Separating Good Manners and the Competitive Spirit

Youth games are often dominated by the more aggressive players. This leaves some parents wondering why their child does not measure up. One simple answer is that they are just good parents who have raised a polite child.



Habits developed at home often carry on to the playing field. If kids are polite at home, they are likely to be polite on the playing field and avoid confrontations with teammates and opponents. Over time, kids will learn to differentiate their behavior while playing sports from their behavior while at the dinner table. This will lead to more aggressive play and improved performance.

Aggressive play is a behavior that comes from a competitive spirit fed by practice and a better understanding of the sport. Parents can encourage both competitiveness and good manners. It may take time for kids to fully understand the differences. Until then, parents should be patient and be proud of the fact that they are getting the big things right.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Sports Esteem for this article.

Rethinking the Idea that “Losing Only Teaches You How to Lose”

America prides itself on all forms of competition and tracking wins and losses is an ingrained part of the nation’s character. This winning attitude should be carried over into youth sports. However, without understanding what it is we are trying to win, we run the risk of losing and losing big.



Tracking wins and losses is easy when there are countable things like game outcomes. It becomes much harder when it comes to things such as fun, passion and skills progression. This sometimes leads parents and coaches to believe that winning in youth sports concerns game outcomes rather than life experiences.

The old adage that losing only teaches someone how to lose doesn’t apply only to games, it applies to all areas of life such as learning, sportsmanship, friendship, teamwork and self-discipline, to name a few. If kids lose in these areas but win in games, then they won’t have much to show for their youth sports experience. However, if they win in these areas but lose games, then their experiences will last a lifetime.

Professional sports, used as a role model for youth sports, can often produce disastrous results for a player’s long-term success. Youth sports are not a farm system for high school, college or professional sports. Youth sports are a farm team for business, politics, education, communities and families. Viewed in this manner, success and winning are all about building the best kids possible.

The chances of a child playing college or professional sports are extremely slim. So, if winning is determined by this standard, most kids will end up as losers. If winning is determined by positive life lessons, then there is an opportunity for every kid to be a winner. And, there is an opportunity for every coach and parent to make a difference.

The popular saying that “Losing makes you a loser” may be true. But, its misuse in youth sports threatens to leave parents with kids who value the appearance of winning over true personal success. Parents have a huge role to play in helping their kids learn the right lessons from youth sports and use their youth experiences to become better business, community and family leaders. Winning is an important part of youth sports. But, parents must always keep focused on what their kids are trying to win. Keeping this perspective makes it much easier to see game outcomes as interesting but irrelevant.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Sports Esteem for this article.

Growing the Game During Times of Economic Difficulties

It doesn’t take an economist to see what the next few years of overall economic downturn will do to the hockey industry. The sport is expensive to play and while beer leaguers can hang on to the same shoulder pads for a little longer, kids don’t have that luxury – they grow, pretty much from season to season.

So what’s the solution? Give it away.

Not all of it, of course, but the industry needs to create a new supply of players in North America. The rate of people taking to the ice in Wilcox, Sask., or Roseau, Minn., isn’t going to change; it’s New York City or downtown Toronto where things can grow and, fortunately, the foundation is there.

One initiative, supported by the NHL, NHLPA and major companies in the industry, is the OneGoal grassroots movement. The premise here is to get more kids playing hockey by offering them low-cost opportunities to try on the gear, get out on the ice and play. Since hockey is expensive as a sport, parents need to know if their kids actually like playing, or just think they want to play before tossing their helmet in the back of a closet with their bass guitar and judo outfit.

There will always be hockey players, no matter how rough things get out there. But if the industry wants to be savvier than they’ve been in the past, they’ll keep fostering players in major cities, even if the end result is “only” a couple more happy kids in the short-term. With so many other options available to kids, it’s the long-term love of the game that matters.

Editor's Note: Thank you to The Hockey News for this article.

USA Hockey Puts Fun Into Hockey for Young Players

Any parent can tell you that in order to keep children ages 6 to 9 engaged, it is important that an activity include an element of “fun.” Using that as a basis, USA Hockey has come up with several steps to ensure that young hockey players are having fun while learning the game of hockey. The following article outlines USA Hockey’s FUNdamentals program, which provides a guideline for hockey programs to more effectively reach and teach young players.

The objective of the FUNdamentals stage is to refine fundamental movement skills and begin to acquire basic sports skills. This is the time when a foundation is laid for future acquisition of more advanced skills.

General Description of the FUNdamentals stage:

• This is the stage where children learn physical literacy; the interrelationship between


• movement skills and sport skills.


• The skills that children acquire during this stage will benefit them when they engage in any activity regardless of their level of participation.


• By-passing the acquisition of ‘basic and specialized movement’ and ‘sport skills’


• during the FUNdamentals stage is detrimental to a person’s future participation in physical activity and sport (A, B, C’S = Agility, Balance, Coordination, Speed;


• gymnastics, swimming, running, gliding; throwing, striking, kicking).


• Basic sport skill development in this stage should be well structured, positive, and one in a FUN and social environment.


• All programs should be structured with proper progression, and monitored regularly by trained certified coaches, volunteers and parents.

USA Hockey’s key focus for this stage:

• Help ensure our participants gain physical literacy


• Develop a passion for hockey in all our children (keep kids & families in the game)


• Encourage participation in a variety of complimentary sports to help our children


• Maximize their ability to reach their genetic potential in hockey


• Develop on-ice balance, coordination, agility and speed


• Introduce basic puck control skills

Editor’s Note: For more information on Hockey FUNdamentals, please click here

How Do You Handle the Hidden Fees Associated with Travel Hockey?

Last week we asked you to provide input regarding how you handle the hidden fees associated with travel hockey. The individual who provided the best answer would win $150 worth of NHL BladeTape from BladeTape.com. Congratulations to Scott Winokur for providing the following winning response:

Scott said: Our son is now in his 6th season of travel hockey as a PeeWee Major. It’s hard to believe that it's been that long, but here we are....... again.

Being a returning travel parent has made it easier to anticipate "hidden fees" because of prior years experience. However, as a first year travel parent, it can be a little overwhelming in the beginning. My advice to new travel hockey parents is to stay very involved with your team manager prior to the onset of the season.

They are usually the ones who are responsible for making all the arrangements for tournaments, scrimmages and camps that are usually not included in your team fee. With the exception of  scrimmages, most of these activities are planned very early, usually well in advance of when league play commences.

We have had the same team manager for the past four seasons, so she is a pro at estimating the additional costs. It has been customary for our team manager to collect money at the beginning of the season to prepare for these “hidden fees.” For example, we write a check for $500, which goes into a team account (usually an escrow checking account). The manager uses these funds throughout the season to pay for the "little things" that come up.

For a parent, it's an easy way to handle extra costs up front and not leave you with sticker shock later. Occasionally, we need to put in a little more in the pot, but usually, we end up with money left over in the team account at the end of the season.

Last year we had money left over, so we decided to have an end of the year party for the kids. The bottom line is, be prepared for hidden fees before the season starts. If your team manager is on the ball, there won't be any surprises later.

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Scott Winokur for winning this week's contest. As a thank you for his answer, BladeTape.com is giving Scott  $150 worth of NHL BladeTape. Want to win this week's prize? Be sure to click here for the latest Grow the Game contest.

Houston Aeros Working To Grow the Game

The Houston Aeros are partnering with local rinks and leagues in a new “Grow The Game” initiative. This exciting new program is designed to draw new players to local rinks from the growing fan base of the Houston Aeros.

Any time a team is invited to skate with the Aeros during the National Anthem or perform during the intermission, they will be given a “sign-up” table in the concourse to provide free public skate passes to any fan that signs up. This will allow both the league and their respective rinks to collect contact information and keep new fans up-to-date with their tryouts, events, and any special offers. There has been an overwhelming response to this initiative and all parties are excited to begin and expand the program during the season. For more information on this program, click here.

The Importance of Teaching Your Player to Deal with Competition

Though competition for adults is often about more substantive matters, competition is most intense and pronounced in kids. Every day, kids compete to:

• Be the first ready for school


• Get the largest dessert


• Win at a video game


• Be the first in line


• Get the best grade


• Get the best spot in the cafeteria


• Get the attention of the opposite sex


• Get a greater share of parental attention


• Get into the best school


• Get a job (or avoid a job)


• Be selected for a team

Competition is best understood when there is a clear opportunity to win or to lose. When it comes to youth sports, competition often becomes synonymous with winning the game. Yet, this simple translation of success may often cause more problems than it solves.

A single minded pursuit of victory in a game may often translate into problems in relationships with teammates or others. Players who are only focused on winning the game may:

• Lash out at teammates


• Throw equipment


• Argue with referees or coaches


• Show moments of intense anger


• Lie or cheat


• Play unfairly

The dictionary defines the word competitive as “Showing a fighting disposition”. A fighting disposition is a great thing to have against opponents, but it may sometimes be hard to quickly turn off when dealing with teammates, referees or a sibling.

Competing is a Life Skill
Parents need to help their child understand the process of competing. Competition may show itself in many ways other than just a strong desire to win a game. Parents can focus kids on a broader understanding of competition, such as competing against past performances or winning in multiple areas.
Parents can help their kids:

• Understand what they are competing to achieve (be the best player, be a team leader, make the smartest plays)


• Understand how to apply their competitive spirit with their friends and teammates


• Understand that winning at all costs has consequences (hurt feelings, resentments, loss of respect)


• Understand that a win achieved unfairly is not a victory


• Understand that other kids may not show competitive spirit the same way


• Understand when not to be competitive at all

Winning is more than a scoreboard. It takes parents to help kids understand the differences. Like all other life skills, helping kids find balance is essential to a lifetime of success.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Sports Esteem for this article.

Improve Puck Movement and Passing Skills with Attack Triangles

In addition to stellar skating skills, developing puck movement and passing skills are important elements in bringing your game to the next level. The Attack Triangle is a new device designed to help players work these skills on and off the ice. So is it worth it? Here is our review of the Attack Triangle:

Overview: The interactive Attack Triangle from HockeyShot.com is designed to challenge players by replicating the positioning of an opponents skates and stick. The Attack Triangle forces players to develop puck movement skills based on an opposing player’s positioning.

How it Works: With the open lane between the simulated skates and extending stick, Attack Triangles force players to develop puck movement skills, stickhandling ability and an understanding of passing lanes. It can be used at home or on the ice during practices and comes an instructional sheet featuring a variety of puck handling drills.

Video: Here is a great video showing Attack Triangles in action.



Price: $79.94 (2 Attack Triangles included per package)

Top Features:

• Designed to challenge players by replicating the positioning of an opponents skates and stick


• The open lane between the simulated skates and stick forces players to develop puck movement skills and stickhandling ability


• Increases understanding of passing lanes


• Provides more interaction than cones


• Equipped with mooring pins to eliminate sliding


• Helps develop the saucer pass


• Indoor or outdoor and on and off ice use

Testimonials:
"Having a nationally televised power skating and hockey training show, ‘Hockey Academy’, and a highly sought after international power skating and hockey school in five countries, I am somewhat skeptical of new gimmicky products. The Attack Triangle, however, are an exceptional product that I use in all my schools worldwide and on my television show. It will help absolutely everyone that uses it regardless of age or skill level. My NHL clients enjoy training with them just as much as my younger players. It is the next generation of on/off ice training obstacle that is a absolute necessity for all players, coaches and parents” .
Steve Serdachny, Power Skating International

"Using the Attack Triangle is great because it really simulates game situations and the kids can better understand why they need to skate hard in the drills. Their intensity is much higher and you can see they are really working harder and becoming much more creative with it. We will be using it from now on."
Robby Glantz, International Power Skating

"Not only do I bring my own Attack Triangles to the camps I teach throughout the country, I also recommend that the programs and players I work with get them as soon as they can, because of the advantages it gives the players who use it over those who don't."
Peter Dale, USA Clinics

"The Attack Triangle was an instant hit with all of our kids. We would highly recommend this product to any ice or inline player from mite to college. Our staff of professional, college and high school players have also found the product to be both challenging and fun."
Todd Drevitch, Hockey Techniques Schools

Final Period: The Attack Triangle will help develop quick hands and great puck handling abilities. For more information on the Attack Triangle, visit www.HockeyShot.com.

Editor's Note: For a limited-time, when you use the code “teamcares" at HockeyShot.com, you will receive 10% off any purchase.

What is the Most Memorable Thing a Coach Has Taught Your Child?

Last week we asked you to provide input regarding the most memorable thing a coach has taught your child. The individual who provided the best answer would win a $50 gift certificate to HockeyShot.com. We received many great responses regarding the coaches in your lives. Congratulations to Tammy Shults for providing the following winning response:

Tammy said: My child has learned the value of helping others. When my daughter was four years old, she played one year of Mite A hockey. She was the only girl on the team and was very unsure if she liked the sport the way her older brother did. She stuck it out, learned how to skate, and developed many friendships with all those "stinky" boys.

Throughout the season her shyness held her back from playing during games and scrimmages. Several times the coach would "plant" her in front of the net so she could try to score a goal. The most amazing part was that her teammates (mostly five year old boys) willingly and selflessly passed the puck to her several times hoping to help her get her first goal. In her very last game of the season with less than three seconds remaining and after many failed attempts she scored her first and last goal.

As the coach picked her up and spun her around, I had to wipe away a tear. I knew that she had just experienced the true meaning of team. This group of little boys and my daughter were led by a coach who knew that it was important for all the kids on the team to score a goal and that "getting one" for my daughter would mean something to all of them.

Last night my son had a game at the rink where my daughter scored her goal. As we entered, her eyes sparkled and she looked up at me and said, "mom this is where I scored my goal!" I know she will never forget her first hockey goal or what it felt like to be part of a team that was led by such amazing coaches.

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Tammy Shults for winning this week's contest. As a thank you for her answer, HockeyShot.com is giving Tammy a $50 gift certificate to HockeyShot.com. Want to win this week's prize? Be sure to click here for the latest Grow the Game contest.

USA Hockey Introduces American Development Model

The American Development Model (ADM) provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations across America to help more kids play, love and excel in hockey.

Once the kids are on the ice and playing, the game itself can only take them so far. To love hockey, they first have to play it. And to excel at it, they need to play it and love it. To love the game of hockey, kids first have to play it in an environment that brings out their passion. One that encourages them. The more the love the game, the more they’ll play. And the more they play, the better they’ll get.

There need to be reasons to love the game. And if all they’re doing is playing hockey 365 days a year, there’s a good chance the game they’re supposed to love becomes more of a chore than a passion. That amount of exposure too early on can put undue stress and pressure on them and give the kids plenty of reasons not to love hockey.



Play - Playing the game is where kids learn that the game is, in its simplest form, fun. And if you can mix in age-appropriate training and practice with skills and athleticism introduction, kids will have even more fun. And to keep it fun, there should be a low priority placed on winning and losing and a high priority placed on just introducing the game to a young kid.

Love - Once a kid learns to play the game and begins to develop skills and athleticism, hockey starts to take priority among other activities. Skills become more refined, their physical and mental makeup is stronger and the friendships they developed early on continue to grow. The games become more important and hockey in general becomes a bigger part of their life.



Excel - Now that they play and love the game, a higher premium is placed on excelling at it. Tougher competition and more of a focus on mastering skills play an increased role in their development. Hockey starts to take a larger priority over other activities. But, above all, the game is still fun and the friendships that were forged back in Mites are as strong as ever.

The bottom line is that if we can give kids reasons to stick with the game, we can unlock their potential and help them excel at the game they play and love.

Editor’s Note: For more information on the American Development Model, please visit: http://www.admkids.com/

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