Ponoka Fun Team Hockey Coaches will adhere to the FAIRPLAY principles laid out by Fun Team Alberta and Ponoka Fun Team Hockey,

1. Schedule games and practices remembering that kids have other interest. 
2. Teach athletes to respect the rules, the refs, their teammates and their opponents.  
3. Give all athletes equal instruction and playing time.  We create an environment that athletes of different skill levels will have equal opportunity to enjoy the game of hockey. 
4. Do not yell or ridicule for performing poorly.  Coaches are there to make hockey the experience the kids want, not the experience we want them to have.  This requires conversation as a team to set vision for the season. 
5. Make sure equipment and facility are safe and match the player’s age and ability.  Always have a fully stocked first aid kit on the bench and be familiar with what is in your kit.  Always report shortages or need of replacement items to Ponoka Fun Team Hockey equipment manager. 
6. Be the coach kids can respect.  Be generous with praise even when trying to instruct how they can be better.  
7. Be open to seek advice or help from other PRHA coaches or board members if needing help on coaching techniques or strategies. 

Ponoka Fun Team Hockey Coaches will run practices and games while keeping the following age level guide lines in mind: 

 

5-7  (First Year skating/hockey)

Playing Experience:

• Ice time is once per week on Saturdays.
• This age group should experience 2-3 games through the season.
• Practices include large portion of the time on skating development.  Find fun games that keep the kids moving.  Create stations that focus on different skating elements and avoid having kids standing in line waiting for a turn as much as possible.
• Introduce hockey related skills games using the puck to develop stick handling, passing and shooting.
• Try to end practice with mini 3on3 games or 5on5 scrimmages.  This is their only ice time and should feel like they got to have a game each week.  Some weeks make consist of longer scrimmage time when working rules and positions.
• During the organized games players should experience all and any position including goalie on shift by shift basis. 

Hockey Skill Development:

• Skating: ready position (balance and up/down work), edge control, forward start and stride, controlled turns and stopping, forward crossover, backward skating/stopping
• Puck Control: stickhandling in ready position (in all directions), stickhandling while skating, stickhandling around static objects.
• Passing & Shooting: forehand/backhand passing while standing still, introduce skating when control becomes consistent, wrist and backhand shots taught while keeping balance
• Goaltending: only during scrimmages should a player be put in net.  Only a goalie stick required during these times.
• Rules: Learn how to line up at face-offs and learn what position they are in.  

 

5-7   (2nd or 3rd Year skating/hockey)

Playing Experience:

• Ice time is once per week on Saturdays.
• This age group should experience 4-5 games through the season.
• Practices should include 1/3 portion of the time on skating development.  Find fun games that keep the players moving.  Create stations that focus on different skating elements and avoid having players standing in line waiting for a turn as much as possible.
• Introduce hockey related skills games using the puck to develop stick handling, passing and shooting.  Plan for 1/3 third of practice time on skill development type drills.
• Always end practice with mini 3on3 games or 5on5 scrimmages.  This is their only ice time and should feel like they got to have a game each week.  Some weeks make consist of longer scrimmage time when working on rules and positions.
• During the organized games players should experience all and any position including goalie on shift by shift basis.  

 Hockey Skill Development:

• Skating: ready position (balance and up/down work), edge control, forward start and stride, controlled turns and stopping, forward crossover, backward skating/stopping
• Puck Control: stickhandling in ready position (in all directions), stickhandling while skating, stickhandling around static objects.
• Passing & Shooting: forehand/backhand passing while standing still, introduce skating when control becomes consistent, wrist and backhand shots taught while keeping balance
• Goaltending: only during scrimmages should a player be put in net.  Only a goalie stick required during these times.
• Rules: Learn how to play their positions during game play.  Should start to be introduced to offside and icing towards the end of their time in 5-7 age group.  

 

8-10   Playing Experience:

• Ice times are twice per week.  Practice on weekday and game on Saturdays.
• This age group should average 2-3 games/month.
• Practices include 1/3 of the time on skating development.  Find fun games that keep the players moving.  Create stations that focus on different skating elements and avoid having players standing in line waiting for a turn as much as possible.
• Introduce hockey related skills games using the puck to develop stick handling, passing and shooting.  Plan for 1/3 third of practice time on skill development type drills.
• The other 1/3 time should be used for team concept drill and games like; line movement drills, 3on3 mini games or 5on5 scrimmages.  Use this time to also teach positional play and rules.  
• During games players should play in most cases the same position for the whole game.  Equal opportunity will be made available to play both defence and forward from game to game.  At this level players must learn about all the positions during practices and games.

Hockey Skill Development:

• Skating: edge control while doing forward crossovers and turning, teach the ABC’s (agility, balance, coordination), one-foot stopping, backward skating/stopping/crossovers, mohawk turns
• Puck Control: stickhandling while skating forward and backward, stickhandling around static and moving objects, puck protection, change of pace/direction, give and take with other players and boards,
• Passing & Shooting: forehand/backhand passing while skating, develop strength in wrist and backhand shots (should be trying to get elevation on shots and passes).
• Goaltending: players who fit available goaltending and show interest in wanting to try goaltending should only be allowed with parental consent.  If team has player with their own goaltending equipment, then 2nd Goalie can be dressed for practices if wanted.
• Rules: Positional play should be fairly strict.  Off-sides and icing should be introduced into scrimmages.  Penalties not generally called during games but should be taught and managed by the Coaches.    

 

11-14   Playing Experience:

• Ice times are twice per week.  Practice on weekday and game on Saturdays.
• This age group should average 2-3 games/month.
• Practices include 1/3 of the time on skating development.  Find fun games that keep the players moving.  Create stations that focus on different skating elements and avoid having players standing in line waiting for a turn as much as possible.
• Introduce hockey related skills games using the puck to develop stick handling, passing and shooting.  Plan for 1/3 third of practice time on skill development type drills.
• The other 1/3 time should be used for team concept drill and games like; line movement drills, 3on3 mini games or 5on5 scrimmages.  Use this time to also teach positional play and rules.  Only minor and very general systems play should be taught at this level.  Focus should be on letting the players use each other effectively in order to achieve the common goal.  Let the kids be creative and use their skills to enjoy the game of hockey as long as it is being done in a sportsmanship manor.
• During games kids will likely play in the same position for the whole game.  Equal opportunity will be made available to play both defence and forward from game to game should a player want to change.

Hockey Skill Development:

• Skating: edge control while doing forward crossovers and turning, teach the ABC’s (agility, balance, and coordination), backward skating/stopping/crossovers, mohawk turns, develop explosiveness and power in all skating movements.
• Puck Control: stickhandling while skating forward and backward, stickhandling around static and moving objects, puck protection, change of pace/direction, give and take with other players and boards, 1 on 1 skills should be developed such as toe drags, one-hand carries, fakes and deceptions.
• Passing & Shooting: forehand/backhand passing while skating (develop vision and speed with these skills), develop strength in wrist and backhand shots (should be trying to target their shots), teach slap shots/one time shots and deflections.
• Goaltending: players who fit available goaltending and show interest in wanting to try goaltending should only be allowed with parental consent.  If team has player with their own goaltending equipment, then 2nd Goalie can be dressed for practices if wanted.
• Rules: All game rules should be in full implementation. Games will be refereed as such.    

 

15-17   Playing Experience:

• Ice times are twice per week.  Practice on weekday and game on Saturdays.
• This age group should average 2-3 games/month.
• Practices include 1/3 of the time on skating development.  Find fun games that keep the players moving.  Create stations that focus on different skating elements and avoid having players standing in line waiting for a turn as much as possible.
• Introduce hockey related skills games using the puck to develop stick handling, passing and shooting.  Plan for 1/3 third of practice time on skill development type drills.
• The other 1/3 time should be used for team concept drill and games like; line movement drills, 3on3 mini games or 5on5 scrimmages.  Only minor and very general systems play should be taught at this level.  Focus should be on letting the players use each other effectively in order to achieve the common goal.  Let the kids be creative and use their skills to enjoy the game of hockey as long as it is being done in a sportsmanship manor.
• During games kids will likely play in the same position for the whole game.  Equal opportunity will be made available to play both defence and forward from game to game should a player want to change.

Hockey Skill Development:

• Skating: edge control while doing forward crossovers and turning, teach the ABC’s (agility, balance, and coordination), backward skating/stopping/crossovers, mohawk turns, develop explosiveness and power in all skating movements.
• Puck Control: stickhandling while skating forward and backward, stickhandling around static and moving objects, puck protection, change of pace/direction, give and take with other players and boards, 1 on 1 skills should be developed such as toe drags, one-hand carries, fakes and deception.
• Passing & Shooting: forehand/backhand passing while skating (develop vision and speed with these skills), develop strength in wrist and backhand shots (should be trying to target their shots), teach one time(snap shots only) and deflections.
• Goaltending: players who fit available goaltending and show interest in wanting to try goaltending should only be allowed with parental consent.  If team has player with their own goaltending equipment, then 2nd Goalie can be dressed for practices if wanted.
• Rules: All game rules should be in full implementation. Games will be refereed as such.