Mite House League

8 & Under Mites

The following are the recommendations from the USA Hockey American Development Model. These are recommendations and not rules. Based on availability of ice and number of participants these guidelines will change.

Practice Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) like running, swimming or jumping. Also introduce the ABC’s of athleticism:
ABC’s - Agility, Balance & Coordination and Speed.
Focus on flexibility during this stage.
This is the first window for speed training with an emphasis on agility, quickness and change of direction. Less than 5 seconds in duration.
Once a week, prior to or after practice, spend 30 minutes off-ice working on the Fundamental Movement Skills and the ABC’s. This can be done through games and challenging activities. Keep it fun!
Play multiple sports and engage in activities like soccer, running, gymnastics, swimming, skiing or other activities 75% of the time and play hockey the other 25%.
Group players into top 1/3, middle 1/3, beginner 1/3.
30 – 60 players each practice session
- 2-3 ice touches per week
- 50 min ice sessions
- 5 month’s = 20 weeks per season maximum
- 50 to 60 ice touches per season
Min 16 cross ice/half-ice games & 34 practices
Max 20 cross ice/half-ice games & 40 practices
9 to 13 players/team; no fulltime goalies