From the coaches and Board members of the GHA, we are thrilled to welcome you to the upcoming hockey season. This letter is to introduce the coaches, our philosophies and approach to the game. This should provide a framework to guide expectations on the team and individual development. At the simplest, hockey should be fun for all involved.

Kids play sports to have fun and playing with friends adds to the enjoyment. Team sports like ice hockey, provide kids with the physical activity and challenges that they enjoy and a ready-made group of new friends to play with. We will strive to develop a team atmosphere, playing together and working towards a common goal. Development of the individual hockey player can and will occur simultaneous with team development.

While competition is a big part of youth sport, what competition means to adults and to kids isn’t always the same. At 19U, coaches and parents need to keep kids focused on process over outcomes. It is the effort and striving that teaches the real lessons. At 19U, the focus should still be on long-term player development and building confidence. Shortening the bench does not accomplish either goal, so providing fair playing time should be paramount.

Adolescents (around 15-18 years) that have developed the physical, cognitive, social, emotional and motor skills needed may decide to invest their effort into highly specialized training in one sport.

Objective

Prepare athletes for the competitive environment, continue to refine technical adaptability, ancillary skills and develop the physical attributes.

General Description of the Learn to Compete stage

This is the time to optimize general athleticism and fitness and to begin to specialize in ice hockey. Training should be individualized to the athlete’s particular needs in each facet of performance – technical, tactical, physical and mental, with the understanding that these areas are highly interdependent. During this stage, training volume and intensity increase, so incorporation of recovery methods and monitoring is important. The training season is longer, and event specific. Competitions and tournaments become more important and the focus starts to shift from development to performance. Athletes learn to prepare for competition, and learn to handle competitive pressures in any situation. This is the time to consolidate individual strengths and rectify weaknesses.

 Sampling and Specialization

Although it is encouraged that athletes continue to participate in complementary sports for overall athletic development, lifestyle and social aspects, this is also the age when children should have the opportunity to either choose to specialize in a favorite sport or continue in sports at a recreational level. During late adolescent years (15-18) they have developed the physical, cognitive, social and emotional and motor skills needed to invest their effort into highly specialized training in one sport.

USA Hockey’s Key Focus for the Train to Train Stage

• Refine adaptable technical abilities

• Gain confidence in a variety of competitive situations

• Good decision-making skills

• Make improvements in overall physical development and athleticism

Players at this age aren’t pro athletes. These are kids (families) who are paying to play. How do kids improve if they are not playing? Teams are generally only as strong as their weakest players, so increasing every player's ability will improve long-term player development and help improve the team's overall performance during the season.

It's imperative that youth coaches communicate the playing-time philosophy with parents and players at the beginning of the season, and reinforce it throughout. Coaches and parents should put development ahead of short-term winning in youth hockey games. Remember, these games are for the player’s development, not for the adult’s satisfaction.

In the end, youth sports are about having fun, teaching healthy life skills, instilling a strong work ethic and helping players reach their full genetic athletic potential. This requires opportunities to practice and compete in a healthy and supportive environment. It's the job of the coach to prepare every player for game-time scenarios. Players do not rise to the occasion; they fall to the level of their training. So make sure every player gets a high level of training and equal playing time.

GHA is part of USA Hockey and each team will have all coaches certified for that age level. All players must be members of USA Hockey in order to practice or play games. We will follow the USA Hockey ADM model. Improving Agility, Balance and Coordination (ABC) among all youth hockey players is a main goal for the American Development Model. Extensive information regarding the ADM, and its success, can be found at the USA Hockey website.