We put the FUN in fundamentals.  The Mite/U8 phase of development is critical for young athletes to learn and build simple sports skills and overall motor skills.  These skills include hand-eye coordination, balance, agility, and speed.  These fundamentals are specifically developed  by structuring games, activities, and training to focus on quality repetitions and consistent feedback.  Skipping over the specialized skill development that occurs during this stage can have a detrimental effect on the child’s future athletic development. 

During this stage of development young athletes begin to learn how to train.  Speed, agility and coordination are still developing very rapidly at this time.  Core strength can begin to be introduced.  It is essential for athletes to learn the importance of physical conditioning, hockey skills, and the development of proper decision making in simple game situations.  We develop decision making by including complementary sports off the ice.  There can be a significant difference in every individual’s development during this stage, so we tailor each individual athlete's training to his or her needs.

We continue our focus on developing the understanding of what training is, and the importance of developing overall hockey skills.  This is a key phase to learning good technique through quality training.  Good technique will be the foundation for future strength and skill development.  Core strength can begin to be mastered during this developmental stage.  Athletes are also developing a greater mental capacity to execute good decision-making skills in more complex game situations.   Once again all programs are tailored to specific needs of each athlete, due to the wide variances in physical development.

At this stage of development it is critical for athletes to develop many different aspects of fitness.  We begin to see greater potential for muscle development, and a greater capacity to handle shorter bursts of high intensity training required for the game of hockey.  As with the earlier stages of development it is crucial to continue the development of sport specific skills.  We also begin to develop decision making in realistic game scenarios under increased pressure.

This stage of development is where athletes focus on and learn how to compete.  Programs are developed with a high level of commitment required to be a high-end athlete.  We use competition to reinforce skills being learned, and the dedication needed to have success in the game of hockey.  We also continue to see the capacity for great gains in strength and overall fitness level.  Athletes at this stage should have the ability to make good decisions in game scenarios with game-like pressure.  We can now begin to teach tactical game strategies that put every athlete in the best position for success as possible.