1. National Player Development Framework
IHA National Player Development Director

2. Background
The IHA National Player Development Framework was created and adopted by IHA in 2013
The Framework is an adapted version of the USA Hockey American Development Model
This Framework represents the ideal model. It is understood that State Associations and Clubs may not have the resources or player numbers to implement the Framework to the letter, but they should do their best to follow it as close as possible.

3. Mission
To create a framework within which Australian ice hockey players can develop to their full potential. Get more Australian kids to play ice hockey and retain those players

4. Rationale
Align each State/Club with a Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) program
Hockey is a late developing sport and our players deserve to realise their full genetic potential
Move up the IIHF world rankings
We need ALL States and Clubs to help push us up the rankings
Higher rankings bring more resources to IHA from the IIHF

5. Long Term Athlete Development There are 5 stages
Active Start
FUNdamentals
Learn to train
Train to Train
Train to Compete
Compete to Win

6. Why LTAD? (from USA Hockey)
Specialization - Well-rounded, multisport athletes have the highest potential to achieve
Trainability - Missing optimum oportunities significantly affects a child's ability to reach his or her potential
Ten Year Rule - Refers to the '10 year - 10,000 hour rule' relating to the need of practice for three hours a day for 10 years to become proficient

7. Physical/Mental/Cognitive/Emotional Development - Focusing while remaining calm and confident is an essential skill to long-term performance
Periodization - Segmenting the calendar year into appropriate time intervals for preparation, competition, rest and recovery
System Alignment and Integration - We need a structure that is athlete-centred and looks at the individual player's development
Calendar Planning for Competition - There needs to be a better system for how to best use our kids' time on and off the ice
Continuous Improvement - The LTAD principles address core needs for all players

8. Hockey is a late developing sport

10. We are eliminating talent
Our focus has been too much on the early developing players
There are no elite pee wees
Early developers will be stronger, more coordinated and better players at a young age, but they may not be the best U18, U20 or National Team players
By following the LTADP, we will keep the late developing athletes in the sport, many of whom will be our elite players

11. Why is Hockey a late developing sport
Why is Hockey a late developing sport? Much of relates to physiology and the activation of energy systems

12. Will this work?

13. Sweden and Finland USA ADM based on the Finnish Model
They punch well above their weight
They do not cut kids and you stay with your club
No “try-outs” until age 14
Multisport athletes that become hockey players
USA ADM based on the Finnish Model
See:

14. THE FRAMEWORK

15. Stage 1
Pre-Hockey (0-6)
Active Start Stage

16. Ice and snow: Sliding, skating, skiing
Main Focus
Physical activity through play and development of physical literacy in the 4 environments
Water: Swimming
Ground: Athletics
Air: Gymnastics
Ice and snow: Sliding, skating, skiing
Encourage pay and basic fundamental movements such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, twisting, skating
Learn to skate program to develop balance, coordination and agility
No formal competition

17. Stage 2 Novice – (9 years and Under) FUNdamentals stage
National Event:
McCrae-Williamson Jamboree

18. Fundamental movement skills are a focus Agility Balance Coordination
Main Focus
Fundamental movement skills are a focus
Agility
Balance
Coordination
Flexibility
Optimal speed window 1 is reached at this stage. Training should focus on
Agility, quickness, change of direction
Other sports must be played at this stage to ensure full development of the above
25% hockey – 75% other sports
Players are grouped together by skill (large disparity of physical and cognitive development)
Groups are all on the ice together and freedom between groups

19. Cross Ice games Sport Structure Up to 60 kids per training session
2-3 X 50 min ice sessions per week
Off-ice 1 X 30 min per week (ABC’s plus speed – could be another sport or PE class)
5 month season
9-13 players per team
No full time goaltenders or position specialization – Use little nets
Practice to game ratio of 2-1
Cross Ice games
No full ice games for this age group (it is detrimental to their development). They need to learn how to work for time and space.

20. SEE THE IIHF Guide to LEARN TO PLAY
EVEN CANADA HAS NOW GONE TO CROSS ICE GAMES  
SEE THE IIHF Guide to LEARN TO PLAY

21. Check out the little nets - Dimensions in the IIHF learn to play manual

22. Stage 3a 10 and 11 years of age Learn to Train Stage McCrae-Williamson
(second group)
IHA Development Camp
Phil Ginsberg National Championship

23. Throwing, striking, kicking etc Motor coordination is important
Main Focus
Fundamental sports skills are the focus
Throwing, striking, kicking etc
Motor coordination is important
Multiple sports played
Players can be divided into top ½ and bottom ½ - but share the same ice
Decision making window starts to develop
Small area games (SAGS) are important as they teach HOCKEY SENSE

24. Importance of SAG Hockey Sense Implicit vs Explicit skill development
SAGs teach implicit skills
We want GAME players not practice players

25. Up to 50 kids per training session 3-4 X 60 min ice sessions per week
Sport Structure
Up to 50 kids per training session
3-4 X 60 min ice sessions per week
SAG training is vital
Off ice 2 X 30 min per week
Focus on athleticism and hickey skills
6 Month Season
3-1 practice to game ratio - SAGs
20-25 games
Max skaters and 1 goalie per team
No other position specialization
Introduction to formal full-ice games

26. Stage 3b 12 and 13 years of age Learn to train stage (second part)
National Events:
Ginsberg
Equal ice at Ginsberg not win at all costs (Learn to Train Stage)
Pee Wee Development Camp

27. Main Focus
Fundamental sports skills remain the focus
Throwing, striking, kicking etc
Motor coordination
Largest improvement seen here (that is why they start Development Camp!)
Multiple sports played
Players can be divided based on skill – but keep top level broad as possible
Allows more skilled greater success and pushes less skilled players
Decision making window is critical here
Small area games remain important

28. Sport Structure
 Up to 50 kids per session
ALL levels to receive same number of ice touches
Players not selected to State team need to get same number of ice touches as those selected (do not eliminate our late developing talent)
Ideal is 3-4 X 60 min ice sessions per week
SAG training is vital
Off ice 2 X 30 min per week
Focus on athleticism and hockey skills
6 Month Season
3-1 practice to game ratio
Max games
Max 15 skaters and 2 goalies per team
No other position specialization

29. How to achieve 3-4 ice sessions per week?
Share ice with another club
2 trainings same cost!
Remember, up to 50 players/session (Stations)
Public skating sessions
Work on hockey skills off ice
Shooting pucks, floorball, inline hockey

30. Stage 4 14 and 15 years old Train to train stage National Event DeFris
National Development Camps

31. Main Focus
Hockey specific skills
Second Speed window!!! – Puberty and fast twitch muscles develop!
Sprints, Plyometrics, Agility Ladders, etc are key
NO LONG DISTANCE RUNNNG
Train fast – get fast (train slow-get slow)
Hockey tactics become more of a focus (SKILL STILL MAIN FOCUS)
Fitness development and off ice training programs (speed, agility, power)
Critical point in development of the athlete (adolescents)
Focus still to remain on the athlete
Winning still secondary

32. Sport Structure (this is a challenge to achieve, but need to try)
4-5 X 80 min ice sessions per week
160 ice touches
9 Month Season (training and competition)
3-1 practice to game ratio
40-50 games
Max 16 skaters and 2 goalies per team
Position specialization now begins
NOTE: We have a critical shortage of Defensemen. Need to develop Defensemen with good offensive skills

33. Stage 5 Midget and Junior (16-20 yrs) Train to compete stage
IHA Events
Tange,
AJIHL, AWIHL
U17 Elite Camp
IIHF U18; IIHF U20

34. Main Focus
They are now Hockey specialists
Serious competition
Skills, tactics, strategy are all taught (See the IHA high performance program)
Nutrition, psychology, injury mgmt. etc are part of their development
Periodization planning is vital
Committed athlete specializing in hockey at this stage

35. Sport Structure
5-6 X 80 min ice sessions per week
Goal is 200 ice touches
10 Month Season (competition and non-competition)
2-1 practice to game ratio
40-50 games
18 skaters and 2 goalies per team

36. Stage 6 Elite Player 20+years) Compete to win stage AIHL, AWIHL
IIHF Men’s and IIHF Women’s

37. Main Focus
Hockey specialists full time
Serious competition
Skills, tactics, strategy
Nutrition, psychology, injury mgmt. etc
Periodization planning
Committed athlete specializing in hockey
ONLY NOW DOES WINNING BECOME THE FOCUS

38. Sport Structure
5-6 X 80 min ice sessions per week
200 ice touches
10 Month Season (competition and non-competition)
2-1 practice to game ratio
40-50 games
20 skaters and 2 goalies per team

39. Challenges Ice time We need to use public sessions and early mornings
Off ice can substitute for some things
Coaches NEED TO BE ORGANISED
States need to give priority to players in the program NOT adult recreational players
Costs
Always a challenge
Players heading overseas
Kills the local program
Do not always get better coaching (often they do not)

40. Implementation
All States and Clubs must implement or the program will fail
Education of coaches and parents
Rewards/consequences for implementation or failure to implement

41. Strategies Work with rinks and other clubs Work with inline clubs
Corporate backing, fundraising, marketing
LTADP assists with getting funding

42. Let’s reach our potential!

43. Resources IHA Director for Player Development
IIHF learn to play
USA Hockey ADM