Proposal for CAHC U8 Hockey USA Hockey is the National Governing Body for the sport of ice hockey in the United States. Its mission is to promote the growth of hockey in America and provide the best possible experience for all participants by encouraging, developing, advancing and administering the sport. Recently USA Hockey has developed the American Development Model (ADM) and Red, White, and Blue Hockey initiative which outlines their recommendations for U8 hockey. To summarize the ADM and Red, White, and Blue Hockey initiative; USA Hockey has presented guidelines for U8 hockey which are intended to assist hockey clubs and organizations create age appropriate structure and competition, content, skill development and hockey knowledge. Cross-ice and half-ice practices and games are the cornerstone of the models. The premise is by making the rink smaller it promotes creativity, increases player participation, encourages self-learning, speeds up the learning process, and improves decision-making skills. Best of all, cross-ice/half-ice hockey creates a positive environment and a passion for the game. The smaller ice surface places players closer together and they become much more engaged in the action. This allows for the development of essential hockey skills; stick handling, puck control, and competition for the puck. For many of our younger players the full-ice game makes them susceptible to learning poor habits. USA Hockey has made available practice plans which detail skill development and techniques which are the building blocks for future acquisition of more advanced hockey skills. More information is available at http://www.admkids.com and http://www.admkids.com/coachRWB Several hockey clubs and organizations throughout the United States have adopted the ADM and Red, White and Blue model as their standard for U8 hockey, including Colorado and Montana. Even those “hockey hotbed” states like Minnesota, North Dakota and Michigan have embraced this model. Although USA Hockey has not mandated cross-ice/half-ice hockey I am proposing to Casper Amateur Hockey that we fully embrace this model and that we incorporate this into our Club’s policy under section II. Teams, C. In-House Teams. This would fall under our By-Laws, Article I, #5. The purpose of this Club is to encourage and improve the standards and appreciation of ice hockey in the State of Wyoming, to build good moral character, competitive spirit and better citizens. Also, Article IX, Miscellaneous # 3. Team structuring, league composition, etc., shall be in accordance with the general provisions of USA Hockey, Inc., as amended by the Board and in compliance with the specific directives of the Board as issued in the Club’s Policy Manual Rules, which shall be publicized prior to the official start of the season. As a Club I have heard numerous times how important it is for the future of CAHC to keep our younger kids in hockey. USA Hockey has taken the first step for us by providing the ADM and Red, White and Blue initiative with the goals of increasing player participation and creating a positive learning environment for our U8 skaters. Also, this allows CAHC to have consistency over the years with our U8 age group. I propose, for discussion by our CAHC Board and club members, that the CAHC fully adopts the USA Hockey recommendation of cross-ice (U8 A/B level) and half-ice hockey (U8 C/D level) for our U8 skaters. Respectfully submitted. Kevin Whitman

“One step at a time. PLAY, LOVE, EXCELL”

The U8 C/D group consists of players ranging in age from 6 to 8 years old and the U8 A/B group is for first, second, or third year skaters up to the age of 6 years old. We suggest skaters take a basic learn to skate class however this is not a requirement. Skating is a primary skill for ice hockey and although players must continue to master skating technique throughout their career, there must be a special emphasis place on the ABC elements of skating in the early years of development. Players at the U8 age have a harder time processing technical skills instruction and their bodies lack some of the fine motor control required. At this age large muscle groups and multiple joint movements should be incorporated into the practice sessions. Agility, Balance and Coordination (A, B, C’s) on the ice surface are at the foundation of LTAD for U8 skaters. In this cross-ice environment, a player’s activity level skyrockets because their participation increases, leading to an increased skill set and love of the game. Drills are designed to focus on multiple skills and situations, increasing time with the puck and situational repetition. It’s nonstop action for everyone involved. With all the increased touches and playing time they’ll get with cross-ice hockey and half-ice hockey, kids will remain active over the course of an entire game. And the more active we can keep them, the more enjoyable their experience will be. Because at the end of the day, all that matters is how much they love the game. For young kids, splitting up the ice does a lot more than make the rink smaller. It promotes creativity, increases player participation, encourages self-learning, speeds up the learning process, and improves decision-making skills. Best of all, cross-ice and half-ice hockey creates a positive environment and a passion for the game. Practices 1. A list of practices plans and drills from USA Hockey will be made available to all coaches and are available to view at www.admkids.com and http://www.admkids.com/coachRWB • These drills from USA Hockey will be emphasized in practices. This does not preclude coaches from incorporating their own drills into practice. Drills need to remain consistent with the ADM and Red, White and Blue models. 2. The basic U8 practice structure is for a 50-60 minute block of ice with a 5 minute warm up, 5 minute cool down/fun games. 3. Practices will have at least 3 skill development stations with each station lasting about 10 minutes. •

This does not preclude coaches from occasionally incorporating other drills into practice.

Practices have a preparatory phase followed by the main body of the practice. The main body of the practice session includes station work so that kids are developing their skills in an efficient manner. We will run a minimum of three (3) stations so that there is enough variety to hold the interest of players at this age. Training should be structured so that a large part of the skill repetition is done in a “game” type of format (not actual hockey games). Players at all levels must be mentally engaged in order best acquire new skills. When skills repetition lacks an emotional element, children at this age quickly become bored. If the skills repetition is hidden in the form of a game, children are capable of extended periods of focused effort. Play is the key to emotional engagement in the skills repetition. Coaches will attempt to keep explanation, demonstration and setup time to a minimum. The goal is to have the players actively participating in a drill within one minute of station rotation. Kids at this age learn best by seeing the demonstration of the drill then attempting to do the drill. It is a good practice to repeat one of the prescribed ice sessions twice in a row. Kids at this age like familiarity with the drills, the repetition is good and it helps the overall efficiency of the session. It is easier for the coaches the second time through. At the U8 age group, USA Hockey doesn’t recommend full time goalies. Every player at this age needs to build a foundation of agility, balance and coordination on the ice surface. We will try to rotate every player interested in playing goalie through the goaltender position to help kids discover if that position is truly for them. • All games will be played cross-ice (A/B level) or half-ice (C/D level). • After the first 4 Practices players will be evaluated and assigned a group based on skill level. • Coaches will decide skill level and colored tape will be placed on skater’s helmet to assist coaches. • Blue pucks will be used at this level.

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We will assign players to teams based on skill level so that the skaters will skate against others in their similar skill level. The Team Roster will be published prior to each game on the CAHC bulletin Board. Game rosters can change throughout the season.

Game Procedures 1. Game lengths should be 45 minutes in length. Three 15 minute periods. 2. We will attempt to have players divided up into 4 equal Teams. 3. Games will be 4v4 with a goalie. (A/B no goalie gear, C/D with goalie gear) 4. We will attempt to have 3 practices for every game played. Games will normally be on Sundays. (this is due to a 45 minute practice time on Tuesday versus 1 hour on Sunday for the A/B group) 5. The clock will run and there will be 3 minute buzzers for line changes. 6. We will not be keeping score. Players who score 3 goals in a game will be asked to pass the puck to teammates or placed in the goalie position. (Team Parent will need to keep track of first goals and hat tricks for the end of year awards) 7. Coaches will be on the ice for the drop of the puck and line changes. Parents 1. We will need assistance from all parents. (border patrols and penny jerseys). 2. Each practice and game day will need at least 2 parents to volunteer. Please sign up on the calendar located on the CAHC bulletin Board. 3. We ask that parents assist in getting your child dressed for practice. 4. The Casper Ice Arena has asked that we use the locker rooms to dress our skaters. 5. USA Hockey has recommended that skaters wear mouth-guards. 6. Your child will be issued a Practice Jersey; we ask that they wear it to every practice. 7. On game day we will need assistance from parents to make sure your child has the appropriate color penny jersey (Team roster will be posted on the CAHC bulletin board) 8. Our age level requires parent participation, throughout the year we will need to ask for your assistance so please be understanding and willing to lend a helping hand when asked.