Volume 6 Issue 1 | January 2019
10 Years Ago This Month: USA Hockey Approves American Development Model
Ten years ago this month, the USA Hockey board of directors unanimously approved the launch of a new paradigm in youth athlete development: the American Development Model. The decision created a better way to play for American youth, dramatically improving the hockey development environment in the United States. The NHL became an early champion of the ADM, throwing its support behind the initiative. The ADM has since spread across the nation’s entire sporting landscape, as it was subsequently adopted by numerous national governing bodies, local youth sport clubs and the U.S Olympic Committee.

Blending the latest sport science with proven childhood development techniques and decades of high-performance hockey wisdom, USA Hockey’s ADM debuted in the 2009-10 season. Its age-appropriate, age-specific competition and training structure provided a nationwide blueprint for volunteer-led associations, coaches and hockey directors to create the best possible youth hockey experience, placing a heightened emphasis on skill, fun and long-term athlete development principles.
ADM ACROSS AMERICA
Twin Bridges Enrollment Rises with ADM

By Stephen Kerr - The first time Sara Davis was exposed to USA Hockey’s American Development Model was shortly after her oldest son, Zack, joined the Twin Bridges Lightning program. Davis, who played volleyball and softball at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois, knew even before she had children that she would be 100 percent invested in whatever sport they chose.hing special, and she liked what she saw.
USA HOCKEY ADM NEWS
From Child's View, Parents Find Full-Ice Hockey No Fun
To demonstrate how a full sheet of ice looks to a child, USA Hockey put adult players on an extra large rink with giant nets to simulate what a child sees. The players found the games tiring, difficult and said they would lose interest quickly in the sport if that was what they faced. See how adult players opened their eyes to what is being taught by the American Development Model of cross-ice hockey and small-area games.
Positions at 10U: The good, the bad, and the bubble hockey
By Michael Rand - Bubble hockey was a great game a generation ago, and it’s still great today. I’m particularly fond of the move where you pass from the wing to the center and try to jam the puck in the net with one swift movement. Let’s face it: There aren’t many other ways to score when your players are confined to one part of the ice, as determined by rods and gliders.
12U Q-and-A: How Hockey Sense Happens
Q: I know hockey sense or hockey IQ is important, so what can be done to help my 12U player improve this?

A: The first thing that you should assess is your child’s level of awareness, especially when he or she has the puck. Are they able to carry the puck comfortably with their head up?
MULTIMEDIA
USA Hockey Magazine Podcast: Matt Herr

USA Hockey Magazine recently spoke with the NHL's Senior Director of Youth Hockey and the Industry Growth Fund, Matt Herr. The former ADM regional manager discusses how much the ADM has grown the sport since it was approved 10 years ago
ONE-TIMERS
Re-defining Winning
By Jeffery Lin - 41-0 - that was the score in a recent youth sport contest. What sport you ask? Well, common thought with that score line would be football or rugby, but no. This was a U8 hockey game. A game played between two vastly different sets of skills. A game played on full ice, against direct recommendations of Hockey Canada and LTAD experts.
6 Bad Youth Hockey Habits
By Aaron Paitich - Here’s one resolution for the New Year: Break one bad hockey habit before the end of the season. Bad habits are easy to form, but their long-term effects can be very difficult to overcome, thus hindering a player’s development and potential.
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
On-Ice: Firefighter 1 v 1
Purpose: Developing offensive and defensive skills in a fun, fast-paced and competitive environment.
Off-Ice: Stickhandling Workout
Purpose: Multiple drills that can be done off the ice to improve players' stickhanding skills.
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