1. Page 1 CROSS-ICE HOCKEY PLAN

2. Page 2 PLAYING CROSS-ICE GAMES WHY AND HOW

3. Page 3 Cross-Ice Hockey Why? Better development More touches/ more involved More players per ice session Coaches able to be more involved in teaching Why do we ask our younger less experienced players to play with the same set-up as our elite players? Every other sport adjusts to the age of the player. You do not see young Baseball players playing in Fenway!

4. Page 4 How? 3v3, 4v4, 5v5 ? Cross-ice or half ice? How do we change? What do we do with the neutral zone? Refs? Penalties? The Score? “Versus a real game”

5. Page 5 The Set-up 4v4 is best but adjust based on the number of players.

6. Page 6 The Set-up 1-3 play to rest ratio is perfect. Three lines of 3, 4 or 5. Based on the number of players on the ice.

7. Page 7 The Set-up Cross-ice is better as you can use three zones, but do not be afraid to mix it up, a different look once in awhile is a good thing.

8. Page 8 The Set-up A shift should be anywhere from 45 to 65 seconds, again changing this up is good for the players it forces them to adjust.

9. Page 9 The Set-up If you are not using center ice for a third game then let the groups that are not playing move around or play with a puck or have them work on a skill. If you go with the 1-3 ratio then you have one group playing, one resting and one working on a skill. At the cost of ice use all of it appropriately!

10. Page 10 The Set-up Use an older player to drop the puck and keep some order on the ice. This helps develop young officials and helps to set-up role models within your organization.

11. Page 11 The Set-up If a player takes a bad penalty send him off for the shift and have his group go short handed for the shift. This is where the coaches step in to explain the standard of play.

12. Page 12 The Set-up Try to match up the best players vs. the best players have a 1, 2 and 3 line based on talent level. If there is a player that is way ahead do not be afraid to have his team go 1 man less for his shift.

13. Page 13 The Set-up Goalies 8 & under no full time goalies. Rotate all the players through the net. Older teams try to have only 1 goalie per team, if there are more, have the goaltenders involved in both the games and the skills at center ice. Rotate them in and out every 8-10 minutes.

14. Page 14 The Set-up DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE SCORE! THE KIDS AND PARENTS WILL KNOW!

15. Page 15 The sell! You will get adults who will say this is not real hockey! What about off-sides, face-offs, icings, systems. They want the score, they want control of the kids game! IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!

16. Page 16 How It Benefits The players will have much more fun and success. It has been proven that more touches and repetitions leads to better development and confidence. Better use of ice time = more ice time. Keeps parents and coaches in a better frame of mind, not focused on scores or the calls or no calls rather the development of their young hockey player. Keeps kids competing at a high level, we are currently developing lazy generations of hockey players who are not engaged in the game.

17. Page 17 Cross-Ice Practice and Games

18. Page 18 only There really is not a right or wrong way. The actual move from full-ice to small area or cross-ice hockey is the only way to go. Be creative and do not be afraid of change or putting your players in an environment that is fun, challenging and most importantly creates passion to play the game!

19. Page 19 Questions? rogerg@usahockey.org