u7 IDCMHA Program
The U7 IDCMHA is focused on providing fun, engaging, and positive experiences for all 4-6 year old players starting Hockey.
The following is a general outline of the program for reference. The guiding principle is to facilitate an environment for young players to excel, whilst encouraging the coaches of each team to foster fun, learning, and skill development at a pace that is appropriate/relevant for their team/group, all season long.
U7 IDENTIFICATION (ID) SKATE:
September 25, 2024 at 5:30-6:30pm @ IDC Arena for all U7 players.
The purpose of this skate is a chance to get all players and coaches together to kick-off the season. Coaches will be asked to help with basic skating instruction and coordinate games on the ice. Parents who wish to attend this first skate with your player to help are welcome.
Note: helmet, skates, gloves, stick, are required.
COACHES:
We require volunteer coaches for all teams. If interested, please visit and complete your coaching application here.
TEAM FORMATION:
Following the ID skate, IDCMHA will organize all players into equal teams and communicate team rosters to each family.
FRIEND REQUEST(S):
Under Resources (right hand side of webpage), please complete the form if you wish to submit a friend request. Please submit a maximum of 3 names and it is important to note that IDCMHA will do our best to respect these requests, but can not guarantee you will be on the same team as all players listed, but we will ensure a minimum of 1 friend requested.
*Submit before September 23rd, 2024.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT (MANDATORY):
September 26th at IDC Arena.
Times: Each family will be assigned a meeting time, but as a placeholder, please plan for one of the following times:
Group 1 @ 5:20pm,
Group 2 @ 5:40pm,
Group 3 @ 6:00pm.
Each team will be assigned a meeting time via email. This is the opportunity to meet the rest of the team and finalize volunteer roles: Coaches, Manager, Safety, Parent rep, etc. Visit here for more information. Each player is required to have a minimum of 1 parent/guardian present. If you plan to volunteer, we ask that you attend.
PRACTICES:
Coaches are encouraged to collaborate with the coaches on your assigned team, but also fellow coaches within the U7 Program and across IDCMHA.
Majority of practices will be scheduled for all U7 teams at the same time, unless game conflicts arise. The ice will be divided into sections for each team to use. Dividers are available at the Arena and we ask parents to assist coaches to put these on the ice and take these off, after each practice.
Within each team's zone, we strongly recommend the use of small area games, skill stations, and development zones. For a roster size of 10 skaters, each line should not have more than 5 skaters in line. Each line could do the same drill, but splitting the team's zone in half, or do two (2) drills, one on each side of their zone. This ensures the skaters are staying active and engaged throughout the practice.
The goal is for the skaters to be constantly moving, not standing still! Coaches are expected to coordinate and develop practice plans that consider the needs of young hockey players building skills, within their team and that during the course of the season, they can build upon past skills.
IDCMHA is committed to supporting coaches. Under Resources, we will be sharing examples and templates of drills that can be used, as well as resources for those looking to research new or alternative drill/skill ideas during the season.
GAMES:
Within Eastman Minor Hockey, games typically start in January. Teams are welcome and encouraged to schedule exhibitions beginning at a time that is appropriate for their team. It is encouraged, to use shared practice times as a way to add scrimmages amongst or own IDC teams during the year, as determined by the fellow coaches within U7.
Important note: you must contact the Registrar to book extra ice times and please coordiante with fellow teams if you wish to use a shared practice time for an exhibition game against a non-IDC team, to avoid confusion/conflicts, etc.
CROSS-ICE FORMAT:
The U7 Program uses a cross-ice layout for all practices and game situations. The cross-ice layout consists of dividing the ice surface into one-third lateral sections for games and drill stations instead of using the entire ice surface or half ice. The rationale behind this method is simple but powerful; alike other sports, long-term hockey development research has shown that reducing the size of the playing surface offers more opportunity for skill development and greater participation from all players.
The following is a general outline of the program for reference. The guiding principle is to facilitate an environment for young players to excel, whilst encouraging the coaches of each team to foster fun, learning, and skill development at a pace that is appropriate/relevant for their team/group, all season long.
U7 IDENTIFICATION (ID) SKATE:
September 25, 2024 at 5:30-6:30pm @ IDC Arena for all U7 players.
The purpose of this skate is a chance to get all players and coaches together to kick-off the season. Coaches will be asked to help with basic skating instruction and coordinate games on the ice. Parents who wish to attend this first skate with your player to help are welcome.
Note: helmet, skates, gloves, stick, are required.
COACHES:
We require volunteer coaches for all teams. If interested, please visit and complete your coaching application here.
TEAM FORMATION:
Following the ID skate, IDCMHA will organize all players into equal teams and communicate team rosters to each family.
FRIEND REQUEST(S):
Under Resources (right hand side of webpage), please complete the form if you wish to submit a friend request. Please submit a maximum of 3 names and it is important to note that IDCMHA will do our best to respect these requests, but can not guarantee you will be on the same team as all players listed, but we will ensure a minimum of 1 friend requested.
*Submit before September 23rd, 2024.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT (MANDATORY):
September 26th at IDC Arena.
Times: Each family will be assigned a meeting time, but as a placeholder, please plan for one of the following times:
Group 1 @ 5:20pm,
Group 2 @ 5:40pm,
Group 3 @ 6:00pm.
Each team will be assigned a meeting time via email. This is the opportunity to meet the rest of the team and finalize volunteer roles: Coaches, Manager, Safety, Parent rep, etc. Visit here for more information. Each player is required to have a minimum of 1 parent/guardian present. If you plan to volunteer, we ask that you attend.
PRACTICES:
Coaches are encouraged to collaborate with the coaches on your assigned team, but also fellow coaches within the U7 Program and across IDCMHA.
Majority of practices will be scheduled for all U7 teams at the same time, unless game conflicts arise. The ice will be divided into sections for each team to use. Dividers are available at the Arena and we ask parents to assist coaches to put these on the ice and take these off, after each practice.
Within each team's zone, we strongly recommend the use of small area games, skill stations, and development zones. For a roster size of 10 skaters, each line should not have more than 5 skaters in line. Each line could do the same drill, but splitting the team's zone in half, or do two (2) drills, one on each side of their zone. This ensures the skaters are staying active and engaged throughout the practice.
The goal is for the skaters to be constantly moving, not standing still! Coaches are expected to coordinate and develop practice plans that consider the needs of young hockey players building skills, within their team and that during the course of the season, they can build upon past skills.
IDCMHA is committed to supporting coaches. Under Resources, we will be sharing examples and templates of drills that can be used, as well as resources for those looking to research new or alternative drill/skill ideas during the season.
GAMES:
Within Eastman Minor Hockey, games typically start in January. Teams are welcome and encouraged to schedule exhibitions beginning at a time that is appropriate for their team. It is encouraged, to use shared practice times as a way to add scrimmages amongst or own IDC teams during the year, as determined by the fellow coaches within U7.
Important note: you must contact the Registrar to book extra ice times and please coordiante with fellow teams if you wish to use a shared practice time for an exhibition game against a non-IDC team, to avoid confusion/conflicts, etc.
CROSS-ICE FORMAT:
The U7 Program uses a cross-ice layout for all practices and game situations. The cross-ice layout consists of dividing the ice surface into one-third lateral sections for games and drill stations instead of using the entire ice surface or half ice. The rationale behind this method is simple but powerful; alike other sports, long-term hockey development research has shown that reducing the size of the playing surface offers more opportunity for skill development and greater participation from all players.
Cross-ice ice delivery is required throughout the entire U7 season in Manitoba and is strongly recommended as a phase within the early portion of the U9 hockey season. For children in the U7 program, the cross-ice format is the most realistic simulation of the game, and thus highlights its importance as we put our players in the best opportunity to reach their potential while having fun.
resources
The following is a list of heplful resources for parents and volunteers. Coachines resource available here.
Hockey Canada U7 program
Hockey Canada U7 pathway
Core Skills: U7 Fundamentals
Hockey Equipment Checklist
Hockey Equipment sizing
Hockey Canada U7 & U9 Techniques: Identify/Error Correction
Stay tuned for more resources to be posted asap!
Hockey Canada U7 program
Hockey Canada U7 pathway
Core Skills: U7 Fundamentals
Hockey Equipment Checklist
Hockey Equipment sizing
Hockey Canada U7 & U9 Techniques: Identify/Error Correction
Stay tuned for more resources to be posted asap!
Friend Request (U7 Program only)
Opportunity to submit requests to play with friends in U7 Program