Fall 2009-10 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 Saturday 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..."

	25 weeks of hockey instruction
	90+ hours of total ice time

Dates
Monday, September 14, through Monday, March 8

Cost
$2,400 per player

Ice Times
Monday Practice	5:30 - 6:50pm
Wednesday Practice	4:00 - 5:20pm
Saturday Game	10:30 - 11:20am

Space is limited! Enroll Today!

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

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.

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.

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.

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).