USA Hockey

This is the time to prepare athletes for the competitive environment, continue to refine technical and ancillary skills, and develop the physical attributes. The focus is on optimizing fitness preparation and beginning to specialize in hockey. Training should be individualized to the athlete's particular needs in skill development, mental preparation, fitness and recovery. During this stage, training volume and intensity increases. Competitions become more important and the focus shifts to performance. Training emphasizes the development of position-specific technical and tactical skills under competitive conditions. Mental skills that contribute to performance are also emphasized. AGES 15-18 (FEMALE) AGES 16-18 (MALE) The focus of this stage is to further develop sports-specific skills, begin to introduce competition, and start emphasizing support training to continue development of speed, strength and stamina while maintaining flexibility. Players should consolidate sports-specific technical skills with an increased emphasis on hockey and a reduction in the number of other sports played. A continued emphasis is also placed on the development of individual and group tactics. Social and emotional considerations are addressed by placing an emphasis on team-building, group interactions and social activities. This is the period during which accelerated learning of coordination and fine motor control occurs. It is the critical stage for the acquisition of hockey skills. What is learned or not learned in this stage will have a very significant effect on the level of play that is ultimately achieved in the athlete's future. Players in this development stage should begin transferring skills and concepts from practice to games. Group interaction, team building and social activities should be emphasized. A wise balance of practices and games (at least 2.5 to 1) will promote the continued development and mastery of key hockey skills. AGES 8-11 (FEMALE) AGES 9-12 (MALE) AGES 11-15 (FEMALE) AGES 12-16 (MALE) PHOTO BY PURESTOCK LADDER OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT 3 5 4 12

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