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Youth Hockey Prep
Spring
2007 River Rats
Young players are introduced to the fundamental
skills of hockey in a learning environment
modified to meet the needs of beginners.
Curriculum is based on skill intensive
drills in a fun and upbeat style allowing
players the maximum amount of time on ice.
Players then play intersquad games on Sunday
mornings to gain game experience.
"...Players participating in cross-ice
practicing and playing, will result in
their enjoyment of hockey as well as their
hockey skills being greatly enhanced..."
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12
weeks of hockey instruction |
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90+
hours of total ice time |
Dates
Monday, March 19,
through the week of June 11.
Cost
$1,200 per player
| Ice
Times |
| Monday
Practice |
5:30
- 6:50pm |
| Saturday
Practice |
10:30
- 11:50 am |
| Sunday
Game |
9:00
- 10:20am |
Space is limited!
Enroll Today!
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| Program
Highlights |
- Expanded
skill-intensive curriculum
- Cross
ice players divided into playing ability
- Staffed
with low player-to-coach ratio
- Provide
player with a fun learning environment
- Modified
playing environment to meet the needs of young
players
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| Curriculum |
- Curriculum
is based on skill-intensive drills with minimal
to no waiting in lines.
- Practices
are fun and upbeat while allowing skaters the
maximum amount of time on ice.
- Sections
of the ice are divided by playing and skating
ability so players can learn with groups of their
own ability.
- Practice
plans are structured and produced before each
practice to allow for no down time during practice.
- As
players progress over the course of a season,
they move up to a higher level of skill development.
- Increased
opportunities for players to touch and handle
the puck.
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River
Rats Cross-ice
Practicing and
Playing Model
| Practicing |
- The
children have more energy with which
they can improve their skills when they
are skating 85 feet across the ice surface
as opposed to the 200 feet length of
the ice surface.
- Group
sizes become smaller which means learning
and teaching will become more effective.
- The
close feeling of belonging to a team
will motivate a child to participate
with even greater enthusiasm.
- Drills
designed according to the varying skill
level of players within the group are
easier to organize.
- More
puck contact, resulting in improved
puck control skills.
- More
repetition/frequency in drills in one
ice session.
- Decision-making
skills are enhanced, as more decisions
must be made more frequently at a higher
tempo.
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General
Spirit of
Participation and
Fun |
- More
children get a chance to play ice hockey.
- More
children will experience a feeling of
success when playing hockey.
- The
same exciting and fun environment as
in a "real" game is created.
- More
and less gifted children will benefit
from close/tight action on the ice.
- Children
are excited and motivated to continue
playing hockey.
- Hockey
will be more appealing and rewarding
to a wider range of children and their
parents.
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| Actual
Game |
- Playing
on a smaller rink results in increased
puck possession time for each player.
- Individual
technical skills develop more quickly.
- More
frequent line changes in the game means
more ice time for each player.
- Line
changes are made quickly since the
players are directly beside the playing
surface.
- Each
player's activity increases greatly.
- Scoring
skills are enhanced since the players
have more shooting opportunities.
- The
goalkeeper's reading of the game and
reaction to changing game situations
become more effective.
- More
repetition for goalkeepers.
- The
game is full of continuously changing
situations.
- The
speed in playing situations increase,
which will require quicker mental and
physical reactions by the players.
- Due
to increased tempo, all of the team
members take part in solving the playing
situations, which leads to a sharing
of responsibilities between players.
- The
feeling of being an important part
of the action increases because of
the small size of the rink.
- Hockey
sense, or understanding the principles
of the game, is being developed at
a young age.
- There
are no unnecessary breaks in the game
(i.e. off-sides, icing).
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Tots Skating School Flyer