In The Crease Vol #6 •June 16, 2006
By: Shaun V. Fadale
Congrats to Shawn O'Neil on being the 10 th e-mailer to write to me about a topic for this column. Shawn wins a brand new 1052 CCM Helmet from our Skate Shop. His topic request, “ how about an article about starting your children in hockey. I really need help with that and everyone says something different”. Youth hockey can definitely be tricky. I'm not a professional instructor on youth hockey, I only have a level I coaching certificate. However, I can give you experience advice through coaching and playing. Remember the statements I give are opinions based on MY experience and the experience of some incredible coaches I have conferred with.
The magic age is 4. I know this is the biggest question and everyone says a different age. 4 is right because there are programs in place for that age group already. You won't have to look far to find a crossrinks program or beginner youth (mosquito level) program. These established programs usually are known as “mom and dad coach camps” because the parents know just as little as the kids do. Although it may seem strange to have beginner parents teaching beginner children, it does have success. Not only do the parents get a first hand look at how hard and frustrating ice hockey can be, they also show the children that it takes time to get better (by watching the adults fall down just as much :o). At 4 years old all children will actually teach themselves to skate. Literally they will teach themselves to skate just the same way the child taught himself or herself to walk, run, and jump. So parents, don't worry about the basic skills right off the start. Let your child have fun first and start his or her routine of being responsible for their own equipment. Discipline is key to good hockey and starting this early on is key to a good hockey player. This will also help down the road when the smell of your child's equipment could clear out a small city.
With the older youth hockey player 7 to 12 the game changes. Attitudes change, grades become an issue, and peer pressure is the new word at the dinner table. I could publish a book on this age group, but I won't. I will say by this time you should know if your son or daughter will be playing hockey through the duration of their adolescence. I have a HUGE problem with parents in this age group. I call it the “Little League Mentality”!!!!! This is where parents become non-committed and lax in their children's hockey life. Now if your kid is the next Sidney Crosby you just ruined their life by being a lazy parent. Not to mention showing your child quitting and poor work ethics are acceptable. If you made the commitment then stick it out. Don't be this kind of hockey parent please! The goal is to create a structure for your child of good habits and at the same time have fun. You will know by the age of 11 or 12 if your kid is not cut out for hockey. Most kids that are good athletes and don't enjoy hockey usually do well in a different sport. If they don't enjoy ice hockey they shouldn't play. Don't be confused with a lazy child either. I remember not wanting to go to practice; instead I wanted to play with my friends. My parents made me go and after I was on the ice I didn't want to be anywhere else in the world. I guess its equal to us adults not wanting to get up in the morning to drive to work. After we arrive it's not so bad, with the exception of the work that is (HAHA). So anyway, a good rule to follow is don't be a lazy hockey mom or dad and you won't have a lazy hockey son or daughter.
Any other age group is isolated in advice. Write me if you want my specific opinions or if you'd like to comment on this column. sfadale@netsync.net or call me at the number below. Please check our website www.jsbia.com we have new ice times available so take advantage of them.
I will be out for a while with a knee surgery from June 19 th thru June 30 th (or so depending on recovery). This is the other age group I should write about, the older beat-up age group needing repairs from too many years of hockey. See you when I get back, no “In The Crease” for a week or two. Thank you!
Shaun V. Fadale
Hockey Director JSBIA
(716) 484-2624 Ext. 217