U19 AA Practice Plan

SAMPLE

Date: March 19, 2009 Time: 9:15-10:30am Location: Mickey Mouse Arena (full ice)

Equipment Needed

·  Off Ice: Ladder, hurdles, reaction balls, skipping ropes.

·  On Ice: Rings, cones, whiteboard & markers, first aid kit,playbook (includes diagrams/instructions for all plays and drills), practice folder, whistle. All equipment is in red coaching bag.

Participants: Two on-ice coaches (Minnie and Donald), 10 skaters & 2 goalies (~16-18yrs)

Overview

Goal(s): This is the second last ice time of an intense three-day camp, the first and last time the full team will be together before CRC's. No new skills or drills will be introduced, focus on refinement of team systems and confidence building drills with flow.

The team has been focusing on learning to adapt and implement plays (defensive breakouts, center ice free pass, offensive free pass) and systems (goalie pull for 4-in advantage, using full offensive zone including defensive players). They are refining all skills but are at the creative adaptation stage that players are creating variations on their own.

Note(s): Team divided into dark and light jerseys, make sure players know their jersey colour ahead of time.

Water breaks are not scheduled but provided when the team is given instruction and between drills. Players are responsible keeping themselves adequately hydrated.

This practice plan does not include many diagrams as the playbook contains all diagrams. They are also posted on the team website, which advises the players of what drills and systems to review ahead of time.

The timeline provided is a flexible guideline that adjusted depending on the flow of practice.

Introduction - Off Ice

(>20 minutes) Players warm-up off ice on their own, following a condensed pre-game warmup routine. They are expected to step on the ice previously warmed up.

(2 minutes)Review the goal for the practice; ask if there is anything specific anyone feels they need to work on if extra time permits. Discuss the mental aspect of intensity and pushing each other, encouraging teammates.

Warm-Up(~15-20 minutes)

Purpose is to increase heart rate, dynamic stretching, performed increasing from 70-85%. Coach checks playing surface for safety hazards (bench doors, ice quality, net slush, etc.).

Individual Warm-Up(3-5 minutes)- Players who are on the ice early and before formal practice begins are able to work on shots, passes, etc. on their own. Includes star drill and one-timers.Can also run through pre-game on-ice warm-up.

Game(3 minutes)- Frenamies: Players are partnered up with one partner with the ring. They start off passing the ring back and forth and skating around. When the whistle goes the person with the ring has to get away, the person without the ring checks. When the whistle goes again they go back to passing. They must stay between the blue lines.

Cardio(4 minutes)– Full Ice Philly w D: Full ice Philly drill, progresses to the adaptation of a defending player (defense at center ice).

1. Drill: Snakebite (3-5 minutes)

Purpose:A good goalie drill as it requires both goalies to get a significant amount of shots, uses full ice, and creates flow with timing. Players go three at a time, taking shots on first goalie. The first two players then pick up ring at blue line and skate to other end and shoot. Third player times to pick up a pass from first player at goal side, and shoots.

Key Points: Timing and rhythm, high quality shots.

Teaching Cues: Provide delayed feedback specific to timing, good opportunity for feedback on individual skill detection and correction.

2. Drill: Goaltender Warm-Up with Decision Training (3-5 minutes)

Purpose:Players alternate out of the corners and are told a word that represents one of the rings 1 2 or 3. They pick the ring and as soon as they shoot they turn around and play defense against the person coming behind. Goaltenders alternate. Coach DT can include shot option from coach behind net.

Key Points: Quick reaction, high quality shot, defensive positioning.

Teaching Cues: Coach communication is key to the decision-training component, coach in different positions allows players to use different attention skills.

3. Drill:One-on-One Full-Ice Passing Drill (5 minutes)

Purpose: Players create intensity via 1-on-1, getting passes from coaches in centre ice.

Key Points: Creating open ice rather than going to open ice, non-verbal communication skills.

Teaching Cues: At least three passes have to be successful in each half of the ice.

Main Part(40 minutes)

1. Drill:5-on-0 / 3-on-2 with Breakouts (10 minutes)

Purpose: Drill involves players breaking out from one end to the other as a full line, taking shot on goal, then breaking back offensive players (3) vs. defensive players (2). The line not involved in the play is reviewing the next breakout system to be implemented. Two breakout systems emphasized.

Key Points: Implementing with understanding that there is no opposition for breakout.

Teaching Cues: Each coach stays with a line for the review and the implementation, to provide specific feedback. Alternate groups so that both coaches can watch both groups.

2. Play: Center Ice Free Pass, Option 2 (Forward Pick) (10 minutes)

Purpose:This play is used to gain advantage into the zone using a pick set by the forward on the defending forward on the blue line.

Key Points:Timing of the pick, anticipate play, options.

Teaching Cues:Remind athletes of support roles, and if the pick doesn’t work or is not effective to analyze use alternative passing lane.

3. Play:Offensive Free Pass w Contest (15 minutes)

Purpose:In lines players review offensive free passes used. Contest goal is to gain advantage over opposite line in set number of offensive free pass plays.

Key Points:Deception, communication.

Teaching Cues:Allow athletes control over what plays they do, creating ownership over the drills and increasing retention.

4. Drill: Four on Three (5 minutes)

Purpose:Continue to work on 4-on-3 when goalie pulled.

Key Points:Emphasis on communication (verbal and non-verbal), movement, use of picks/screens, etc.

Teaching Cues:Players not involved provide analysis with coaches of play going on.

5. Drill: Four Corners Drill with a Chaser(5 minutes)

Purpose:Players enjoy this drill a lot and always request, so it is a good one to end with for a positive mental conclusion to the structured practice. Includes different shots (1-timers and breakaway), different length passes, and skating. Maximum number of players involved and moving.Intensity is created by the chaser.

Key Points:First quick shots should be accurate (head up) - don't just fire at the net, quick and hard passes.

Teaching Cues:Emphasis on competition, pushing each other, MT aspect.

Cool-Down(10 minutes)

Purpose is to decrease heart rate, static stretching, performed decreasing from 70-50%.

Scrimmage (10+ minutes) – Athletes in teams, focus on communication and knowing what plays/systems each line will run. Breaks provided for water and discussion of what is working and what needs improvement or focus. Attention to goalie pulls, capitalizing on 4-in offensive zone and high forward for defending team.

Free Skate (2-3 minutes)– Athletes skating and stretching on their own.

Conclusion - Off Ice

Review goal of practice and plan for next session (in one hour). Discuss what the players feel we have left to focus on to maximize the last ice time. Review who is wearing what jersey colour for next ice time.

Remind players about nutrition and rehydration during break, along with proper cool-down and warm-up again. Slideshow from scavenger hunt first day to be played during break.

Players do off-ice cool down on their own.