by jim mcphee posted 03/01/2009 What is Cross Ice Hockey?
A program designed to further develop hockey skills and competitive team play for players ages 8 and under. Team sizes are smaller which means there will be a smaller coach-to-player ratio. Coaches can focus on practicing skating skills, puck control, stick-handling, positioning, passing and shooting.
Cross Ice Hockey is designed to accelerate the development of an individual player's core ice hockey skills (skating, stick handling, passing and shooting) in a team oriented setting while keeping a fun and positive atmosphere on the ice.
How does it work?
Each week will consist of an hour-long organized game. The program will run for 20 weeks from the fall to spring. Coaches will coach and teach players during the game. The emphasis will be on FUN for all players while developing players’ core hockey skills. The game is played ACROSS the width of one zone. It is played 3 on 3 plus goaltenders as opposed to 6 players a side. Each coach will also be responsible for officiating the games. When goals are scored the puck remains in the net. The opposing coach throws a puck yelling “new puck!” into the center of the ice and play resumes immediately. If the puck leaves the playing area (from deflections or shot over the boards) a coach immediately throws another puck into the playing area yelling “new puck!” and play resumes. The coach does not direct the puck to either team under any circumstances. The initial start of the game begins in the same fashion.
Is Cross Ice Hockey New?
Cross Ice Hockey has been around for years in Europe, Canada and the Northern United States. The rapid pace and repetition allows skills to develop at a much faster pace as players are skating a length of ice that is 85 feet as opposed to 200 feet.
Why should my son/daughter play Cross Ice Hockey?
USA Hockey has mandated that beginning with the 2005-06 season, all teams ages 8 and under are required to run a cross-ice program. The reasoning behind it is simple. Playing in smaller areas allows each player to experience:
MORE touches of the puck per player
MORE shooting, passing and scoring opportunities
MORE quick changes in direction, improving skating skills
MORE action for goaltenders due to increased shooting
LESS stopping of play allowing for MORE game action and fun
