HighSchoolHockeyForums.com

Posted: **Mon May 18, 2009 12:07 pm**

"almost 6"

HD41 you are starting to scare us...we thought the NHL post was in jest, and now this...

Posted: **Mon May 18, 2009 1:56 pm**

At "6" I expect the coach to play small ice games and make sure all the players are participating and having fun. If you don't think the coach is doing enough for your "6 year old", supplement the on ice practices with fun skill games at home. Go pass a puck with your son in the basement. Play a stick handling game with him. Purchase an inexpensive hockey net and play a game of "pick your spot" and shoot pucks together. If you still think the coach isn't running the correct practice with your "6 year old" son, then get your coaching certificate and get your butt on the ice.......If you know how to skate? Careful, I hate to see you go out there and fall on a "6 year old"!

Posted: **Mon May 18, 2009 4:27 pm**

Posted: **Mon May 18, 2009 9:44 pm**

i have a great idea how about having some fun... well i was a tad crazy with my first. you get alittle smarter as time goes on and if you want to speed that process up take some good honest advice. get a grip and let the kid learn to love the game. that whole fun factor thing tends to get lost in the mix of the d1 dream.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 9:20 am**

At that age kids really don't need to be on the ice at all. What they need is chalk talk so they can learn strategy. The only reason kids should be on the ice at 6 years of age is to practice their goal scoring celebrations.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 9:30 am**

watchdog wrote:i have a great idea how about having some fun... well i was a tad crazy with my first. you get alittle smarter as time goes on and if you want to speed that process up take some good honest advice. get a grip and let the kid learn to love the game. that whole fun factor thing tends to get lost in the mix of the d1 dream.

WAS a tad crazy ? looking at your posts good to see you have mellowed

2pipesin hit the nail on the head

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 10:05 am**

silentbutdeadly3139 wrote:
watchdog wrote:i have a great idea how about having some fun... well i was a tad crazy with my first. you get alittle smarter as time goes on and if you want to speed that process up take some good honest advice. get a grip and let the kid learn to love the game. that whole fun factor thing tends to get lost in the mix of the d1 dream.
WAS a tad crazy ? looking at your posts good to see you have mellowed

Now that was the best catch ever... Watchdog I hope you stay mellow and give advice like this more often.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 11:25 am**

I think hockeydad41 should grab a pair of skates and a whistle and get on the ice.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 12:04 pm**

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 1:41 pm**

HD41, I was glad you made the post. It's nice to see a parent concerned about development. I've always believed that hockey should be fun. And that the better you are at it, the more fun it can be. It's surprising how little ice time is devoted to skills development. Feel free to send me a pm if I can help. You're on the right track.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 2:17 pm**

HD41 - We are giving you a herd time because of the way you posed your question. You have a 6 year old player and you are worried that "your son" is not getting the proper training. If you would have approached the subject from a "team" perspective (the team should do more passing) instead of a "my son" perspective you would have been fine. I coached for a very long time and coaches are supposed to coach all the players. From the lowest talent to the highest talent that is on the ice at that time. A 6 year old players should be skating around cones, over sticks, under sticks performing fun relay races. Most of the skating at that age should be done without any sticks so they can develop good balance and edges (skating). If you can not skate well, passing and shooting are irrelevant. You sound like a new hockey dad and want the best training for your son. Work with him at home on the driveway or basement. It will develop an off-ice training (playtime) mindset that will benefit him in years to come. I see players year after year that would be so much farther along if they would just perform some stick handling and shooting drills at home. But they don't, they feel they can develop that skill in just practices.

If you do not have the time to stick handle and shoot with him at home but have the money, send him to a hockey camp (6 is a little young). But don't forget to let him play soccer and baseball and fish!

Good luck, they grow very fast!

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 2:52 pm**

2pipesnin - you are much too patient and kind. The kid is almost six (that means he is 5) and the dad says "This will be his 3rd season and I think he is probably old enough and has enough experience to add this concept into his development". I'm sorry - can you say over the top? I would hate to be the young lad's coach with these parental expectations. My guess - HockeyDad41 does not skate and never played hockey. Oldtimer nailed it in my opinion.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 3:23 pm**

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 10:02 pm**

At the age of six I would expect my kids coach to only teach and focus on skating technique. I have yet to see a six year old who can skate properly...and that is going forward and straight. Backwards with crossovers is a whole other issue. I would want my six year old coach to spend three quarters of practice time on teaching skating technique, edge control, proper push and angling, etc. Stops and starts...and knowing how to stop with proper edge angle. If I saw any pucks in the first half of practice i would be irate. If at the age of six the kid can skate and has all the basics down he will be the dominate player on the ice...and that is with zero stickhandling and puck time.

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 10:25 pm**

gdahl wrote:At the age of six I would expect my kids coach to only teach and focus on skating technique. I have yet to see a six year old who can skate properly...and that is going forward and straight. Backwards with crossovers is a whole other issue. I would want my six year old coach to spend three quarters of practice time on teaching skating technique, edge control, proper push and angling, etc. Stops and starts...and knowing how to stop with proper edge angle. If I saw any pucks in the first half of practice i would be irate. If at the age of six the kid can skate and has all the basics down he will be the dominate player on the ice...and that is with zero stickhandling and puck time.

i agree with you 100% on skateing to be the number one key. the best way for a young kid to learn how to skate is by playing skating games without a stick or puck. pom pom or cops and robers are two good ones. they learn every skating movement while having tons of fun!

Posted: **Tue May 19, 2009 10:59 pm**

Delete

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 9:06 am**

mnhcp wrote:I'm serious here, if your coach says something to your kid "you should pass the puck" your screwed!!!!!

Or, if your coach says something like "shoot low" your screwed!!!!!

Or, get a straighter blade like Sidney Crosby....your screwed!!!!!!

1. At this age, passing is unimportant. Taking it to the net, agressiveness is.

2. Shooting low is unimportant. At this age, the goalies all drop and any kid who can lift the puck is an "All Star".

3. Get the biggest whip on your kids blade you possibly can. Forget the backhand and straighter blade. If your kid can lift the puck at this he's (regretably) exceptional. He'll be in all the Selects and All Star tourneys.

Skating is the #1 key. But howabout scoring some goals in conjunction with that. It amazes me how many coaches teach advanced things to 6 -8 yr olds. You will contaminate their play.

A former Gopher told my kid "shoot low". Dumbass. He's 7! So the goalies at this age all drop and pretty much suck. Couldn't cath a softtoss in the back yard and yet, "wants him to shoot low".

Think about it. If your kid can't catch a beachball (softball) why would they be able to stop them in the corners ie "top shelf".

My kid constantly gets break aways. Or for the critics, I've seen many kids get breakaways. But chicken out. No confidence. I find out over and over again that some dumbass coach told the kid to pass. Sure I like unselfish players! But, at this age take it the net or you might as well dump the puck in your end of the rink and let the other team score.

MNhcp Teach your kid to do what you say and he will end up playing b and c hockey. Teach him the game the way it is supposed to be played and he might go somewhere. get off your high horse wanting little Johnny to score 15goals in a mite game so you can tell all of your friends that he is playing on a superseries or mn select team. They don't mean anything.... I agree skating is very important and should take up most of a minimite practice but you will lose kids if you don't throw pucks and competition into the practice plan. Teach you kid to pass the puck in the right situation if the kid on the other end can't catch it teach little Johnny to go get it and pass it again. If he has an open shot take it ... take it hard and low. If the goalie stops it go bang on it until the rebound goes in or until the whistle blows. Teach him to go to his backhand early on and he will have success later in squirts and peewees. Teach him to be creative ( or send him to MM) if you watch a high end practice at any level kids skate with pucks 75% of the time.. how else can they make decisions and control the puck at top end speed. I love the Gdahl quote I would be Irate if i saw pucks the first half of practice.. His kid will end up hating the game.. might as well give him a basketball...

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 9:06 am**

mnhcp wrote:I'm serious here, if your coach says something to your kid "you should pass the puck" your screwed!!!!!

Or, if your coach says something like "shoot low" your screwed!!!!!

Or, get a straighter blade like Sidney Crosby....your screwed!!!!!!

1. At this age, passing is unimportant. Taking it to the net, agressiveness is.

2. Shooting low is unimportant. At this age, the goalies all drop and any kid who can lift the puck is an "All Star".

3. Get the biggest whip on your kids blade you possibly can. Forget the backhand and straighter blade. If your kid can lift the puck at this he's (regretably) exceptional. He'll be in all the Selects and All Star tourneys.

Skating is the #1 key. But howabout scoring some goals in conjunction with that. It amazes me how many coaches teach advanced things to 6 -8 yr olds. You will contaminate their play.

A former Gopher told my kid "shoot low". Dumbass. He's 7! So the goalies at this age all drop and pretty much suck. Couldn't cath a softtoss in the back yard and yet, "wants him to shoot low".

Think about it. If your kid can't catch a beachball (softball) why would they be able to stop them in the corners ie "top shelf".

My kid constantly gets break aways. Or for the critics, I've seen many kids get breakaways. But chicken out. No confidence. I find out over and over again that some dumbass coach told the kid to pass. Sure I like unselfish players! But, at this age take it the net or you might as well dump the puck in your end of the rink and let the other team score.

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 10:54 am**

dogeatdog1 wrote:
mnhcp wrote:I'm serious here, if your coach says something to your kid "you should pass the puck" your screwed!!!!!

Or, if your coach says something like "shoot low" your screwed!!!!!

Or, get a straighter blade like Sidney Crosby....your screwed!!!!!!

1. At this age, passing is unimportant. Taking it to the net, agressiveness is.

2. Shooting low is unimportant. At this age, the goalies all drop and any kid who can lift the puck is an "All Star".

3. Get the biggest whip on your kids blade you possibly can. Forget the backhand and straighter blade. If your kid can lift the puck at this he's (regretably) exceptional. He'll be in all the Selects and All Star tourneys.

Skating is the #1 key. But howabout scoring some goals in conjunction with that. It amazes me how many coaches teach advanced things to 6 -8 yr olds. You will contaminate their play.

A former Gopher told my kid "shoot low". Dumbass. He's 7! So the goalies at this age all drop and pretty much suck. Couldn't cath a softtoss in the back yard and yet, "wants him to shoot low".

Think about it. If your kid can't catch a beachball (softball) why would they be able to stop them in the corners ie "top shelf".

My kid constantly gets break aways. Or for the critics, I've seen many kids get breakaways. But chicken out. No confidence. I find out over and over again that some dumbass coach told the kid to pass. Sure I like unselfish players! But, at this age take it the net or you might as well dump the puck in your end of the rink and let the other team score.
MNhcp Teach your kid to do what you say and he will end up playing b and c hockey. Teach him the game the way it is supposed to be played and he might go somewhere. get off your high horse wanting little Johnny to score 15goals in a mite game so you can tell all of your friends that he is playing on a superseries or mn select team. They don't mean anything.... I agree skating is very important and should take up most of a minimite practice but you will lose kids if you don't throw pucks and competition into the practice plan. Teach you kid to pass the puck in the right situation if the kid on the other end can't catch it teach little Johnny to go get it and pass it again. If he has an open shot take it ... take it hard and low. If the goalie stops it go bang on it until the rebound goes in or until the whistle blows. Teach him to go to his backhand early on and he will have success later in squirts and peewees. Teach him to be creative ( or send him to MM) if you watch a high end practice at any level kids skate with pucks 75% of the time.. how else can they make decisions and control the puck at top end speed. I love the Gdahl quote I would be Irate if i saw pucks the first half of practice.. His kid will end up hating the game.. might as well give him a basketball...

The problem is, kids listen! If a coach tells them to shoot low....they shoot low all the time. If a coach tells them to pass....then they pass in the wrong situations like all the time. They become afraid to do what comes natural. The kids don't know when and when not. I say the coaches over coach the young kids. They're 6,7 and 8. Teach them to skate and don't worry about the technical stuff...they'll figure it out.

Back to the "you're screwed" thing. It means they're over coaching the wrong stuff. I concede passing is okay for the puck hog dominant player but let the kids dangle it abit since they don't touch it much anyways instead of turning it over all the time because the coach says "pass the puck". They're too little.

Unfortuneately, the coach that does this is usually a very knowledgable and well meaning coach who doesn't realize that he's not allowing for creativity. The kids are over thinking everything.

Let 'em dangle and shut up.

Now if it's truely an advanced Mites team (if your club has one) or preferably Squirts, we're talking a whole different deal. Pompusly sitting on my high horse, at Mites I stand by what I said with no waivering.

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:37 pm**

If you're wanting > 75% of practice time to be dedicated to skating technique, you might be happier sending him to the figure skating coach. I'm serious. There are many good hockey players who started this way.

The season is long. There is plenty of time to teach skating and still introduce passing, stickhandling and shooting. As others have pointed out, the key is to make it fun. Another key is to be realistic about how long it will take before they become proficient.

I would *not* spend much time on stationary buddy-passing drills.

Here's what I would do: play a cross-ice game, but add two coaches. They play along the sidelines and are offensive support for both teams. Make a rule that after a turnover, you must make at least one pass to a coach before you can score. This will introduce passing and encourage "give and go" hockey.

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 2:14 pm**

I assume you don't expect them to teach gap control.

If you don't think a kid that has been in the sport for two seasons has the capacity to understand the concept of team play, specifically passing and stickhandling, I think you might be underestimating this age group.

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 2:38 pm**

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 3:03 pm**

Thank you.

I just can't quite figure out what you're trying to say. Push the kids / don't push the kids. Expect something from the kids / don't expect something from the kids. 'Either you hockey do "yes", or you hockey do "no".'

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 3:22 pm**

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