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U7 - 2024/25
LEARN TO PLAY ... LOVE TO PLAY!
At the OMHA, we believe that players who learn the skills of the game are more inclined to enjoy playing. If they have the skills to play, they will love the game.
Hockey Canada developed the Initiation Program to make children's first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.
What is the Initiation Program?
The U7 (Initiation Program) is Hockey Canada’s premiere ‘Learn to Play’ program and is the foundation of skills development for hockey in the OMHA.
The Hockey Canada Initiation Program is designed for players 4 to 6 years old and clearly lays out how to get them started in hockey so that they will: have fun; learn skills, and develop confidence.
The program consists of four phases of instruction, designed for any entry-level hockey player, helping introduce the skills of skating, passing, puck control and shooting in a progressive, one-step-at-a-time manner with a focus on fun.
Benefits of the Initiation Program include:
· Fun for all participants
· Age appropriate skill development
· More puck touches
· Maximum ice usage
· Increased competition for all players
CROSS-ICE HOCKEY | REDUCE THE SPACE. INCREASE THE FUN!
The U7 (IP) Program provides children to learn fundamental movement and fundamental sport skills in a quality sport program tailored just for them. The program maximizes ice utilization through the use of Teaching Stations and Cross-Ice Games. More puck touches means more skill development and more fun! In the Cross-Ice environment, a player's activity increases and so does their skill set and love of the game!
· Half-ice/cross-ice hockey at the Initiation age effectively right-sizes the playing surface for young players:
· Cross-ice/half-ice hockey allows young players the opportunity for more puck-touches which promotes greater opportunity for skill-development (puck-handling, shooting, skating, coordination) and decision-making
· Players on cross-ice/half-ice have been shown to receive five times more passes and take six times more shots than when they are on a full-sized rink
4 oz. Lightweight Blue Puck
Like other sports, in addition to reducing the size of the playing surface, the OMHA also uses the 4 oz. Lightweight Blue Puck, giving players the opportunity to develop confidence in their puck control and shooting skills.
For more information, please visit Hockey Canada
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/coaching/initiation
Required Equipment
Please insure your child is properly equipped. Below is a listing of the required equipment. To insure their safety, if your child does not have all the equipment listed below they will not be permitted on the ice.
Volunteers
For the IP program to be a success it takes volunteers. We are always looking for coaches, trainers and people to help with off ice items such as equipment hand out and registration desk for the sort out sessions. If you are interested in helping, please contact the IP Convenor
At the OMHA, we believe that players who learn the skills of the game are more inclined to enjoy playing. If they have the skills to play, they will love the game.
Hockey Canada developed the Initiation Program to make children's first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence, and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.
What is the Initiation Program?
The U7 (Initiation Program) is Hockey Canada’s premiere ‘Learn to Play’ program and is the foundation of skills development for hockey in the OMHA.
The Hockey Canada Initiation Program is designed for players 4 to 6 years old and clearly lays out how to get them started in hockey so that they will: have fun; learn skills, and develop confidence.
The program consists of four phases of instruction, designed for any entry-level hockey player, helping introduce the skills of skating, passing, puck control and shooting in a progressive, one-step-at-a-time manner with a focus on fun.
Benefits of the Initiation Program include:
· Fun for all participants
· Age appropriate skill development
· More puck touches
· Maximum ice usage
· Increased competition for all players
CROSS-ICE HOCKEY | REDUCE THE SPACE. INCREASE THE FUN!
The U7 (IP) Program provides children to learn fundamental movement and fundamental sport skills in a quality sport program tailored just for them. The program maximizes ice utilization through the use of Teaching Stations and Cross-Ice Games. More puck touches means more skill development and more fun! In the Cross-Ice environment, a player's activity increases and so does their skill set and love of the game!
· Half-ice/cross-ice hockey at the Initiation age effectively right-sizes the playing surface for young players:
· Cross-ice/half-ice hockey allows young players the opportunity for more puck-touches which promotes greater opportunity for skill-development (puck-handling, shooting, skating, coordination) and decision-making
· Players on cross-ice/half-ice have been shown to receive five times more passes and take six times more shots than when they are on a full-sized rink
4 oz. Lightweight Blue Puck
Like other sports, in addition to reducing the size of the playing surface, the OMHA also uses the 4 oz. Lightweight Blue Puck, giving players the opportunity to develop confidence in their puck control and shooting skills.
For more information, please visit Hockey Canada
https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/hockey-programs/coaching/initiation
Required Equipment
Please insure your child is properly equipped. Below is a listing of the required equipment. To insure their safety, if your child does not have all the equipment listed below they will not be permitted on the ice.
- Hockey helmet and face mask (Must be CSA approved and properly fitted).
- Socks and garter belt (or undergarment with Velcro to hold socks – normally holds Protective Cup/Jill as well).
- Neck guard (BNQ certified) which is neither too loose nor too tight.
- Shin pads (proper size and length).
- Shoulder Pads (proper size to protect shoulders and upper arms area).
- Mouth guard (proper size).
- Elbow Pads (proper size).
- Skates – properly fitted and sharpened.
- Hockey Gloves (proper size – avoid short cuffs as they do not provide proper protection against slashes to the wrist area).
- Stick - properly measured while on skates – should be at chin level; end of stick (knob) must be thick enough to not fit through any facemask openings.
- Hockey Pants (proper size and length).
- Protective Cup/Jill (proper size).A Jersey will be provided by OMHA
- NOTE: Goalie Equipment is provided by the association and follow the Hockey Canada Guide Lines.
Volunteers
For the IP program to be a success it takes volunteers. We are always looking for coaches, trainers and people to help with off ice items such as equipment hand out and registration desk for the sort out sessions. If you are interested in helping, please contact the IP Convenor