Tommi Paananen

 Peripheral exercise guidebook for ice hockey junior coaches in D, E and F-juniors.  Research theory of the development of a youth hockey players’ body and point out the needs for each age group and individual.  The theory will be supported by research in juniors of Juniori-KalPa and discussion with Tommi Rouvali and Iiro Sutinen, who are the sensitivity coaches of Juniori-KalPa.

 The author will learn more about the needs of a hockey player during the different phases of minor hockey and get a useful tool for future coaching.  The author has knowledge of strength and conditioning, but applying the information into specific age groups accordingly has to be researched from theory and the coaches.  Developing the guide further improves the ability to understand the needs for a hockey player and develop knowledge for a possible future as strength and conditioning coach in hockey.

 Juniori-KalPa is an individual organization working in cooperation with KalPa Hockey Oy that plays in the Finnish SM-League.  Juniori-KalPa was founded in 1989 and has approximately 730 juniors playing competitive hockey through G to A-juniors.  Contact persons are Tommi Rouvali and Iiro Sutinen, both are sensitivity coaches in the organization.  Kari Partanen is the teacher supervisor from KUAS and has offered the possibility of cross- sectional research in Vuokatti.

 Juniori-KalPa lacks proper material according to the sensitivity period of a junior.  Appropriate tests are to be conducted during my practical training next spring to support the theory from literature on how to implement proper exercises for each age group.

 Provide a guidebook for junior coaches as a reference for everyday planning and applying exercises.  Objective for the author is to learn how the sensitive periods differ according to age and how to adjust the training to maximize the effect of each exercise.  Also to have a reference for future coaching and learn more of the strength and conditioning in the process. S&C coaching is an option for my working life in the future.  For Juniori-KalPa there is a need for a guidebook in everyday use and the support from the two sensitivity coaches is present. Every exercise needs to develop the junior.  KUAS supports the process of the authors’ learning with resources such as the teacher supervisor.

 What are the phases of development of a junior through the ages of 8 to 14?  Do quantitative research on the peripheral exercises for the juniors and conclude how well the theory can be applied.  Final product for Juniori-KalPa: Create a guidebook for the junior coaches based on the theory from literature, research from the juniors and knowledge from the sensitivity coaches.

 Gather the theory necessary in Finnish and English before the second practical training (end of February)  Plan how to analyze the test results with Iiro and Tommi before the tests begin  Conduct the tests during the spring and analyze the results during practical training  Hand in the final product during the summer  Complete the writing of the thesis before the end of October

 Hockey Canada. (2012). Long term athlete development  Karhunen, L,. (2011). Kettle bell exercises for improving strength, mobility, balance and motion control in hockey (Kahvakuulaharjoitepankki voiman, liikkuvuuden, tasapainon ja liikehallinnan kehittämiseen jääkiekossa)  Kirsh, G. B., Harris, O., & Nolte, C. (2000). Encyclopedia of ethnicity & sports in the U. S. Westport, CT, USA: Greenwood Press.  Kraemer, W., & Fleck. S. (2005), Strength Training for Young Athletes-2nd Edition. Human Kinetics  Lee, M. (1993). Coaching Children in Sport : Principles and Practice. London, GBR: Spon Press.  Parsloe, E., & Parsloe, L. (2009). Coaching and mentoring : Practical methods to improve learning (2nd edition). London, GBR: Kogan Page Ltd.