Skills Development (Guelph Minor Hockey Association)

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U6 & U7 - Skills Development 1 & 2 (SD 1 & SD2)

The Hockey Canada U7 Pathway is an essential component in developing the hockey skills of all young kids playing hockey in Canada. The Hockey Canada U7 Skill Development resource is the official hockey instructional curriculum of Hockey Canada.


More than 30 years ago, Hockey Canada developed the Initiation (now U7) Program to ensure a fun, safe and positive hockey experience. It served as a structured, learn-to-play program designed to introduce beginners to basic skills. It also enabled young players to build a solid skill base and become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence and experience a sense of personal achievement – goals achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play. In 1995, Hockey Canada passed a motion requiring the program to be implemented by every minor hockey association across the country and to change their constitution/bylaws to reflect the creation of a new division in hockey.


SD1

In SD1, the focus is on skating fundamentals. No hockey experience is required, as this is an introduction to hockey type of program. Small Area Games (SAGs) are used to create a fun and interactive learning environment to develop individual skills. SAGs are competitive hockey drills done in a smaller-than-normal playing area and are designed to teach players through the simulation of game situations.


The program runs for 19 weeks and includes 33 sessions with a 2 week break over the Christmas Holidays. Each week, there is 1 practice session and 1 game session (one Saturday and one Sunday session).

SD2

In SD2, the focus is on advancing the skating fundamentals learned from SD1, and further enhancing the players skating abilities. No hockey experience is required, but some skating experience is recommended. Small Area Games (SAGs) are used to create a fun and interactive learning environment to develop individual skills. SAGs are competitive hockey drills done in a smaller-than-normal playing area and are designed to teach players through the simulation of game situations. The drills become a little more advanced and competitive than those from the SD1 program.


The program runs for 19 weeks and includes 33 sessions with a 2 week break over the Christmas Holidays. Each week, there is 1 practice session and 1 game session (one Saturday and one Sunday session).


U8 - Skills Development 3 (SD3)

SD3 builds off of those fundamental skills developed in SD1 & 2. Most participants have been in the Skills Development Program for two years now and are ready to begin having more of a hockey focus. Fun is always the primary focus, but now that players have learned the fundamental skills, a shift towards the basics of hockey is natural. SD3 looks to teach hockey specific skills, proper positioning, and introduce basic rules & strategies.

The program runs for 19 weeks and includes 33 sessions with a 2 week break over the Christmas Holidays. Each week, there is 1 practice session and 1 game session (one Saturday and one Sunday session). Games run in a half-ice format to allow for a smaller area of play ensuring each player is more involved in skill development more frequently. Score is not kept, and there are no referees. Coaches run the games, and take the time on the ice to help players with specific skills to continue their development.


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- Alternatively to the U8 - SD3 Program, GMHA offers an advanced, more competitive program call "Advanced Development Program". For more details on the program, and how the tryout process works, please follow this link: U8 Advanced Development Program



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