Sarnia Hockey Association Cross Ice Hockey Proposal Introduction

Sarnia Hockey Association Cross Ice Hockey Proposal

Introduction �SHA is proposing to develop a Cross Ice/Half Ice program to be implemented in the 2016/17 season for the Instructional, Tyke and Novice HL programs �Cross Ice Hockey is supported by Hockey Canada and USA Hockey as a means to increase skill develop and fun in youth hockey

Why Cross Ice? �Cross Ice hockey is the result of watching young players attempt to play a game in a venue designed for adults �By making the game smaller, we allow for the players to be more engaged in the play �This creates more opportunity for puck contact, passing, shooting and team play which inevitably develops more skill

Cross Ice Trials �In the 2015/16 season we held trials with Tyke teams to view Cross Ice and Half Ice hockey. �The feedback was very positive from players, parents and coaches �The Skills Instructors agree that it is a terrific way to increase the involvement of players in the game thereby improving skills and making the game more fun

Why the need for change? �In a typical game at Tyke level only the elite players tend to control the puck. The goalies get few shots and the players don’t interact �By making the game smaller, we promote more involvement, create more offense, require more defense and dramatically increase the level of competition for all levels of players

Equipment �In order to successfully implement a Half Ice or Cross Ice Program, SHA will need to invest in the following equipment Rink Divider System (1) Smaller Goal Nets (4) Additional Goalie Equipment (4) Budget Cost for this is estimated at $12, 000. 00

Rink Divders �There are 2 types of divider systems available Hard Board System Foam Divider System

Cross Ice Analytics �Recently, USA Hockey used NHL-level analytics to track under 8 amateur hockey players during both full-ice and cross-ice competition. �The study outlined multiple benefits of a reduced playing surface known as cross-ice, that included better spacing, increased skill development and more direct competition.

Cross Ice Analytics This is a breakdown of the stats collected from a pilot program run by USA Hockey using Atom age players and NHL Analytic tools. A video of the day’s highlights is available at https: //youtu. be/CB_Ygapyl 7 c

Proposed Program Structure � The Proposal for the SHA Cross Ice Program for Instructional, Tyke and Novice age players is as follows: The Tyke HL will be run as Half Ice Hockey from September until the end of January. . . then switch to full ice for the remainder of the season The 2 nd year Instructional group will be switched to playing Half Ice Hockey at the end of January for the remainder of the season The Tier 2 Novice HL will mimic the Tyke and play Half Ice Hockey for the same portion of the season. This allows for players to transition between various levels to learn full ice rules and also allows for more use of the divider system to maximize our investment � It will be important to work with the scheduler to allow for Half Ice games at the same rink and in succession to avoid extra work by Arena staff or coaches. �

Playing Rules � SHA is proposing to play 4 on 4 hockey with 2 run time 20 min periods and a 10 min warm up for teaching and practising � The rink at Clearwater red is the best fit for the program. . . Each team will share the benches having 4 players on each surface and 4 players on each bench for a total of 16 skaters and 4 goalies � The referees will simply be used to signal goals and retrieve pucks from nets � There will only be a face-off at the start of each period � Penalties will simply be signalled to the players and coaches to “teach” and “correct” on the bench � Line changes will be done on a whistle at 3 or 5 min intervals and will be handled in “fire drill” fashion

Rink Set Up

Pros �More puck touches. . . passing/shooting �More transitional play �More starts/stops/directional changes �More Offense �More Defense �More shots/traffic. . . goalies stay engaged �More creativity �More involvement �More Fun!

Cons �No learning of traditional rules. . . off-sides, icings, face-offs �More work to set up and tear down �More cost

A Final Thought. . .