IN THIS ISSUE
Blackhawks Learn to Play Program an Easy Way for Kids to Try Hockey
HIFE Registration Set for February 5, 2018
Despite Population Decline, Youth Hockey Alive and Well in Eagan
California Youth Hockey Participation at Record Levels
Chasing the Wrong Goal
Is My Child in the Right 8U Program?
When Kids Specialize Early They Lose the Hunger to Compete
Scott Young's USHHOF 'Thank You" to His Parents
USA Hockey Releases Groundbreaking Digital Coaching Tool
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Volume 4 Issue 12
December 28, 2017
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NCAA VPs Say Colleges Need to Help Repair 'Broken' Youth Sports Model
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America's approach to the development of the youth athlete is broken.
As a leader in amateur sports, the NCAA is committed to supporting and promoting solutions to healthy, sustainable, long-term athlete development strategies in youth sports.
As the
Aspen Institute notes, participation in sports by children and adolescents can provide a range of benefits that can last into adulthood. These benefits are not limited to the expected physical improvements that come with physical activity, but also include important emotional and social benefits that can translate into stronger social and leadership skills.
But for these benefits to be fully available to our youth athletes, the participation experience must be effective. One troubling trend is the increasing number of young people specializing in a single sport beginning at a young age, typically in their pre-puberty years.
One common myth that often leads to early sport specialization is the misconception that having a single sport to focus on will lead to opportunities to participate in elite levels of competition beyond the high school level. But this myth is not supported by the facts. Indeed, the vast majority of Olympic athletes played multiple sports as children. There are no data to support that early specialization leads to a greater likelihood of a college scholarship or a career as a professional athlete.
FULL ARTICLE>>
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Blackhawks' Learn to Play Program an Easy Way for Kids to Try Hockey
Registration for the 2018 session is now open!
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI ~ For any tri-state kid aged 5 to 9 that has ever wanted to try hockey, there's a forthcoming opportunity almost too good to pass up.
The Chicago Blackhawks, in a joint effort with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA), are offering a Learn to Play initiative.
The second annual Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program will be an eight- to 10-week course starting in March. It will give kids a shot at trying the sport for a reasonable price. READ MORE>>
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Hockey Is For Everyone Registration Set for February 5th
By Brit Volini, HIFE Chairwoman ~ The Hockey Is For Everyone (HIFE) program is an AHAI supported vehicle providing young athletes from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds the opportunity to use the sport of ice hockey to promote academic achievement, responsibility, respect, teamwork and good character. We provide 200+ young athletes per year the opportunity to learn to play this great sport. The Program provides each athlete with full equipment, ice time, USA Hockey registration and a premier volunteer coaching staff, at no charge to them or their families. Registration for the 2018 HIFE Program will begin on
Monday, February 5, 2018.
MORE INFORMATION>>
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Despite Population Decline, Youth Hockey Alive and Well in Eagan
By Stephen Kerr, USA Hockey ~ Bordered by the magnificent Minnesota River, the Twin Cities suburb of Eagan is nicely tucked away an equal distance between Minneapolis and St. Paul, just seven minutes from the Mall of America. While new home construction has declined in recent years, shifting growth to other areas, Eagan is still the ninth-largest city in the state.
READ MORE>>
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California Youth Hockey Participation at Record Levels
By Stephen Kerr, USA Hockey ~ Young boys and girls in California have plenty of choices when it comes to sports: soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, football, dance, martial arts... and that's just scratching the surface.
There was a time when hockey would have been at the bottom of such a list, if it made it at all. Not anymore. According to
USA Hockey affiliate membership reports
for 2016-17, California saw the largest increase of 8U players in its history, up 25.2 percent to 3,553. Participation among girls was particularly impressive, jumping 49 percent, a new record high. READ MORE>>
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10U Q&A: Chasing the Wrong Goal
By Rich Hansen, USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager
Q: I'm a parent who also coaches my child's 10U team, and at a recent CEP class, the instructor said we should never play "dump-and-chase" hockey at the youth level. I've won many games coaching with a dump-and-chase approach, so why should I abandon it?
A: You should abandon that style of play because winning 10U games isn't the primary goal and playing dump-and-chase limits skill development during a key stage in a player's growth. At that age, the emphasis should be on individual skill development instead.
READ MORE>>
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Is My Child in the Right 8U Program?
By Matt Herr, NHL regional director of youth hockey
December is when the youth hockey season shifts into high gear. For 8U players, the timid introductions are in the past and now it's all about developing those fundamental skills and having fun. Hopefully you've found a program that delivers a great experience for your child, because first impressions are important. But what if you're not so sure? Not all youth hockey associations are created equal, and it's definitely fair to want the best fit. Here are some things to consider as you ponder the remainder of this season and the seasons to come. READ MORE>>
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When Kids Specialize Early They Lose the Hunger to Compete
Mike Klinzing on why specialization and year round play without change of season can often cause kids to lose their hunger and passion for their sport.
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Local Business Spotlight Lunch
Scott Young was recently inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame. Listen to his "thank you" to his parents.
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USA Hockey Releases Groundbreaking Digital Coaching Tool
All 60,000 USA Hockey coaches wonder the same thing as they head to the rink: Is this practice good for the kids?
Coaches put their experience and education to work crafting practice plans and aim to create the best possible plans for their age groups. But even the most veteran coach knows there is room for improvement.
Enter
Mobile Coach 4.0
. The app,
available now on iOS devices and soon to be released for Android devices
, features a first-in-class practice plan analyzer that will evaluate a practice plan and measure it against American Development Model recommended guidelines. READ MORE>>
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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