National Player Development Framework IHA National Player Development

National Player Development Framework IHA National Player Development Director development@iha. org. au

Background • The IHA National Player Development Framework was created and adopted by IHA in 2013 • The Framework is an adapted version of the USA Hockey American Development Model • This Framework represents the ideal model. It is understood that State Associations and Clubs may not have the resources or player numbers to implement the Framework to the letter, but they should do their best to follow it as close as possible.

Mission To create a framework within which Australian ice hockey players can develop to their full potential. Get more Australian kids to play ice hockey and retain those players

Rationale • Align each State/Club with a Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) program – Hockey is a late developing sport and our players deserve to realise their full genetic potential • Move up the IIHF world rankings – We need ALL States and Clubs to help push us up the rankings – Higher rankings bring more resources to IHA from the IIHF

Long Term Athlete Development There are 5 stages 1. Active Start 2. FUNdamentals 3. Learn to train 4. Train to Train 5. Train to Compete 6. Compete to Win

Why LTAD? (from USA Hockey) • Specialization - Well-rounded, multisport athletes have the highest potential to achieve • Trainability - Missing optimum oportunities significantly affects a child's ability to reach his or her potential • Ten Year Rule - Refers to the '10 year - 10, 000 hour rule' relating to the need of practice for three hours a day for 10 years to become proficient

• Physical/Mental/Cognitive/Emotional Development - Focusing while remaining calm and confident is an essential skill to long-term performance • Periodization - Segmenting the calendar year into appropriate time intervals for preparation, competition, rest and recovery • System Alignment and Integration - We need a structure that is athlete-centred and looks at the individual player's development • Calendar Planning for Competition - There needs to be a better system for how to best use our kids' time on and off the ice • Continuous Improvement - The LTAD principles address core needs for all players

Hockey is a late developing sport

We are eliminating talent • Our focus has been too much on the early developing players – There are no elite pee wees • Early developers will be stronger, more coordinated and better players at a young age, but they may not be the best U 18, U 20 or National Team players • By following the LTADP, we will keep the late developing athletes in the sport, many of whom will be our elite players

Why is Hockey a late developing sport? Much of relates to physiology and the activation of energy systems

Will this work?

Sweden and Finland • • They punch well above their weight They do not cut kids and you stay with your club No “try-outs” until age 14 Multisport athletes that become hockey players • USA ADM based on the Finnish Model • See: http: //www. theplayerstribune. com/victor-hedmanlightning-sweden-hockey/

THE FRAMEWORK

Stage 1 • Pre-Hockey (0 -6) • Active Start Stage

Main Focus Physical activity through play and development of physical literacy in the 4 environments Water: Swimming Ground: Athletics Air: Gymnastics Ice and snow: Sliding, skating, skiing Encourage pay and basic fundamental movements such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, twisting, skating Learn to skate program to develop balance, coordination and agility No formal competition

Stage 2 • Novice – (9 years and Under) • FUNdamentals stage • National Event: – Mc. Crae-Williamson Jamboree

Main Focus Fundamental movement skills are a focus Agility Balance Coordination Flexibility Optimal speed window 1 is reached at this stage. Training should focus on Agility, quickness, change of direction Other sports must be played at this stage to ensure full development of the above 25% hockey – 75% other sports Players are grouped together by skill (large disparity of physical and cognitive development) Groups are all on the ice together and freedom between groups

Sport Structure Up to 60 kids per training session 2 -3 X 50 min ice sessions per week Off-ice 1 X 30 min per week (ABC’s plus speed – could be another sport or PE class) 5 month season 9 -13 players per team No full time goaltenders or position specialization – Use little nets Practice to game ratio of 2 -1 Cross Ice games No full ice games for this age group (it is detrimental to their development). They need to learn how to work for time and space.

EVEN CANADA HAS NOW GONE TO CROSS ICE GAMES https: //www. sha. sk. ca/players/grassroots/cross-ice-jamboree SEE THE IIHF Guide to LEARN TO PLAY http: //www. iihf. com/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Sport/Coach ing_manuals/1_LTP_Practice_Manual_Introduction. pdf

Check out the little nets - Dimensions in the IIHF learn to play manual

Stage 3 a • 10 and 11 years of age • Learn to Train Stage • Mc. Crae-Williamson – (second group) • IHA Development Camp • Phil Ginsberg National Championship

Main Focus Fundamental sports skills are the focus Throwing, striking, kicking etc Motor coordination is important Multiple sports played Players can be divided into top ½ and bottom ½ - but share the same ice Decision making window starts to develop Small area games (SAGS) are important as they teach HOCKEY SENSE

Importance of SAG • Hockey Sense • Implicit vs Explicit skill development – SAGs teach implicit skills – We want GAME players not practice players

Sport Structure Up to 50 kids per training session 3 -4 X 60 min ice sessions per week SAG training is vital Off ice 2 X 30 min per week Focus on athleticism and hickey skills 6 Month Season 3 -1 practice to game ratio - SAGs 20 -25 games Max 10 -12 skaters and 1 goalie per team No other position specialization Introduction to formal full-ice games

Stage 3 b • 12 and 13 years of age • Learn to train stage (second part) • National Events: – Ginsberg • Equal ice at Ginsberg not win at all costs (Learn to Train Stage) – Pee Wee Development Camp

Main Focus Fundamental sports skills remain the focus Throwing, striking, kicking etc Motor coordination Largest improvement seen here (that is why they start Development Camp!) Multiple sports played Players can be divided based on skill – but keep top level broad as possible Allows more skilled greater success and pushes less skilled players Decision making window is critical here Small area games remain important

Sport Structure Up to 50 kids per session ALL levels to receive same number of ice touches • Players not selected to State team need to get same number of ice touches as those selected (do not eliminate our late developing talent) Ideal is 3 -4 X 60 min ice sessions per week SAG training is vital Off ice 2 X 30 min per week Focus on athleticism and hockey skills 6 Month Season 3 -1 practice to game ratio Max 30 -35 games Max 15 skaters and 2 goalies per team No other position specialization

How to achieve 3 -4 ice sessions per week? • Share ice with another club – 2 trainings same cost! – Remember, up to 50 players/session (Stations) • Public skating sessions • Work on hockey skills off ice – Shooting pucks, floorball, inline hockey

Stage 4 • 14 and 15 years old • Train to train stage • National Event – De. Fris – National Development Camps

Main Focus Hockey specific skills Second Speed window!!! – Puberty and fast twitch muscles develop! Sprints, Plyometrics, Agility Ladders, etc are key NO LONG DISTANCE RUNNNG Train fast – get fast (train slow-get slow) Hockey tactics become more of a focus (SKILL STILL MAIN FOCUS) Fitness development and off ice training programs (speed, agility, power) Critical point in development of the athlete (adolescents) Focus still to remain on the athlete Winning still secondary

Sport Structure (this is a challenge to achieve, but need to try) 4 -5 X 80 min ice sessions per week 160 ice touches 9 Month Season (training and competition) 3 -1 practice to game ratio 40 -50 games Max 16 skaters and 2 goalies per team Position specialization now begins NOTE: We have a critical shortage of Defensemen. Need to develop Defensemen with good offensive skills

Stage 5 • Midget and Junior (16 -20 yrs) • Train to compete stage • IHA Events – Tange, – AJIHL, AWIHL – U 17 Elite Camp • IIHF U 18; IIHF U 20

Main Focus They are now Hockey specialists Serious competition Skills, tactics, strategy are all taught (See the IHA high performance program) Nutrition, psychology, injury mgmt. etc are part of their development Periodization planning is vital Committed athlete specializing in hockey at this stage

Sport Structure 5 -6 X 80 min ice sessions per week Goal is 200 ice touches 10 Month Season (competition and non-competition) 2 -1 practice to game ratio 40 -50 games 18 skaters and 2 goalies per team

Stage 6 • Elite Player 20+years) • Compete to win stage • AIHL, AWIHL • IIHF Men’s and IIHF Women’s

Main Focus Hockey specialists full time Serious competition Skills, tactics, strategy Nutrition, psychology, injury mgmt. etc Periodization planning Committed athlete specializing in hockey ONLY NOW DOES WINNING BECOME THE FOCUS

Sport Structure 5 -6 X 80 min ice sessions per week 200 ice touches 10 Month Season (competition and non-competition) 2 -1 practice to game ratio 40 -50 games 20 skaters and 2 goalies per team

Challenges • Ice time – We need to use public sessions and early mornings – Off ice can substitute for some things – Coaches NEED TO BE ORGANISED – States need to give priority to players in the program NOT adult recreational players • Costs – Always a challenge • Players heading overseas – Kills the local program – Do not always get better coaching (often they do not)

Implementation • All States and Clubs must implement or the program will fail • Education of coaches and parents • Rewards/consequences for implementation or failure to implement

Strategies • Work with rinks and other clubs • Work with inline clubs • Corporate backing, fundraising, marketing – LTADP assists with getting funding

Let’s reach our potential!

Resources • IHA Director for Player Development – development@iha. org. au • IIHF learn to play http: //www. iihf. com/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Sport/Coaching_manuals/1_LTP _Practice_Manual_Introduction. pdf • USA Hockey ADM – http: //www. admkids. com/