Active Start & U10 Descriptions

Active Start/Learn to Play (4 to 6 years old)

Approximately one ice time per week, usually the same time/day every week.
Introduction and primary focus: skating, ring handling, passing, checking, shooting and small area games.
Emphasis on active involvement, participation and FUN!
Introduce the concept of informal games in 1/2 or cross-ice format.
Season: Post Thanksgiving to early/mid-March.

FUNdamentals (6 to 9-year-olds) - Three Stages

**Levels and placement are determined by player evaluations

U10-Step 1 (As of 2019-2020 season)

1-3 ice times per week will include a combination of practice and games depending on the league game schedule.
Fundamental skill development focus including skating skills, ringette skills and basic goalie instructions for ALL players
Emphasis on active involvement, participation and FUN!
Half ice/cross-ice games focus on basic concepts, rules and flow of the game.
The game format should be structured to maximize "time on the ring" for each player.
Coaches on the ice during games for the first half of the season.
Timed shifts with shift changes on the "buzzer."
Strive for team travel to remain relatively close to home.
Tournament participation permitted
Season: Mid-September to March.

U10-Step 2

As above plus...
No coaches on the ice during games.
No timed shifts - shift changes on the fly.
Continue to consolidate skating and ring skills and understand game concepts.
Tournament participation is limited to 2 tournaments in addition to the home tournament.

U10-Step 3

As above plus...
Full Ice Games
Begin to refine skating and ring skills and have a comprehensive understanding of the game.
Maturity of the athlete indicates readiness for Learn to Train early.
Tournament participation is limited to 2 tournaments in addition to the home tournament.