HOCKEY PRACTICE: K-5
SKATING IS THE FOUNDATION
Classes are designed to teach and help students master the basic fundamentals of skating. Our qualified Instructors will use a variety of games and teaching tools to creating a fun, safe and educational experience!
Students are required to provide their own skates, mitts/gloves and hockey helmet (helmet must be CSA Approved-Canadian Standards Association). Helmet cage is recommended for Level 1 and 2, but not mandatory. Bicycle or road hockey helmets are NOT permitted. Hockey skates or figure skates with laces are recommended over adjustable, plastic skates.
OBJECTIVES:
Developing the fundamental skills (skating, jumping, turning and stopping), manipulation skills (shooting, puck control) and overall motor skills (balance, coordination, agility) in a fun and safe sport environment that promotes self-confidence.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Make the first impression of HP (Hockey Practice) a positive one for students and parents. Playing games exist mostly in modified forms, with limited number of formalized games.
U7
KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 2
Standing, balance, foot movement, holding a hockey stick, moving a puck, passing to a classmate.
Two to four development sessions per week, 50 - 60 mins per session. The emphasis of the Glarea Program is based on teaching technical skills and individual tactics. This foundation of skills (skating) will enhance a students enjoyment of the activity. The program recommends that students development is built on practicing technical skills 85% and individual tactics 15%
Once students reach grade 5, they will have many years of understanding, and at 9 or 10 years old, they are prepared to spend more time on specific skill acquisition, understanding simple concepts and implementing structure that can be applied in game situations.
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
- Skating
- Puck Control
- Passing
- Fun games, lighter puck, smaller nets
- Jump rope
- Jumping and agility circuits
- Use of a variety of training equipment such as puck balls, mini sticks, floor hockey sticks Specific training of skills through drills while developing life lessons.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
The fundamental skills that are required to play the game (e.g. SKATING, shooting, and passing).
INDIVIDUAL TACTICS
An action by one player using one or a combination of technical skills in order to create an advantage or to take away the advantage of an opponent. A tactic may be classified as offensive or defensive (e.g. 1-on-1 offensive fake and driving to the net).
Team Tactics
A collective action of two or more players using technical skills and / or individual tactics in order to create an advantage or take away the advantage of an opponent (e.g. 3 vs.2).
U9
GRADE 3 - 5
Students will focus on improving technical skating skills, and puck control. Development will continue to grow the fundamental skills and individual tactics of each student which leads into team tactics and free play.
Three development sessions per week, 30 - 60 min per session - 75% on technical skills, 15% on individual tactics, and 10% on team tactics.
Player Development
Provides the instructor with a comprehensive guideline to help develop a school year plan. The natural progression starting at technical skills emphasizes the development of the fundamental skills which are the foundation of each students athletes success.
A greater emphasis is placed on Technical Skills (Skating followed by passing and shooting) adding the dimension of “hockey sense” to skill development. Once a player has developed the skills of skating and puck handling then the individual tactic of puck control can be learned. Students now understands the “why” of each tactic, i.e. the read and react skills that are being developed.
Students perform drills that will develop strong skating habits (balance, agility, edges, stride etc). Development will continue to grow the fundamental skills and individual tactics of each student which leads into team tactics exploring “Free play”.
Glarea "Free Play"
Glarea Free Play is unstructured, voluntary, initiated activity that allows students to develop their imaginations while exploring and experiencing the world around them. It is the spontaneous play that comes from a students natural curiosity, interest in discovery and enthusiasm.
Free Play is important for development allowing students to use their creativity, imagination, dexterity, cognitive and physical abilities to adjust in all competitive situations.
STREAMLINED Ice “Free Play” Development
- Students play on a more compact ice surface which results in increased puck possession time for each student.
- Individual technical skills develop at an increased rate.
- Frequent line changes / substitutions during development free play results in more ice time for each student.
- Students scoring skills are enhanced due to increased shooting opportunities.
- The goalkeeper’s ability to read the game and react to changing situations becomes more effective. More repetition for goalkeepers.
- The game is full of continuously changing situations.
- The speed in playing situations increases, which will require quicker mental and physical reactions by the students.
- With the increased free play tempo, students will take part in providing solutions for changing game situations, which leads to sharing responsibilities between students.
- The feeling of being an important part of the “action” increases due to the streamlined Glarea ice surface.
- Hockey sense, understanding the principles of the game are developed at a young age.
- There are no unnecessary breaks in development free play (i.e. off-sides, icing).
STUDENTS LEARNING FROM HOME
In the event that students remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic we will continue development with a number off-ice tools and activities.
Mini Stick & Net . Inline skates . Floor ball Stick . Stick handling ball . Golf, Tennis Ball . Floor Ball
Students will be provided with daily fun activities and games via video conference as a group, to play individually at home or with family members. At the HP (Hockey Practice) level students will be supplied with their own dry erase clipboard as a learning tool to doodle, write down ideas, scribble and/or visualize the game from a different perspective.
Stretching . Stick handling . Shooting . Dekes & Fakes activities . Agility games . Full colour write on/wipe-off dry erase surfaces . Double-sided playing surfaces with a 2-dimensional full field/court on one side and a close-up of a 3-dimensional half field/court on other side . Realistic colours and layouts . Durable clip holds paperwork
INSTRUCTORS
Trina Jackson
INSTRUCTORS
Darin Vetterl / Scott Elliott
