Initiation Program
The Saskatchewan Hockey Association along with Hockey Canada believes that hockey should be, first and foremost, fun for all participants. A big part of delivering that is ensuring the programming is age-appropriate. Cross ice/half ice hockey at the Initiation age ensures the playing surface is altered to an appropriate size for young players:
- For development, you likely won't put five-and six-year-olds on a full-size soccer pitch, or expect them to play basketball on a full-sized court with no height adjustments - hockey is no different.
- Cross ice/half ice hockey allows young players the opportunity for more puck-touches which promotes greater opportunity for skill development (puck-handling, shooting, skating, coordination) and decision-making.
- Players on cross ice/half
- ice have been shown to receive five times more passes and take six times more shots than when they are on a full-sized rink.
- Small-area games are used at all levels of the game - including Senior hockey with National Teams and in the NHL.
Information on Hockey Regina Timbit Program
SHA Grassroots Development Model
