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Ancaster Girls Bantam A 2016-17 Fun, Competitive Hockey on a School and Family Friendly Team

Dear Players (and Parents),

I would like to welcome and thank-you for your interest in the 2016-17 Ancaster Girls

Bantam A tryouts. I encourage you to embrace the challenge of tryouts and show us your

best. It is an opportunity to learn and most importantly, have fun. Nothing impresses this

coach more than a smiling, sweaty hockey player. I look forward to getting to know you

and witnessing your talents.

Coach Steve

Coach Contact Information

Steve Raitt: sraitt@gmail.com (905)741-3536 (mobile)

Coaches Bio

Steve Raitt is very excited to be coaching the Ancaster Girls Bantam A team this

season. Steve has been coaching minor hockey for 28 years in Dundas, Oakville and

Ancaster. He has coached over 40 teams, at all levels, including several years as the

CHIP coordinator in Oakville, and even a couple of stints as a goalie coach (one of

his sons is a goalie).

Steve played hockey up to the Junior level and was part of two Provincial

championship teams playing both centre and defense. He continues to play locally in two Ancaster leagues.

Steve is a computer engineer and has run his own software company successfully for over 25 years.

Tryout Schedule and Selection Process

Tuesday April 19, 2016, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Morgan Firestone B

Wednesday April 20, 2016, 6:30pm-8:00pm at Morgan Firestone B (Blue/White game)

Thursday April 21, 2016, 7:00pm-8:30pm at Spring Valley

The last tryout may be an exhibition game and we will likely have one or two practices and/or exhibition games

in the Spring once the team has been selected.

During each tryout session, players will be assessed by independent evaluators who have no direct affiliation

with the team. The players will be individually rated on all aspects of hockey. Feedback provided by the

evaluators will assist in the team selection process.

Players may be released after each tryout session including the first tryout.

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The AAGHA has implemented a policy for notification of status during rep team tryouts. At the start of tryouts,

each player will be provided with a unique identifier number that will follow them throughout tryouts. The

team has its own webpage and the list of players “by number” who are invited to the next tryout will be

posted by no later than 8:00am the morning following each tryout. If a player has tried out for other Ancaster

teams already, they will use the same identifying number.

The team pages can be found under the “Tryout” tab/menu at www.AncasterGirlsHockey.ca

Player offers may be made at any time during the tryout process. Players and parents would then be expected

to sign a letter of acceptance and to submit a $200 retainer cheque payable to “AAGHA Bantam A Rep Team”.

Commitment

We will play a lot of hockey. Please expect to be on the ice an average of 4 times per week. The league will be

providing us with 4 to 4.5 hours of ice-time per week plus any away games. Much of this ice time will be in 1.5

hour blocks.

The coaching staff will do its best to ensure that scheduling is as school and family friendly as possible.

I will do my best to avoid scheduling games over the Christmas holiday. Understanding the Senior Players will

have exams, we will make every effort to keep the schedule light during that period.

Playoffs begin in February and hopefully do not end until late March. Playoff games during March Break are a

possibility however, I will do my best to avoid or at least minimize them. If you plan on going away on March

Break, that is fine as family comes first, but you may miss games. Please let me know about any vacation plans

as early as possible.

I anticipate entering 4 or 5 tournaments during the year including the Ancaster Girls tournament October 21-

23, 2016. No more than one will be farther than a two-hour drive. Every Ancaster family is required to

contribute volunteer time towards the Ancaster Tournament.

There will be no on-ice summer hockey scheduled until after Labour Day. However, there will be several team

meetings, off-ice training sessions or team building events scheduled over the summer.

Players will be expected to follow an individual training, nutrition and rest program both during the summer

and in season.

Team players will need to be available for a team wear and hockey jersey fitting. Date TBA.

Players will be expected to wear only team wear to games. The cost of team wear is the responsibility of each

family and is in addition to the budget. If you already have an Ancaster Girls Hockey blue track suit and team

wear, there is no requirement to purchase new team wear.

Players and parents are expected to be involved in any team fundraising activities.

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T.E.A.M. Core Values

Hockey offers a great environment to teach life skills. Our goal is use the team environment to develop quality

citizens with a lifelong love of the game. We would like all players and parents to follow and respect our core

values and rules so that…

Together Everyone Achieves More

1. Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Respect. These are core values which will be

expected from EVERYONE involved with our team – coaches, players and parents. These core values

will be reinforced with players continually and expected AT ALL TIMES.

2. Fun! Hockey is a game and it is meant to be fun. Teenagers often drop out of hockey because it is “no

longer fun”. On-ice “mistakes” will be treated as learning opportunities – never punished. Players will

be challenged to try new skills in game situations and to learn from their mistakes.

3. Hard Work! Hard work and a job well done are both worth celebrating. Everyone on the team will

work hard and be challenged both mentally and physically. High energy, well planned practices will

drive development. Ideally, I’d like to see every player leave the ice after every game and practice both

smiling and sweaty.

4. Inclusive Family Friendly Environment. In order to have a successful program, we need lots of help.

Everyone will be encouraged to participate and input will be appreciated from all.

Team Staff

It is my hope this season to include as many additional coaches and parents who have a relationship to the

team on staff. I will respect and value their contribution to the team. Please let me know asap if you would

like to assist in any way. The following roles need to be filled:

• Assistant Coaches (2 or 3) – must be certified.

• Female Trainers (2) – must be certified

• Team Manager

• Treasurer

• Tournament coordinator

• Parent Liaison

• Time-keepers

• Game day statistics

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Team Rules

Player Conduct and Expectations

During all Team functions players are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Players will

follow Hockey Canada's Fair Play Code for Players (copy enclosed). Players are also expected to follow the

AAGHA Constitution and By-laws Code of Conduct (see Team Agreement). Players will be following the Ontario

Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) rules along with AAGHA constitution and by-laws. Players are expected

to be able to dress themselves in the team dressing room with the exception of skate tying and goalie pads.

Coaching staff will request time for pre-game/practice chalk talks and also about five minutes for post-

game/practice chalk talks with all players. During these times players are asked to be respectful and quietly

listen. Players are also not permitted to start undressing until male coaches leave the dressing room as per the

dressing room policy. Helmets, neck guards and gloves are the only exception. After each practice and game,

the players are expected to leave a clean dressing room. All tape, drink containers, wrappers etc. are to be put

into a garbage container. NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES are permitted to be used inside the dressing room.

Notification of Absence: This is rep hockey and we are looking for players to be committed to this team.

Excellent attendance is essential for individual development and more importantly team development. This

does not mean Team functions cannot be missed. Parent’s discretion will be respected. Please notify coaching

staff of absences as far in advance as possible. This also allows the coaches to be properly prepared. Repetitive

absences will be closely monitored and scrutinized. Please remember other players were cut from this team so

be committed to all functions of the Team.

Arrival Time Games & Practices: Be diligent in your preparation. For games we are asking players to arrive 1

hour prior to game time. Arrival times for tournament games are 1 hour prior to game time as per most

tournament rules. For practices we are asking players to arrive 30 minutes prior to practice time. Late arrivals

cause disruptions to the entire Team. Please notify coaching staff if players are going to be late. Early arrival

also allows time for the girls to build their friendships with dressing room banter. Coaching staff will also

require this time for pre-game/practice warm ups, chalk talks and also about five minutes for post-

game/practice talks. Repetitiveness as a late arrival will be closely monitored and scrutinized.

Parent Conduct and Expectations

During all Team functions a parent, guardian or designate must be present at all times. Parents, guardians or

designates are expected to follow the Hockey Canada's Fair Play Code for Parents (copy enclosed). Parents,

guardians or designates are also expected to follow the AAGHA Constitution By-laws Code of Conduct (see

Team Agreement). Please be a positive motivator for all players. Negativity of any kind is not wanted. Player’s

dressing room, benches and penalty box areas are off limits to parents during team activities unless the coach

or trainer staff has requested your assistance. Please allow the Coach staff to do their jobs without unwanted

interference or distractions. Parents are asked to observe the 24-hour rule when wanting to address the

Coaches or Parent Liaison over any type of dispute. This time allows time for better thought process, which can

help resolve issues.

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Coaching Philosophy

An Avalanche "A"ccelerates!

av·a·lanche ( /avəˌlan(t)SH/ )

Definition: noun

1. a mass of snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside.

2. a sudden arrival or occurrence of something in overwhelming quantities.

From a development standpoint, EVERYTHING we do this season will about doing things FASTER. By Bantam

age, most girls understand the basics of the game and have developed some level of proficiency in skating,

passing, shooting and team play. Now, we will break down every skill and tactic (including many that the

players already think they know) and ask the question:

"How can we do this FASTER?"

• How can I skate faster? Stickhandle faster? Pass faster? Shoot faster?

• How can we think faster?

• How can we attack faster? Defend faster? Transition faster?

• Get out of our zone faster? Get through the speed zone (neutral zone) faster?

• Get to their net faster? Get the puck in the net faster?

• For goalies: How can I move faster? React faster? Anticipate better? Help my team be faster?

I had the very good fortune this season to spend five days on the road with the Winnipeg Jets (my nephew is

on the team). I was around the players, coaches and staff for the full five days. On the planes and buses. At

meals. In the dressing room. At games, practices and pre-game skates. At the hotel. Talking all the time with

players, coaches, trainers, team staff and even the owner of the team. Needless to say, it was an amazing

experience.

The one thing that stood out to me was the entire teams' commitment to what they call "Becoming a Pro". At

its core, the idea of "Becoming a Pro" is all about doing things faster. They train individually to become faster

and more powerful. They repetitively practice skills and team tactics so they can execute them faster. They

adhere to detailed rituals of rest, practice, off-ice training and nutrition all to maximize their potential to

execute their game plan at peak speed. Even their practices are fast, rarely exceeding 40 minutes in length,

and often as short as just 20 minutes. Our team will emulate this development model.

In order to get faster in all aspects of the game, skills and tactics will be taught through a basic progression of

three phases (AAA) with corresponding drills at each phase:

1. Acquire - The basic concepts are explained to the player. Players will be asked to demonstrate (at slow

speed) and explain the components of each skill to ensure that they have acquired the skill.

2. Accelerate - How can we execute this skill FASTER? Reinforce the skill using overspeed drills so that it can be

executed without conscious thought.

3. Apply – Players will apply this skill in simulated game situations and in real games at maximum speed.

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Individual/Team Development Program

Developing the Tactics used by NHL Pros

Bantam aged players now know how to execute most of the core skills required to play hockey. In order to

challenge our players (and keep things interesting) we will be emphasizing tactical player development. Tactics

are the application of individual skills to game situations. It is this tactical application of individual skills which

differentiates NHL pros and top level junior and college players.

Many of these tactics are based on easy to learn “tricks” that most hockey players never are taught. As an

example, take one fundamental skill -- the wrist shot. Most Bantam aged players have a reasonably good wrist

shot. Yet, other than through trial and error in game situations, most players never learn the tactics required

to turn a good wrist shot into an effective scoring weapon. These tactics might include the best ways to keep

your stick free from the defender, changing your shooting angle prior to a shot, improving your release speed,

positioning and timing for a one-time shot, etc.

Nobody ever said that Wayne Gretzky was the best skater or shooter. However, his application of individual

tactics particularly in puck protection and passing made him the best forward to ever play the game. Similarly,

Mario Lemieux’s tactical application of deking and shooting skills made him nearly unstoppable on a

breakaway (search “Mario Lemieux breakaway” on YouTube to see just how silly he made defenders look).

Nicolas Lidstrom was never been known as a hitter, but his tactical defensive skills (stick positioning, skate

positioning, gap control, angling, etc.) made him the most reliable defender ever.

By emphasizing individual tactics during practices we will reinforce the core skills and at the same time make

them much more effective in game situations. Learning and practicing tactics is best done in competitive

situations which will often take the form of individual instruction, small games, 1-on-1 or small-area

challenges. As a result, we hope to see the added benefit of practices that are both challenging (mentally and

physically) and fun (everyone loves to compete).

We will build on the skills progressions recommended by Hockey Canada and U.S.A Hockey. These tactics and

the underlying skills will form the core curriculum of our team development program. How to p

Explosive Skating Speed

Being able to perform hockey skills at top speed is essential to individual and team success. Advanced skating

technique training will be a core component of every practice. Doing every drill at top speed (with correct

form) will be continually emphasized. On-ice video analysis will be periodically used to provide proper

feedback on correct skating technique. Techniques and drills will be taught and practiced at every practice

session to dramatically improve the skating ability of every player:

• Explosive acceleration and power

• Agility and lateral mobility

• Forward and backward stride (develop a longer and more efficient stride)

• Increasing foot speed

• Dynamic balance

• Develop first step speed, quickness and power

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• Advanced turning, stopping and edge work

Relentless Checking

Winning puck battles is critical to sound defensive hockey and an essential first step in creating offense. It is

essential that we teach players how to win those battles safely and effectively. Tenacious checking can also be

a ton of fun. The most effective checkers in the NHL are not usually known for huge body checks (think Drew

Doughty and Pavel Datsyuk), but rather for proper positioning, tenacious puck pursuit and skill in separating

opponents from the puck. This translates very well to girls hockey.

• Skating drills for checking (mirroring, lateral agility, gap control, steering and angling, containing

opponents, pivoting)

• Individual positioning for checking (the critical second, gap control, taking away time and space,

deflecting, steering, angling, pressure vs. contain, pinching)

• Stick checks and steals (stick extension, lift, poke, press, pry, tap, hook, sweep, dive)

• Opponent control with stick (stick between legs, leg press, butt lift, hip press, body block, roll and pin,

wrap)

• Contact confidence and safety (head up – don’t duck, danger zone, protecting oneself at all times…

particularly in the danger zone, avoiding checks, absorbing the hit, bracing against boards)

• Team checking (picks and screens, team positioning)

Puck Control

When we get the puck, we want to keep it! Controlling and protecting the puck is an essential individual skill

(stickhandling) and team skill (passing and moving to space).

• Winning one-on-one battles

• Buying time and creating space in order to make a play

• Puck protection

• Controlling the play with advanced stickhandling and playmaking

• Becoming a much better passer and pass receiver

• Continual movement (the critical second, give and go tactics)

• Breakout tactics (escape, rim, wheel, fast up, stretch, winger pass, center pass, D-to-D, reverse)

• Knowing where teammates are likely to be in advance or without looking

Scoring

Everyone loves to score! Practices will include regular visits to “Finishing School”.

• Shooting skills (wrist, snap, slap, flip, roof, backhand, pull-in, shooting in stride, walking the line)

• Understanding angles. Goals are often the result of minor discrepancies between the angles take by

the attacking player and the angles misplayed by the goaltender. Using and changing attacking angles.

• Where and when to shoot, deke and pass (62% of breakaway goals are scored by deking)

• Getting to the best scoring positions

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• Planned fakes and dekes (front fake, double front fake, pull-in, push-out, stop and slide, stick fake, side

fake (Gretzky), Jagr move etc.)

• 1-on-1 tactics, 2-on-2 tactics, Odd man tactics (2-on-1, 3-on-1, 3-on-2)

Goaltending

Goalie development will be tightly integrated into all of our practices. Goalies are expected to continually

challenge shooters during practice and make it difficult for our team to score in all situations.

• Core skills (stance, butterfly, T-push, Parallel shuffle, C-cut, Full-recovery, On-ice recovery)

• Speed development

• Mirror work (goalies will challenge each other)

• Agility (goalies will be expected to participate in agility based skating drills)

• Professional style pattern work (think Patrick Roy warmup)

• Angles

• Puck handling, passing and shooting

• Communication (Goalie communications is paramount particularly in helping on defensemen make

correct decisions on dump-ins)

Team Systems

Hockey becomes a much simpler game when team systems are understood and used by everyone on the

team. Based on a strong foundation of individual skill and tactics, team systems allow the team as a whole to

perform at its best. Early in the season, we will be using basic systems which will allow us to concentrate on

our effort on the underlying tactics necessary to play more advanced and aggressive systems. We will

introduce more advanced approaches as the season progresses.

• Communications

• Defensive coverage

• Defensive zone (5 card)

• Offensive zone (pressure, channeling, pinching, prevent)

• Speed zone (Neutral zone)

• Fast transitions to offense (counter attacks)

• Line changes (pro-style, dump-in tactics, maintaining puck control)

• Faceoffs

• Power play

• Penalty kill

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Projected Costs and Budget (Proposed) Please make cheques payable to “AAGHA Bantam A Rep Team”. All team expenses and revenue will be

accurately accounted. Statements will be available for team members upon request. All surplus monies at the

conclusion of the hockey season will be divided accordingly between player’s families leaving an account

balance of $0.00.

Every player must also pay the AAGHA registration fee directly to the association (currently projected at $510)

as well as the individual cost of any personal team wear.

Revenues: Player Fees (1,600.00 / player x 17 players) $27,200.00 (Payable in installments with total due by October 1. $200 retainer will be applied to this.)

Sponsorship and fundraising

$ 3,400.00

(Extra revenue may reduce player fees.)

Total Revenues

$30,600.00

Expenses

Rep Fees $12,000.00 Tournaments (5) $ 6,000.00 Provincials $ 800.00 Extra Ice / Power Skating + Instruction $ 3,700.00 Goalie Training $ 1,500.00 Christmas Party/ Gifts $ 500.00 Year End Party / Gifts $ 800.00 Bank Fees $ 100.00 Exhibition Games / Refs $ 1,500.00 Miscellaneous $ 200.00 Off Ice Training Team Equipment and Gear

$ 1,500.00 $ 2,000.00

Total Expenses

$30,600.00

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Fair Play Code Fair Play Code Fair Play Code Fair Play Code

... for PARENTS

I will not force my child to participate in hockey.

I will remember that my child plays hockey for his or her enjoyment, not mine.

I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to

hostility or violence.

I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that my child will

never feel defeated by the outcome of a game / event.

I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly

and trying hard.

I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.

I will remember that children learn best by example. I will applaud good plays /

performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.

I will never question the official’s judgement or honesty in public.

I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s hockey

activities.

I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to

provide hockey experiences for my child.

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Fair Play CodeFair Play CodeFair Play CodeFair Play Code ... for PLAYERS

I will play hockey because I want to, not just because others or coaches want me to.

I will play by the rules of hockey, and in the spirit of the game.

I will respect my opponents.

I will control my temper – fighting and mouthing off can spoil the activity for everyone.

I will do my best to be a true team player.

I will remember that winning isn’t everything that having fun, improving skills, making

friends and doing my best are also important.

I will acknowledge all good plays / performances – those of my team and of my

opponents.

I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their

decisions and show them respect.