lorwood
Registered User
- Nov 3, 2008
- 2,766
- 685
Hi I am looking for some advice from some experienced travel hockey parents.
My grandson is starting his 2nd year at the 10u travel level. He is one of three returning players from last season. Last year he and his two current "veteran" teammates were the only first year players. Last season these three boys needed to adapt to playing full ice as well as playing a more positioned game and learning offsides/icing etc. This put them at the bottom of the squad in terms of hockey however all three boys were good to excellent skaters so they could keep up. They all advanced wonderfully through the year, so much so that last years coach has said that if it were not for the age restriction he would love to have all three on this years 12u squad.
This years 10u squad could not be more different. In terms of skating ability there is a huge drop off between the three returning players and two other first year players and the rest of the squad. Truth be told the majority of this years squad need a lot of work on the basics, backwards skating, stopping, transitioning etc.
I and the other 2nd year parents were concerned from the first practice as the lack of basic skating abilities really hampered any type of actual practice. The idea of a simple passing drill simply became moot. The first two games have been a disaster as opponents are running over this years squad. They stopped counting last game but I am guessing the actual final was something like 20-0.
To say the returning players are discouraged is an understatement. I was naïve as to how big a difference coaching could make. Last years coach was very strict on what the level of skating needed to be in order to make the travel team. Players needed to have been taking private lessons and the team coach spoke to each skating coach as well as performing a skating only evaluation. Last year I would think "this coach is really into this, I hope not over the top" This year I understand that this is a difficult game and that skating is such an important foundation.
I know that as a squad this years team will improve. But how do I and the other parents who's son's are at a much higher level keep the boy's engaged and make sure that their game continues to improve?
Thanks in advance
My grandson is starting his 2nd year at the 10u travel level. He is one of three returning players from last season. Last year he and his two current "veteran" teammates were the only first year players. Last season these three boys needed to adapt to playing full ice as well as playing a more positioned game and learning offsides/icing etc. This put them at the bottom of the squad in terms of hockey however all three boys were good to excellent skaters so they could keep up. They all advanced wonderfully through the year, so much so that last years coach has said that if it were not for the age restriction he would love to have all three on this years 12u squad.
This years 10u squad could not be more different. In terms of skating ability there is a huge drop off between the three returning players and two other first year players and the rest of the squad. Truth be told the majority of this years squad need a lot of work on the basics, backwards skating, stopping, transitioning etc.
I and the other 2nd year parents were concerned from the first practice as the lack of basic skating abilities really hampered any type of actual practice. The idea of a simple passing drill simply became moot. The first two games have been a disaster as opponents are running over this years squad. They stopped counting last game but I am guessing the actual final was something like 20-0.
To say the returning players are discouraged is an understatement. I was naïve as to how big a difference coaching could make. Last years coach was very strict on what the level of skating needed to be in order to make the travel team. Players needed to have been taking private lessons and the team coach spoke to each skating coach as well as performing a skating only evaluation. Last year I would think "this coach is really into this, I hope not over the top" This year I understand that this is a difficult game and that skating is such an important foundation.
I know that as a squad this years team will improve. But how do I and the other parents who's son's are at a much higher level keep the boy's engaged and make sure that their game continues to improve?
Thanks in advance