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Cross-Ice Hockey and Small Area Games - Publication by Hockey Alberta
2016-09-28 - Initiation (Tyke) JuniorInitiation (Tyke) Parents,
Cross-ice hockey or Small-area games, simply defined are technical and game-like competitive drills that use a playing surface that has been reduced in size and allows players to practice their hockey skills.
Small-area hockey actually has been around for as long as the game has been played. When players played on a pond did they use an ice surface 60 metres x 30 metres? No, they played in a small area that developed and sharpen their skills without the rules of off-sides, icing, penalties, face-offs, etc. Somehow coaches have moved away from this idea of practicing and playing in an
environment with little control or structure, to one with greater control.
Many of the greatest hockey players to ever play the game will attribute their success to growing up playing on the ponds and not in highly controlled practices! When the playing surface is reduced in size, young players are being correctly prepared for the speed and quickness they will encounter as they grow older. Can you imagine a child eight and under playing basketball using a ten foot basket? Cross–ice develops a positive environment,
increases puck handling, and teaches puck protection by forcing players to play in smaller, confined areas.
For more information, please read the following publication by Hockey Alberta: http://www.crossfieldmha.com/data/2989/files/t611602/iihf-cross-ice_hockey_and_small-area_games.pdf
This publication can also be found on the CMHA website under the "Parents Toolkit" Tab
Cross-ice hockey or Small-area games, simply defined are technical and game-like competitive drills that use a playing surface that has been reduced in size and allows players to practice their hockey skills.
Small-area hockey actually has been around for as long as the game has been played. When players played on a pond did they use an ice surface 60 metres x 30 metres? No, they played in a small area that developed and sharpen their skills without the rules of off-sides, icing, penalties, face-offs, etc. Somehow coaches have moved away from this idea of practicing and playing in an
environment with little control or structure, to one with greater control.
Many of the greatest hockey players to ever play the game will attribute their success to growing up playing on the ponds and not in highly controlled practices! When the playing surface is reduced in size, young players are being correctly prepared for the speed and quickness they will encounter as they grow older. Can you imagine a child eight and under playing basketball using a ten foot basket? Cross–ice develops a positive environment,
increases puck handling, and teaches puck protection by forcing players to play in smaller, confined areas.
For more information, please read the following publication by Hockey Alberta: http://www.crossfieldmha.com/data/2989/files/t611602/iihf-cross-ice_hockey_and_small-area_games.pdf
This publication can also be found on the CMHA website under the "Parents Toolkit" Tab