Mite Program

[upuhrs 0]

My son who just turned 6 is wrapping up his first year of organized hockey. He played at the Atom / Rookie level and I am considering moving him up to the Mite level for next season.

My dilema is how to choose the correct organization. He currently plays for one club but they seem a bit unorganized, the facilities are okay at best and I am unsure of the coaching.

There are several clubs within about 30 minute ride for us and I have taken him to the practices of other clubs to get a feel but I am not sure what to base the decision on.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Chadd 916]

Pick the one where you think he will have the most fun. At that age, anything else shouldn't matter.

[shooter27 116]

I agree with Chadd, but I would also add to look for a club that focuses on skill development. At that age it is a lot more important for him to be working hard on basic skills (skating, passing, puck handling, shooting, etc.) than winning. I know it seems odd, but I've actually seen Mite/Squirt coaches that were so focused on winning they had their kids play a trap system and spent most of their practice time working on that system. I know its great to win, the problem was that all of the players on that team had major problems moving on as they grew up because they did not have the fundamental skills needed to continue to be successful. So focus on him having fun and developing his fundamental skills, once he builds hose skills then he can focus on all the rest of that stuff.

[Chadd 916]

I agree with Chadd, but I would also add to look for a club that focuses on skill development. At that age it is a lot more important for him to be working hard on basic skills (skating, passing, puck handling, shooting, etc.) than winning.

You're absolutely correct, I shouldn't have left that out.

[SolarWind 23]

as much as I like results I agree - for 6-7 year olds FUN is the most important part of the process

if you refer to Hockey Canada skills development pyramid - at this stage 85% of the time should be spent practicing technical skills, and 15% on individual skills (basically showing kids how to apply the technical skills they just learned in a game)

tactics, strategy & team play will get introduced at later times (8+)

I hear that in Sweden (or Finland - can't remember :)) they practice technical skills ONLY till like 12 - not sure how much fun it is though...

[RecLeagueHero 0]

Where ever the kid is going to have the most fun with a coach that's going to be focused on teaching him the fundamentals of the game. Normally I'd suggest going and watching some practices of programs you're considering. Winning games should be a non-issue, but at the same time you want a program that's actually going to teach skills.

[upuhrs 0]

Thanks for all the input. The program I am leaning towards it really focused on development, epecially skating. They have a long history of success in winning but I know that isn't the most important thing.

[shooter27 116]

At that age winning seems to be pretty much directly proportional to time being focused on skill development. The best teams are the one focused on developing kids fundamental skills. Best of luck to you.

[interpathway 9]

I agree with Chadd, but I would also add to look for a club that focuses on skill development. At that age it is a lot more important for him to be working hard on basic skills (skating, passing, puck handling, shooting, etc.) than winning.

The worst are the teams that focus on "systems" for mites. Steer clear.

[Jordan 13]

A couple of points:

Firstly, I completely agree that skill development, especially skating, is the primary goal. That being said, unless the coach that you find happens to be a skills/hockey school guy, you are likely not going to get much edge work done. Most coaches focus on doing some very basic skating drills, and a little puck carrying around some pylons. Throw in a passing drill and a little scrimmage and that's practice over.

I would want a coach that is going to make the kids learn forward and defense, no one should be locked into a position at this age. I would want a coach that encourages and demands passing from his players. There are far too many teams at this age that want one or two strong players to go end to end and do most of the scoring (easy way to win at this age), good for them, bad for everyone else's development.

If you truly want to develop your son's skating, in my experience it will have to be outside of the team. Look for a hockey school that does small groups or semi-privates that you could take hime to once per week.

So, to me I would look for a coach that I like, that seems to be good with the kids, and a group of kids that your son wants to play with. Then, I would augment with a true skating coach; it will pay off in spades!

What I would avoid is a win at all costs "hot house" program at this stage...and believe me, they exist. My son played against a team when he was only 6 years old that shortened the bench in the third period - that IMHO is a load of crap!

Good luck!

[interpathway 9]

Any shortening of the bench in a House style league is a load of crap.

[RecLeagueHero 0]

Hockey seems to bring this crap out. Total BS for house leagues at any level to shorten the bench. I also absolutely hate it when you've got a guy coaching 12 year olds and labeling kids checkers.

[upuhrs 0]

we played some teams in cross ice this year that brought mites and it was a total joke. i am still really torn in the direction to go here. i feel good about my two optionss, it is just a question of pulling the trigger and going one direction or another.

thanks again.