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Anybody have any drills or practice plans for a Mite aged team? I'm very new to this coaching part of the game so I need some input. Any web sites or books that I can look at for ideas? If anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated. email is adrian20@hbci.com

thanks

Be sure the kids can skate and refer to USA Hockey guidelines for that age group. They will let you know what skills players are expected to handle at each age.

Good luck.

well we throw a puck on the ice and let the kids play....

Blue or Black puck?

Andre- This won't make the local "Hockey know it alls" happy.

You should drive over to Minnesota made and see what drills they're doing. All the kids are either 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade. This should give you an idea where your Mites should be.

Concentrate on skating, skating and skating. Repetition is the key. Don't worry too much about stick handling at this age. If they don't learn to skate the right way. Then it won't matter how good a stick handler the kids are in the future.

A complete hockey player learns to skate first.

Get as much ice time as you can. It will benefit the kids to play as much hockey as they can. Pick up hockey, playing tag at open skating. Skate, skate, skate.

Good luck!

"Real hockey players aren't born - They're made"

andre wrote:Anybody have any drills or practice plans for a Mite aged team? I'm very new to this coaching part of the game so I need some input. Any web sites or books that I can look at for ideas? If anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated. email is adrian20@hbci.com

thanks

Andre - just make sure you wear your helmet. It's not a wise decision to get on the ice if you don't know what your doing. You could fall and hurt yourself. I know that won't happen to you because anyone that isn't afraid to ask for help when they need it, is already way ahead of the game. Glad your volunteering and working with others to make your Mite program better.

This age - get them hooked and in love with the game. Because they aren't machines that can be made. They have to have the love of the sport and the desire to play, and a great deal of fun in order for any improvement to take place.

PS- have fun yourself because it is contagious.

tomASS wrote: It's not a wise decision to get on the ice if you don't know what your doing. You could fall and hurt yourself.

Hey tomASS I see you have been working on your backhand shot!


andre- just keep it fun for the kids and the parents at this age.

The books you got when you were certified by USA hockey... they should have all you need for this age group to plan good practices with drills that will promote proper skating technique.

IMO, mites should always finish out practice with some sort of fun game, that will let them use the new skills their learning, while having fun.

Can't Never Tried wrote: Hey tomASS I see you have been working on your backhand shot!

you are correct meeee boy!

Hardest shot for the recipient to tell how it's coming off the stick - thanks for the advice on the proper technique to gain the most leverage on the shot

Can't Never Tried wrote:

IMO, mites should always finish out practice with some sort of fun game, that will let them use the new skills their learning, while having fun. [/quote]


Great way to finish a practice at any level.

breakout wrote:

Can't Never Tried wrote:

IMO, mites should always finish out practice with some sort of fun game, that will let them use the new skills their learning, while having fun.

breakout wrote:Great way to finish a practice at any level.

Since when are herbies a game??

I like watchdogs approach toss a puck out and let them go.

Boogerman seems to think a player needs to learn to skate with his equipment on during a structured practice. The best way to learn to skate is public skating playing Pom-Pom or Tag for hours at a time unless that has gone the way of Murderball too.

Can't Never Tried wrote:

breakout wrote:

Can't Never Tried wrote:

IMO, mites should always finish out practice with some sort of fun game, that will let them use the new skills their learning, while having fun.

breakout wrote:Great way to finish a practice at any level.

Since when are herbies a game??

That's right.............teach while they are young to fear the word "AGAIN"

Andre,

Can't never tried wrote: Just keep it fun for the kids and the parents at this age.

The books you got when you were certified by USA hockey... they should have all you need for this age group to plan good practices with drills that will promote proper skating technique.

Andre- I'd listen to the know it alls. They say make it fun for the kids. Then they refer to the USA hockey certified books. You'll find out that they know best. NOT!

What they said was the exact same thing I wrote. Go watch some other Mites, skate outside and make it fun for the kids. Skate, skate and skate. All parents have different view points on the approach. Some kids can handle instruction. Some just want to have fun. There's no right way. There's no wrong way.

tomASS, As for the helmet comment. Nice character, true character and maturity. This is exactly what the local association says about you. Not surprised. You're not the well respected person as you portray. As long as you want to play your game. I'll play. Shows your true negative approach in life.
I'm fine with agreeing to disagree. Being the hockey God you are. tomASS knows best.

BoogeyMan wrote:Andre,

Can't never tried wrote: Just keep it fun for the kids and the parents at this age.

The books you got when you were certified by USA hockey... they should have all you need for this age group to plan good practices with drills that will promote proper skating technique.

Andre- I'd listen to the know it alls. They say make it fun for the kids. Then they refer to the USA hockey certified books. You'll find out that they know best. NOT!

What they said was the exact same thing I wrote. Go watch some other Mites, skate outside and make it fun for the kids. Skate, skate and skate. All parents have different view points on the approach. Some kids can handle instruction. Some just want to have fun. There's no right way. There's no wrong way.

tomASS, As for the helmet comment. Nice character, true character and maturity. This is exactly what the local association says about you. Not surprised. You're not the well respected person as you portray. As long as you want to play your game. I'll play. Shows your true negative approach in life.
I'm fine with agreeing to disagree. Being the hockey God you are. tomASS knows best.

When did I say I know it all?
I have a mere 25 yrs of adult experience coaching, plus my years of playing..... so, I will say this, I know you know a lot less, and you prove it on nearly every post.
I just choose to do what most do....ignore you!

I stand by what I said, the reason to refer to the manuals is so we don't have ego maniac, overzealous parents, that are new to coaching,(no ref. to andre) that think they are the next NHL coach, taking the fun out of the game for kids before they even get started...get my drift!

Can't Never Tried wrote:
When did I say I know it all?
I have a mere 25 yrs of adult experience coaching, plus my years of playing..... so, I will say this, I know you know a lot less, and you prove it on nearly every post.
I just choose to do what most do....ignore you!

I stand by what I said, the reason to refer to the manuals is so we don't have ego maniac, overzealous parents, that are new to coaching,(no ref. to andre) that think they are the next NHL coach, taking the fun out of the game for kids before they even get started...get my drift!

CNT - if you don't agree and you have a different opinion then you are a know it all. That is someone's definition of it from what I gather.