IP TOMORROW!

NEW IP PLAYERS FIRST OUTING OVERVIEW

This is a “first impression” moment. All the players are NEW to the NMHA IP program – most will be younger but some will be 6 and going into Novice next year. It is critical that we set the tone for the whole season so….

UPBEAT, ENGAGING, FUN, ORGANIZED, PROFESSIONAL

 We do not have to give each player a score. We need to find out what their initial skill set is. This will be the basis for planning the IP1 program. We will need to look at six skills:

Forward skating

Ability to get back up when they fall

Ability to turn

Balance

Ability to stop

Backward skating

Another goal is to find a small number of players who are better suited for IP2- They do not have to be the oldest players – just the ones that have already mastered some skills.

The group is likely to vary in their overall skating ability so it is important that we don’t fall into the trap of trying to get everyone to do the same thing. The net result of doing that would be that we would be only be able to go through drills at the speed of the slowest skater. The initial skate will help us identify beginning skaters.

Before we begin

In the change room players will need to be reminded that they need neck guards and mouth guards. This is not optional. I will have mouth guards parents can purchase and a few extra neck guards.

Getting on the ice

Two instructors will need to be at the gate helping players get on the ice. Some will forget to take off their skate guards! When players get on the ice they will skate counter clockwise around the rink with a plastic ball. During this time, you will be checking on them – both their equipment and their overall skating ability.

ALL IN centre ice I will go over some basic safety rules (falling, gloves, water breaks, what to do if they are hurt or tired), some basic organizational rules (how we will get their attention) and introduce the instructors.

Equipment needed:

Plastic balls (34)

Plungers (11)

Hoola hoops  (10)

ALL IN SKATING ( skaters go to one end)

We will try to divide players into two groups based on their overall skating ability

1. Skate and drop to both knees (and get up) at the blue lines and red line
2. Skate forward to the centre line and stop – Slower skaters (group A) return to the same end and faster skaters (group B) continue to the other end.  This simple test will begin to identify the beginning skaters into group A.
3. Skate forward and lift one foot at every line (group A goes to centre and back while group B goes to the far end and back)
4. Skate forward and stop at every line (group A goes to centre and back while group B goes to the far end and back)

Group A goes to one end for three drills (5 instructors) Follow the leader to get there.

Players put their sticks down and instructors check the knobs and length and mark with yellow tape

1. Paired backward skating using the hoola hoops going across the ice
2. Plunger ball – skate out and retrieve the balls using the plungers –
3. Skate through a pylon course (three lines)

After this they get their sticks back

Group B ( our more developed skaters) goes to the other end (5 instructors) Follow the leader to get there

Players put their sticks down and instructors check the knobs and length and mark with yellow tape

1. Paired backward skating using hoola hoops
2. Plunger ball –skate out and retrieve the balls using the plungers
3. Ringette rings through a pylon course  (three lines)

Wrap up Game –ALL IN (no teams)  Score on the nets placed at the blue lines (using the plastic balls )

Instructors tunnel up and say goodbye to all players. We will do this every practice

I can only imagine how excited the parents are to say nothing of the Timbits!!!!

Check out the Chrevolet /Hockey Canada resource

All players born in 2008 who are registered in the NMHA qualify for a free helmet. The link is on the NMHA website. I was going over the program and noticed a free parent guide that can be downloaded. It is a great read for not only “rookie” hockey parents but ALL HOCKEY PARENTS AND FANS.  I borrowed this from the download:

FAIR PLAY CODES
PLAYERS
 I will play hockey because I want to, not just because others or coaches want me to.
 I will play by the rules of hockey, and in the spirit of the game.
 I will control my temper – fighting and “mouthing off” can spoil the activity for everybody.
 I will respect my opponents.
 I will do my best to be a true team player.
 I will remember that winning isn’t everything – that having fun, improving skills, making friends and
doing my best is also important.
 I will acknowledge all good plays/performances – those of my team and of my opponents.
 I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions and show
them respect.
PARENTS
 I will not force my child to participate in hockey.
 I will remember that my child plays hockey for his or her own enjoyment, not for mine.
 I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or
violence.
 I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that my child will never feel
defeated by the outcome of a game.
 I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
 I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a game.
 I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good plays/performances by both my
child’s team and their opponents.
 I will never question the officials’ judgment or honesty in public.
 I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s hockey games.
 I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to coach hockey for
my child.
SPECTATORS
 I will remember that participants play hockey for their enjoyment. They are not playing to entertain me.
 I will not have unrealistic expectations. I will remember that the players are not professionals and
cannot be judged by professional standards.
 I will respect the officials’ decisions and I will encourage participants to do the same.
 I will never ridicule a player for making a mistake during a game. I will give positive comments that
motivate and encourage continued effort.
 I will condemn the use of violence in any form and will express my disapproval in an appropriate manner
to coaches and league officials.
 I will show respect for my team’s opponents, because without them there would be no game
 I will not use bad language, nor will I harass players, coaches, officials or other spectators.

 

I KNOW THAT PROBLEMS WITH ATTITUDE IS EXTREMELY RARE IN TIMBITS HOCKEY BUT IT NEVER HURTS TO TAKE A MOMENT AND REFLECT ON WHY WE ARE ALL HERE! 

FOR NEW TIMBITS THE SORTS WILL BE EITHER SATURDAY SEPT 7 or SUNDAY SEPT 8.  DETAILS ARE ON THE NMHA WEBSITE

DON’T FORGET TO SHARPEN THOSE SKATES AND GET A MOUTH GUARD – See you at SPLEX 2