Squirt House

10 & Under Squirts

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.

Optimal window for motor coordination
Learning Fundamental Sports Skills like: throwing, striking, kicking, dribbling, etc.
Twice a week, prior to practice, spend 30 minutes off-ice working on the Fundamental Movement Skills
- Focus on athleticism (ABC’s) and hockey skills
Practicing small area games will lead to better decision-making skills
Divide players into two halves: top ½, bottom ½
Play multiple sports and engage in activities like soccer, running, gymnastics, swimming, skiing or other activities 50% of the time, engage in fitness through other sports 25% of the time and play hockey the other 25%.
30 – 45 players per practice session
- 3 - 4 ice touches per week
- 60 min ice sessions
- 6 - 7 month training and competition calendar = 24 – 28 weeks
- 95 to 100 ice touches (70/30 practice to game ratio)
75 to 80 practices 20 to 25 games intro of formal full-ice games
- 10-12 skaters & 1 goalie per team
- Increases puck touches / participation/ development