Should Mites pass?

[O-townClown]

For sake of discussion, I'll assume 1st and 2nd graders.

This is from a very detailed coaching handbook for soccer. I'm sure it applies to hockey as well.

CONSIDER THIS: At the younger ages (6 to about 10), soccer is not a team sport. On the contrary, it is a time for children to develop their individual relationship with the ball. The fact that younger children are placed in team environments is not their fault. Do not demand that the more confident players share the ball. Encourage them to be creative and go to goal. Do the same with the rest of your players.

It goes on to say

Coaches should not be telling their young players to "pass rather than dribble"

It is easier to carry a puck than it is to dribble a soccer ball, but certainly this concept should apply at 6 years old. I'm always amazed at how many parents want kids - usually not their own! - to pass in Mites. Until players without the puck can get open and are able to receive passes consistently it is better for a strong player to skate with it.

Things change a lot from 6 to 8, so maybe by the end of Mites it is realistic to expect passing. (Remember, Minnesota's Mites are 6 months older than other Mites.)

I clearly remember not passing much when I was a Mite. Making and receiving passes was a skill we worked on in Squirts.

[muckandgrind]

It's my opinion that Mites shouldn't be playing many games, anyways. They should be focusing on developing skills such skating and stick handling. If a coach wants to introduce some simple passing drills in their practices, I think that's OK.

[tomASS]

Absolutely Agree.

Teaching passing does not develop the individual skill of dribbling and cutting at this age. Let them learn that skill and learn it well before you worry about passing.

Individual Confidence on the ball is extremely important when you get older and it is harder to teach when they are older.

Decision making between passing and dribbling is a balance you learn later.

That is why small sided games of 4v4 at this age are so important. It let's the players work within their age's mental and ability level without overwhelming them.

[Can't Never Tried]

However if one should show exceptional skill passing the Vikings could use him

I think your right mites is a time for skill development through creative game play.
I'm sure some will argue.

[spin-o-rama]

Even worse is the advice to kick the ball out of bounds or clear the puck out of the zone. Encourage the kids to try to make a play.

[O-townClown]

Even worse is the advice to kick the ball out of bounds or clear the puck out of the zone. Encourage the kids to try to make a play.

I don't have studies to back me, but I'm okay with teaching kids to fire the puck out past the blue at this age. They probably aren't strong enough to ice until 8 and it helps them understand the concept of zones. You don't give up goals when you are in their zone or at center ice unless the last one back turns it over.

[spin-o-rama]

Cross ice games (ideal for 1st and 2nd grade) don't have offsides or zones. If a pass to a intended receiver is not to be taught then wouldn't a clearing attempt (pass to no one) be more taboo? Who cares if you lose the puck and get scored on. Fish it out of the net and start again. (Hopefully we're not wasting time lining up for faceoffs.

[Dazed&Confused]

They should learn to skate. Skating is key.

[elliott70]

Sounds like we are all onthe same page here.

I addressed a youth hockey group a couple of nights ago that was concerned about the squirt level. sopome wanted all travel squirts, some were for in-house with a minimum of travel squirt games.

My question of them is what is your goal.
The obvious, skill development, like skilled players working together for a year, have fun....

So I told them my philosophy,
skate, skate with a stick, skate with puck on the stick, skate and shoot the puck.
1. Learn to skate well.
2. Learn to skate with the puck.
3. Learn to skate and shoot the puck.
Once these skills are mastered to a B level player (this requires some type of definition and measuring stick and applied to the local level).
You have your B team.
If they are A level then you have an A team.
The number of teams at each level is determined by the number of A, B level kids you get through your pre-determined measuring stick.
To make it FUN, you have in-house games periodically.

To stay on track, you go back to 1,2,3 at given intervals.
At the A level you work on passing, at the B level you introduce it but stay on track with 1, 2, & 3.

And if we did not have restrictive registration deadlines, kids could move up during the season or the whole team could move up to A level.

[O-townClown]

However if one should show exceptional skill passing the Vikings could use him

Oh ye of little faith. Gus will do just fine.

[tomASS]

Even worse is the advice to kick the ball out of bounds or clear the puck out of the zone. Encourage the kids to try to make a play.

100% in agreement. At this age, "when in doubt get it out" serves no purpose

[keepyourheadup]

Until any youth player, whatever level, learns to get his head up while handling the puck the concept of passing is useless. The trouble is identifing when a child is ready to make this jump. IMHO as soon as they are ready they should be encouraged to develop this skill. How many fantastically talented kids have we all seen who seem to lack this one skill. I watch kids everyday that can skate like the wind, shoot through a brick wall and stickhandle around 2 guys in a phone booth, but ask them to make a one touch pass or feather a puck in to open ice and they're hopeless. Bottom line is..if they CAN, they should.

[DuckDuckQuackQuack]

I'm proud to say my association taught the mini-mites to dive through hoola-hoops.

[Lowstickside]

My kid started Mites as a 5 year old "C" and had the greatest season ever. We played 25 games and were undefeated with just 10 kids who never missed a game and have been referred to as the the "Iron 10" by the dads ever since. Wiffed on a slapper sometime in December and scored his first goal! Has not looked back since. I remember quite a few nice passes, and we encouraged the kids to pass all the time!

I wish for a fun season for all of the Mite players!

[miss my toe kick]

At the beginning of my sons first season (mini-mites) the coaches held the belief that mini-mites was all about learning to skate. No games, just learning the basics. The first few weeks went ok but then in the words of a wise young 6-year-old, practice "sucked."

The coaches eased up a bit and allowed for 10 minutes of 3-on-3 time at the end of each practice. The change in attendance was noticeable. The kids were having fun AND learning to skate.

I'm quite confident some of those kids wouldn't have returned for a second year if those practices had continued the way they started.

Ideally, kids would be out playing "games" at the park after school. Realistically, practice is the only ice time for some kids.

[OGEE OGELTHORPE]

My kid started Mites as a 5 year old "C" and had the greatest season ever. We played 25 games and were undefeated with just 10 kids who never missed a game and have been referred to as the the "Iron 10" by the dads ever since. Wiffed on a slapper sometime in December and scored his first goal! Has not looked back since. I remember quite a few nice passes, and we encouraged the kids to pass all the time!

I wish for a fun season for all of the Mite players!

"Iron 10" Great story. They should make a movie.

[JoeBoy]

I'm proud to say my association taught the mini-mites to dive through hoola-hoops.

Did they enjoy it ? Ive caught myself asking why they are doing somethings before realizing who cares the kids like it. Haven't you ever thought something was silly yet kids found it fun, like Jake and Josh? Gotta mix it up teaching skating/hockey and fun drills even if they dont get much out of the silly drills. All work and no play makes for ex players

[sorno82]

Actually, jumping through hula hoops is good. It teaches them quick first steps and acceleration. They seem to go a lot faster at that age knowing they are jumping through a hoop rather than skating to a line. Adding races and games lets them practice their skills without realizing it and making it fun. I am suprised so many "experts" mock those techniques. Gotta mix it up and keep it fun if they are going to develop. It is not like doing line drills at MM, but just as effective for the youngsters.

[tomASS]

JoeBoy and sorno82 - thanks for responding.

Spot on answers!

kids at this age love having fun!

[Can't Never Tried]

kids at this age love having fun!

And right here on the bored!