USA Hockey

12 An American Hockey Parent Handbook PHOTOS BY HHOF-IIHF IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES The objective of this stage is to transfer from the training environment to a competitive environment. Athletes must consolidate technical skills and maintain ancillary skills and underlying physical capabilities. Training volume remains high while intensity increases with the importance of competitions. The training is usually 10+ months of the year, disciplined and hockey-specific. Athletes will usually be required to move away from home for training and competition environments that fit this stage of development. AGES 19-21 (FEMALE) AGES 19-23 (MALE) train TO compete AGES 19+ The focus of this stage is the stabilization of performance-on-demand characteristics and achieving excellence at the highest levels of performance, e.g., the National Hockey League, the Olympics, the World Championship. Only a very small minority will achieve this stage. It is important to build a winning strategy with these athletes and to individualize training and recovery to prevent over-training. train TO win skills and underlying physical capabilities. Training volume remains high while intensity increases with the importance of competitions. The training is usually 10+ months of the year, disciplined and hockey-specific. Athletes will usually be required to move away from home for training and competition environments that fit this stage of development. and achieving excellence at the highest levels of performance, e.g., the National Hockey League, the Olympics, the World Championship. Only a very small minority will achieve this The objective of this stage is to transfer from the training environment to a competitive environment. Athletes must consolidate technical skills and maintain ancillary AGES 19-21 (FEMALE) AGES 19-23 (MALE)

• Cover