Mites

At the Mite level, the MYH program, coaching staff and skills program focus on the the following: 

Knowledge

By the end of the season, players should know: 

1. Rules 

   • off-sides 
     

   • icing 

2. Common Infractions 

   • unsportsmanlike conduct
     

   • body checking 
     

   • cross checking 
     

   • checking from behind 
     

   • holding
     

   • high sticking
     

   • tripping 

3. Penalties 

   • minor
     

   • major 

Goal Setting 

Coaches should: 

1. Establish specific and measurable performance goals that are written, shared with players and parents, and revised on a regular basis to promote development.

   Example: To develop passing and receiving. Be able to execute five good passes and receive five passes (forehand and backhand).

2. Divide performance goals into two categories: 

   • practice 
     

   • game 

Individual Hockey Skills

Players must learn and master: 

1. Skating 

   • edge control 
     

   • ready position 
     

   • forward start 
     

   • forward stride 
     

   • control stop (two-foot snowplow, one-foot snowplow) 
     

   • backward skating 
     

   • backward stop 
     

   • control turn 
     

   • forward crossover 

2. Puck Control 

   • lateral dribble 
     

   • forward-to-backward dribble 
     

   • diagonal dribble 
     

   • attacking the triangle 
     

   • forehand shift 
     

   • accelerating with the puck 

3. Passing and Receiving 

   • forehand 
     

   • backhand 
     

   • receive (stick) 
     

   • eye contact 

4. Shooting 

   • wrist 
     

   • backhand 

5. Checking 

   • poke check 
     

   • hook check 
     

   • lift the stick check 

6. Goalkeeping 

   • basic stance 
     

   • parallel shuffle 
     

   • lateral t-glide 
     

   • forward and backward moves 
     

   • stick save 
     

   • body save 
     

   • glove save 

Team Play

Players must understand and learn: 

1. Offense 

   • positional offense 
     

   • offense in the offensive zone 
     

   • offense in the defensive zone 

2. Defense 

   • territorial defense 
     

   • one-man forechecking 
     

   • basic defensive zone coverage 

Nutrition

Players should: 

1. Understand the importance of proper hydration before, during and after all practices and games. 

2. For evening practices and games, eat a normal breakfast and lunch; Before the game or practice, eat a light snack; After the game or practice, eat a meal.

3. For early morning games and practices, eat lightly at breakfast. After practice or the game, eat a snack. 

Fitness and Training

Players should learn: 

• warm-up exercises 
  

• cool down exercises 
  

• stretching exercises 
  

• flexibility exercises 
  

• agility exercises 
  

• eye-hand coordination exercises 
  

• fun games 
  

• relays 

Injury Prevention

Players should be introduced to: 

1. Heads Up Hockey program 

2. The importance of warming up, cooling down and daily stretching

Sports Psychology

Players should be taught to: 

1. Understand the difference in being relaxed and tense. 

2. Understand that making mistakes is common and a part of sports. 

Character Development and Life Skills

Players must learn: 

• they are part of a team 
  

• to have respect for their teammates, coaches. opponents, officials and parents 
  

• team rules 
  

• self control and discipline 
  

• to always try their best 
  

• respect for authority 
  

• the importance of a strong work ethic 
  

• commitment to a team