By Michael Rand - Praise can be a motivating force in just about any situation across all age groups. But it’s a force so powerful that we also must be careful with how we dole it out – particularly when it comes to young hockey players. Too much praise for 8U hockey players from the wrong sources isn’t necessarily a good thing, says Dr. Dan Saferstein, sports psychologist for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He helps explain the impact of praise and how it relates to the motivation of young players.

By Bob Mancini - With the increasing number of children playing 8U hockey in the United States, an increasing number of scheduling agreements, leagues and jamborees are being formed. This is not a bad thing, nor is it against the principles of high-performance training (the American Development Model) for 8U players. In fact, this is a necessary step for many associations in order to follow more closely one of the most important principles of the ADM: grouping players by similar ability.

By Michael Rand - As hockey players enter the 10U age group, they begin learning more advanced skills. But that doesn’t mean they will master techniques quickly, which is all the more reason to start them at that age. Among the skill introductions at 10U: the art of deception, which includes deking and advanced stickhandling. Joe Bonnett, a USA Hockey American Development Model regional manager, helps explain not only why teaching those techniques is important but also how to go about it.