Youth Hockey Power Skating Classes & Lessons

All hockey players should begin taking power skating classes early! I was so lucky when I first started, there were some really good power skating coaches to work with.  I can remember being a Mite and finishing practice, then jumping into the power skating class that was about to begin.  It was a class for Mite through Junior players.  I believe that skating with higher level players so early, has made me a better skater today!  Even as a Bantam player, I continue to work on my skating!

Over the years, I’ve attend many power skating classes and clinics.  I have also worked privately with Holly Harrington, Brock Ballard, Mike Hensdell and the Phoenix Coyotes Power Skating Coach Mark Ciaccio.  Currently, I am working with Todd Collins and Boris Dorozhenko at Arcadia Ice, they are coaching a High Performance Power Skating and Dynamic Skills & Drills class a few times a week. Skating is the most important part of hockey, so start working on it immediately and then continue working on it!

Kids First Hockey Program

Kids First with ShaneThe Phoenix Coyotes Kids First Hockey Program is underway at Polar Ice Gilbert.  I got to work with Shane today, he is named after Shane Doan and  is a Flyers fan just like me!  It is an exciting time for the little ones just starting out, and learning to stand & skate in full gear.

The Kids First Program provides each participant a set of One Goal rental equipment, which includes everything your player needs to get started-shin pads, socks, hockey pants, shoulder pads, elbow pads, helmet, jersey and a stick.  It is fun to see the kids get better each week and are usually skating alone in full gear by the 4th week.  Holly Harrington runs the program at Polar Ice Gilbert, and does an awesome job helping the kids progress.  I began in the Kids First Program and I am now in my 7th season of travel hockey!

 

Breaking News – No Checking Until Bantam for USA Hockey

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USA Hockey postponed full checking until the age of 13 (Bantam)

It looks like Murph and his buddy Colton from the AZ Runners won’t be throwing any checks this year.  Today USA Hockey passed a rule that will allow for more body contact and training in the “pre-checking” years and postponed full checking until the age of 13 (Bantam). The rule change, know as the Progressive Checking Skill Development Program will aim to gradually introduce youth players to the contact aspects of the game in the pre-checking years of development (Mite, Squirt and Pee Wee).

Specifics of the Rule Change (From USA Hockey)

  • It encourages more bodycontact in the pre-bodychecking age categories by providing more training and support for coaches and referees; and encouraging more legal bodycontact in the pre-bodychecking age categories through “Point of Emphasis” rule #1 passed by the Board.
  • It tightens the standard of play for intimidation hits in the legal body checking age categories. Beginning in the 2011-12 season, legal body checking in games will begin at the Bantam age level (ages 13-14).
  • Beginning in 2011-12, each USA Hockey coach will be required to take an age-specific training module which will provide training information consistent with long-term athlete and childhood development principles for the age category the coach will be engaged with. Each module will include training information for body contact and checking.
  • Each season, USA Hockey officials attend clinics that review points of emphasis relating to the standard of play. These 2011-12 clinics will focus on allowing more body contact consistent with the rules in pre-checking age categories and a tighter standard of play for roughing, cross-checking, boarding, charging, high-sticking and other intimidation hits in the legal body checking divisions.
  • USA Hockey will monitor the on-ice management of games with regular reports from local referee-in-chiefs, coach-in-chiefs and Association Coaching and Education (ACE) administrators to USA Hockey’s national office staff in Colorado Springs.
  • USA Hockey will conduct research on the effect of the Progressive Checking Skill Development Program on risk reduction and skill development. The results of the research will be published when completed.
  • The Board also passed rules that prohibit any check that comes in contact with the head or neck. The goal of this rule is to make the player more responsible for actions that make contact to the head or neck similar to rules now in place for stick infractions to the head.

The full article and additional information about the ruling, can be found on the USA Hockey Website.

Kids First Hockey

It was good to spend a couple of days working with Holly at Kids First Hockey at the Gilbert Polar Ice.  Hockey First is run by the Phoenix Coyotes to introduce new players to the best game in the world, HOCKEY!

Hockey Rocks!

Murph at Coyote Cup Game vs Vosha

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