun (this is why kids want to play)
Playing with, and making new friends
Developing: Learning new skills and becoming a better skater and hockey player
Playing again next year (if they enjoy it, they will return)

** Important note: winning games is not a goal at the Mite level.

Practice Guides:

We will be using the USA Hockey Initiation Program Levels “A and B” (each coach needs a copy)

General Format of Practices:

Every weekend in Rookie Mites should be focused around basic skating technique (T-Push, V-Start, Stopping, Edges, Backward skating)

3-5 minutes warm-up & stretch – alternate between Clockwise and Counter Clockwise direction
15 minutes full-ice drills (6 lines – 3 each side of net) or (all kids along boards, side to side)
25 minutes Lesson Plan Material and/or stations (include 1 “fun station”
10 minutes other material designated by head coaches
5 minutes free/fun time at the end of practice

Things to focus on during practices / running drills:

Keep working on the kids to skate faster during certain drills – work on developing quicker feet.
Remind kids that is OK if they fall down when doing a drill – keep reminding them to try hard and skate faster to get them out of their comfort zone and to try to push them to the next level of skating (over-speed).
These practice plans will not always take up the full hour, so work in some of your own drills also while keeping focus the main objectives of the practice.
Always have some type of basic edgework / skating drill for every practice.
Always have some backward skating drills(s) at every practice
At the Rookie Mite level, some drills will be done with a puck but do not forget to emphasize stronger skating!
Use markers (Jumbo, RED) to diagram things for the kids where appropriate – do nto use paint

Various Skating Drills for “Warm-ups”

T-Pushing down the ice with same leg
Work on strides with full leg extension
Forward Big C’s drill (inside edge) full length of ice
Swizzles
Jumping over the blue line
Skating full speed and squatting and gliding between blue lines
Sliding on stomach on each blue line
Dropping down to both knees at each blue line
Completely rolling over on each blue line
Doing a complete 360 circle on each blue line

Various Puck Handling Drills

Stick handling (quick motions) the entire length of the ice
Short and Long stick handling the entire length of the ice
Open Ice Carry
Skating down the ice backwards with the puck
Puck Handling using only their skates the entire length of the ice
Puck handling alternating using your stick and then using your skate to kick the puck up to your stick.
2v0 passing the full length of the ice

Scrimmages - Cross-Ice

All scrimmages are “Controlled” meaning that coaches (no more than 2 per team) are on the ice assisting the kids.
Blue/Gold/White lines split (rotate “bubble” players within each group)
Players rotate between offense and defense regularly
Shift every 2 minutes
4 on 4 with 5th player playing goalie

Mite Madness / Games– Half-Ice starts after adequate skill development (approx. Feb 1, 2006).

All games are “Controlled” meaning that coaches (no more than 2 per team) are on the ice assisting the kids.
5 minute full ice warm-up & stretch (both teams together)
Blue / Gold / White rotation utilized
5 on 5 with 6th player as goalie

Goalies

All players should be encouraged to try goalie and the players should rotate.

Detailed lesson plans are provided for the first two sessions.

1st Session (Dedicated to making the kids, and parents, comfortable)

The head coaches from each team will conduct a 5-10 minute meeting with the parents, reviewing the goals and objectives of the program, identifying the need for a team manager and team representative, and answering any questions that the parents may have regarding the program. Designate 1 of the assistants from either team to begin the practice while the meetings are being conducted. Ensure discussion about proper skate size, sharpening, stick height, mouth-guards, and other equipment. Encourage additional “ice time” at open skating, outdoor rinks, etc. Also explain that you are “marking” sticks for proper height with a marker, and explain to the parents that they should cut the stick at your mark.

10 minutes: Skating counter-clockwise, get the kids to skate, assist those needing additional assistance. Head-up, chest out, shoulders back, knees bent, feet shoulder width apart
5 minutes: Bring all the kids together, on one knee (instruct them how to do this as they have never

done this before) and explain the program objectives to them – having fun!!!

Have all kids line up and “Mark the stick” for proper height. Place sticks in corner.

5 minutes: Review basic stance. (A-6)

Shoulder width apart, toes straight, knees bent, head up, stick on ice

Balancing on 1 leg (A-9)

5 minutes: “Getting up from the ice” (A-8)
10 minutes: Fun Time (A-9) or variation thereof making kids bend down to pick up something working on balance, stance and getting back-up off the ice. Try tennis balls!
20 minutes: Various Cross-ice skating working on balance, getting-up, proper stance, etc. Try Swizzles!
5 minutes: Fun Time, i.e. Pom-Pom keep away (don’t get tagged by the coaches!)

2nd Session (Full Extension, Balance & Turns)

5 minutes:Warm-up and stretching
30 minutes:Review Stance and Balance, getting up from the ice.
Roll-over and stand up to proper stance (A-12)

(6 line drills – teach kids to line up in 6 lines. Go Blue line to Blue line at first)

Introduce Glide (side to side): Skate ½ way across, Glide, skate to end (A-10, A-14)
2 foot glide & 1 foot glide (A-11)
Walk on toes & heels (A-9)
T-Push side to side, full extension (A-10) “T” start, strong push full extension
“Superman Dive”, then with roll-over

5 minutes:Fun time (again focus on bending over, standing up – balance & agility)
15 minutes:Glide Turns: Shoulders and Head initiate turn: lead with “inside” skate, both directions.

Introducing and explaining the “edge” of the skate (all in one group) have them “shave snow with each foot.

5 minutes:Fun Time

3rd and 4th Sessions (Stopping, Turning & Backward Skating)

Review Proper Stance, with Stick (A-8, A-28, A-6)
Review Stance and Balance, getting up from the ice. Roll-over and stand up to proper stance (A-12)
T-Push and proper stride (1 foot at a time, do both feet, full extension, quick return of extended leg) end to end
Introduce stopping (A-15)

Introducing and explaining the “edge” of the skate (all in one group) have them “shave snow with each foot”

One O’ Clock – Eleven O’ Clock Stops: Heels turned out weight on ball of foot, knees bent, back straight, feet shoulder width apart. Start on goal line, stop on blue lines.

Glide Turns 2 feet on ice – inside foot leads, use edges – both directions.
Stations: 4 stations, rotate approx. 8 minutes

- Glide Turns – inside foot leads, use edges – RIGHT Turn

- Glide Turns – inside foot leads, use edges – LEFT Turn

- Balance & Agility – “Scooting the circles” (B-8 & B-11)

- Stopping (forward only)

Obstacle Course: Emphasize starting, stride, balance (stepping over sticks), turning, and stopping
Introduce backward skating: BACKWARD SKATING: Use a 5-step process to teach this!

1.)Have player hold onto boards and C-Cut 1 leg only! (i.e. all players left leg) (A-22)

2.)Have player hold onto boards and C-Cut other leg only!

3.)Have player hold onto boards and Push off and Glide (A-21)

(proper stance with feet straight, knees bent, head-up, open palm in chest)

4.)Have players hold onto boards, push off and glide, and incorporate C-Cuts both feet.

5.)Repeat and re-emphasize! “Transfer balance from side to side”

Another method for teaching backwards skating is “Pigeon Toed Walking”(“Walking” page A-21) This method may assist with capturing the concept of weight balance and transfer and should be leveraged if needed.

5th Session (Skating) Most of this session can be accomplished 6 lines end to end, or side to side half ice. Maximize ice!

Warm-up (CLOCKWISE) Jump the blue lines
T-Push and proper stride (both feet, full extension)
Stopping on Blue lines. Emphasize proper stance! Don’t whistle next line until all kids are in proper stance! Also, teach them to turn “upstream” and T-push to start.
Balance & Agility push & pull partner (A-23)
Backward stance, walking & gliding with partner (A-23)
Stations:
Backward skating Review
Introduce Backward V-Stop (A-23) Do this side to side not full length of ice (heels in, knees bent, begin step, body forward).
Glide turns, Introduce tight (power) turns (both edges on ice)
Inside edges on one skate around cones
Introduce “V” Start followed by “Running” on toes (Partial extension first 5-6 strides)
Fun-Time (5 minutes at end)

6th Session (Skating & Edges)

Warm-up (CLOCKWISE)
“Squat” between blue lines (A-25)
“Ride the Broom” (B-11)
Stopping on Blue lines – FACE THE STANDS. Try Red Light / Green Light as fun time
“Fall on knees” at blue lines, or “Superman” at blue lines, or both: (A-26)
Balance & Agility push & pull partner (A-23)
Re-Introduce Backward Stance (A-23) Backward Skating end to end (1 hand on stick, head up, open-palm in chest, c-cuts)
Glide turns around cones end to end
Introduce Swizzles (emphasize inside edge / outside edge & push/pumping legs)

7th & 8th Sessions (Skating & Puck Handling - Introduction)

Warm-up (Counter - clockwise)
Full Ice Drills – full extension, stopping, drop to knees, superman, backward skating
Re-Introduce “V’ – Start – running on skates to get to speed followed by full extension
Full Extension strides, glide from RED LINE to blue line, end to end – 1 hand on stick “pumping” arms
Introduce “Backward Striding” end to end (A-26) One skate at a time, then the other skate
Backward Skating end to end (1 hand on stick, head up, hand in chest, c-cuts)
Stationary puck handling. (A-28 & A-29) Roll wrists to ‘cup’ puck side to side, middle of blade, head up
Fun Time – Puck Handling Game
Introduce Puck Handling while skating (A-29). Proper grip / peripheral vision!Skate around randomly with puck
Obstacle Course (example A-29) emphasize balance, standing up, forward & backward skating and stopping & puck handling
Fun Time – i.e. Asteroids or Pom-Pom keep-away on Saturday Session

(ex. - kids skate end to end, coaches shoot pucks at blades and kids try to avoid being hit)

15 Minute Shinny on Sunday Session

9th Session (Edges and Puck Handling)

Warm-up
Full Ice Drills
Backward skating
Open-Ice Carry (A-31) (B-39) Player to turn blade to alternate pushes, puck just far enough ahead to control – “pumping arms”
Puck handling (A-36) – Quick dribble’s end to end
Puck handling (A-36) – Stationary and Random Skate “Red Light / Green Light” stopping on whistle. Heads-Up!
Balance & Agility (A-32)
Stations:
Dribbling – Individual and random skate around circle
Figure-8 puck control around gloves
Passing off the boards back to yourself
Pair-up players – passing back and forth
Fun Time

10th Session (Edges, Puck Handling, and Passing)

Warm-up (A-35) Introducing Swizzles (emphasize inside edge / outside edge & push/pumping legs)
Full Ice Drills
Inside edges on one skate around cones end to end – Big C’s

(this is actually a Mite 2 drill, but gets the kids thinking about edgework)

“Edge Control” (B-22)
Glide Turns: Shoulders and Head initiate turn: lead with “inside” skate, both directions.
Puck handling (A-36) – Stationary and Random Skate.
Try tennis balls this time!?
Repeat with Pucks!?
Introduce Sweep pass – forehand and backhand (A-37 & A-39) Propel puck to target, head up, weight transfer back to front, perpendicular to target. Try this in pairs.
Introduce Receiving pass – “T” Stick on ice to receive, blade square to puck, cushion on impact

11th & 12th Sessions (Edges, Puck Handling, and Shooting)

Warm-up
Full Ice Drills
Glides & Swizzles
Backward skating, V-Stop
Open Ice Carry, pumping arms
Fun Time (B-40)
Introduce Sweep shot – forehand and backhand (A-41 & A-43)
Cross-Overs (around gloves on – ice) or (Russian Circles). Both directions.
Obstacle Course or Relay Races for Saturday Session
20 minute Game for Sunday Session. Run 2 games simultaneously, ½ ice blue v blue, etc.

13th Session (Skating & Passing)

Warm-up
Full Ice Drills
Stations:
“Baseball” – Play game of baseball where “hitter” starts at goal, passes to 1st base and starts skating the bases. The skater wants to make it “home” before the infield can pass all the way around. The first baseman passes to second base. The second baseman passes to short-stop. The short-stop passes to third base. The third baseman passes it home. The next batter “hits” to first……… (EMPHASIZE PASSING & CROSS-OVERS at Overspeed)
Backward skating
Passing (Hot Potato): All players line up on circle, passing to others on circle
“Dump” into corner. Coach dumps the puck into the corner. 2 skaters chase after the puck and skate the puck out of the zone. 1st player to get puck becomes defense and breaks out of zone, 2nd player becomes offense and tries to take it away. Coach’s should demonstrate.

Fun Time

14th Session (Skating & Passing)

Warm-up
Full Ice Drills
Swizzles, Backward skating, Open Ice Carry, Puck-Handling, Short Dribble
Passing with a partner, stationary and side to side
Fun Time (B-40)
Cross-Overs – Forward only. Demonstrate and spread kids throughout ice, have them cross over (both directions) around a glove on the ice, or in Russian Circles.
Obstacle Course or Relay Races or Fun Time

15th & 16th Sessions (Speed & Agility)

Warm-up
Full Ice Drills
Full Extension
Superman dives, dives and rolls at blue line
Obstacle Course or Relay Races for Saturday Session
30 minute game for Sunday Session. Run 2 games simultaneously – ½ ice per side Blue/Gold teams

17th Session (Review all lesson plans and Rookie Mites Objectives)