Offsides in Mites

[mnwild04]

Does your association call offsides in Mite scrimmages or do you let it go? It seems to be a difference among towns in our area, I know the USA Hockey handbook for mites says they should be taught offsides at the mite level.

[elliott70]

Does your association call offsides in Mite scrimmages or do you let it go? It seems to be a difference among towns in our area, I know the USA Hockey handbook for mites says they should be taught offsides at the mite level.

First, are the mites playing cross-ice. If not, do it.
What age/level mites?
The new ones that can play hockey a little should be cross-ice and not worry about a blue line.
The older/better ones playing cross-ice - no.

The oldest ones, moving to squirts - yes, but make the line bigger and don't worry about it if you miss some (keep some marbles in your pocket ). The less whistles the better.

[O-townClown]

Mites at age 8 are a far cry from beginners, so I think it depends on how old you are talking about.

My son turned 6 three days ago. Fall season he played 9 & Under on an Olympic sheet and skated every other shift, so half his time was on the bench and a good deal of his on-ice time was spent lining up for faceoffs.

The first two weeks of Winter season he has played cross-ice Mini-Mites and I love it. He either has the puck or is going to get the puck. The game is right there in front of him instead of being played on a soccer field. At his age that's what it must feel like.

They practice for 30 minutes, take a water break, and play the remainder of the time. He gets 30 minutes of game time with no bench time. Multiple games are played simultaneously. Not only do I love it, he loves it too.

So I agree with Elliott about the cross-ice recommendation for young Mites.

[2pipesnin]

Half ice for mites is a must (and some lower level squirts could benefit from it as well)
Half ice or small ice games will improve a young players hockey skills much quicker and better then any full ice games. Think about it, players will develop better stick handling skills (tight area), better passing skills (giving and receiving) they will develop better hockey sense (reaction and anticipation) and see twice or three times as much ice time. Which means you are getting much more for your money. The players have fun and are working very hard and do not even know it. When they move to the next level (summer or fall) there will be an adjustment period for off sides but their other hockey skills will be there to help them step to the next level. Good Luck and have Fun!

[tourneytickssince59]

Question: How long has the small areaa games; cross ice game philosophy been around and in place by USA Hockey?

I understand the whole concept for skill development but what was done in years past? I don't remember going to the rink (indoor or out) and seeing any cross ice games. I think that pick-up hockey is the place skill development really takes place. If you can get the pick up feel with the cross ice games that super but all to often, I see a coach decide that the 'game' time is wasted time and skating needs to be worked instead by doing drills

[O-townClown]

I think that pick-up hockey is the place skill development really takes place.

You are right. USA Hockey serves the entire country. In most of it there is little to no "pick-up" hockey. In an effort to replicate it, recommendations include cross-ice games.

Good question. I think it is about 5 years but I could be way off.

[elliott70]

Question: How long has the small areaa games; cross ice game philosophy been around and in place by USA Hockey?

I understand the whole concept for skill development but what was done in years past? I don't remember going to the rink (indoor or out) and seeing any cross ice games. I think that pick-up hockey is the place skill development really takes place. If you can get the pick up feel with the cross ice games that super but all to often, I see a coach decide that the 'game' time is wasted time and skating needs to be worked instead by doing drills

In Intl Falls and other northern towns cross-ice has been around since they had the opportunity to play indoors.
Sometimes its is played with two or maybe three pucks.

Cross-ice being promototed by USA Hockey for about 5 years now.