IN THIS ISSUE

5 Best Practices for Development at 10U

Lead Like Louie

Quick Change Goalie Equipment Order Deadline Near

10U Q-and-A: True Competitiveness

8U Q-and-A: Transition to 10U

Multi-Sport Successes Abound on Minnesota's North Shore

Mosser Oversees Major Growth in New Jersey Youth Hockey

Video: Doc Rivers on Parents Seeking More Playing Time

Video: Tommy Amaker on the Role of a Sports Parent

Just for Coaches:
On- and Off-Ice Drills

Volume 4 Issue 3
March 21, 2017
5 BEST PRACTICES FOR DEVELOPMENT
AT 10U
By Michael Rand, USA Hockey ~ Navigating the 10U hockey landscape as a parent can be daunting. It's such a critical age in so many ways, with the lessons learned on and off the ice laying the groundwork for the player your child will eventually become.
 
Joe Bonnett, regional manager for USA Hockey's American Development Model, doesn't have every answer about how to meet those challenges, but he does have a lot of tips and best practices - a series of do's and don'ts to get you through.

Do:  Encourage skill development.
Don't:  Develop a win-at-all-costs mentality.

An important thing to remember is that 10U hockey is primarily about skill development. While it might be tempting to want coaches to take shortcuts that lead to more victories in the short-term, embracing a longer view of success is critical.  FULL ARTICLE>>
ILLINOIS ADM NEWS
LEAD LIKE LOUIE
By Elizabeth Boger, ADMKids ~  Like any young player, Chicago native Louie Belpedio looked to the captains of the Miami University hockey team for guidance and leadership. He studied their tendencies and behaviors, and eventually began to develop a leadership style of his own.  Two years later, it's his turn to wear the 'C.'  A junior defenseman for the RedHawks, Belpedio understands what it takes to gain the respect of his teammates. READ MORE>>
QUICK CHANGE GOALIE EQUIPMENT ORDER DEADLINE NEAR
The QuickChange goalie equipment system is a must-own for all youth hockey organizations with 6U and 8U programs. This equipment is specifically designed to make it easy for a coach or parent to convert a skater into a goalie. Within one minute, you can have your skater ready to play between the pipes. The set features a Youth L/XL goalie-padded jersey, 24-inch goalie leg pads and an equipment bag. The order period for September delivery will close March 31. For additional information or to place an order click HERE.
USA HOCKEY ADM NEWS
10U Q-AND-A: TRUE COMPETITIVENESS
Q: My 10U hockey player doesn't seem to care whether his team wins or loses. Should I be concerned about his competitiveness?
A: Not at all. At his age, having fun is more important than wins and losses. Besides, the scoreboard shouldn't be the measuring stick for competitiveness at young ages. Instead, pay attention to how your child handles himself when there are loose pucks. Is he aggressive in going after it or does he tend to shy away? READ MORE>>
8U Q-AND-A:
TRANSITION TO 10U
Q: My child is finishing the 8U cross-ice season and heading to 10U next fall. How will the transition to full-ice hockey go?
A: This is a great question. There's no doubt that there will be an adjustment period. It will be important to stay patient and realize the changes in game structure that your player will be experiencing. Most importantly, maintain a long-term view. The skill-development benefits your child experienced in cross-ice hockey will pay dividends, especially in terms of your child's long-term hockey potential. READ MORE>>
ADM ACROSS AMERICA
MULTI-SPORT SUCCESSES ABOUND ON MINNESOTA'S NORTH SHORE
By Mike Scandura ~ After coaching high school hockey in Minnesota for 31 years, Mike Guzzo knows a thing or two about what's best for an athlete. And just like USA Hockey and its American Development Model, Guzzo recommends that athletes avoid early specialization in a single sport. "We encourage three-sport athletes," said Guzzo, head coach of the North Shore Storm. "We're not pressuring kids into being one-sport athletes. A lot of times, they have that competitiveness and the ability to compete more than others who play (only) one sport." READ MORE>>
MOSSER OVERSEES MAJOR GROWTH IN NEW JERSEY YOUTH HOCKEY
By Greg Bates ~ With three kids involved in hockey over the years, Steve Mosser kept busy helping on the coaching side of things. But that role expanded 10 years ago when his middle child entered the game. "I looked around and every single kid in the ice hockey program had an older sibling that played hockey," Mosser said. "So I came to the realization we're not getting any new kids in the program, they don't know about this. The only younger kids in the program are those that have older siblings in the program and it was going to be a dying breed. In another couple years, when there are no younger siblings to be had, the program would have died." READ MORE>>
ADM MULTIMEDIA
CHECK OUT THESE GREAT VIDEOS!

Doc Rivers on Sports Parents Seeking More Playing Time
Current LA Clippers Head Coach, former Boston Celtics Head Coach and PCA National Advisory Board Member Doc Rivers tells the story of his son asking for help in getting more playing time from his coach.

Tommy Amaker on the Role
of a Sports Parent
Harvard Basketball Coach and PCA National Advisory Board Member Tommy Amaker explains his process for managing communications among himself, his players and their parents.
JUST FOR COACHES

ON-ICE DRILLS
10U-12U: Power Play 4v2 Four-Square

OFF-ICE DRILLS
Multi-Directional Movements for Speed
Purpose:  To encourage quick puck movement, spreading out (proper spacing) and goal-scoring.  VIEW PLAN>>

Hockey Off-Ice Training Drill #4: Multi-directional Movements for Speed.