REMODELING OUR ON ICE PROGRAMS
Modifications / Restrictions to Our On Ice Curriculums & Teaching Methods
Updated: Saturday August 8, 2020
Due to Covid – 19 restrictions and health guidelines administered by the Alberta Government, it will be “absolutely necessary” to make changes to our entire portfolio of standard ice curriculums this year. This is not normal times so we must all understand and adapt.
Close quarter sports like ice hockey are challenging to play / learn skills without physical contact / interactions within 6 feet of one another. Ice hockey does not protect against droplets spread and its close quarter activities. The equipment is not sufficient enough to prevent droplet spreads.
Everyone on the ice whether players or on ice instructors must respect and attempt to ensure physical distancing 6 feet apart to help prevent the spread of Covid – 19. However, this will not always be possible especially with younger players but we will try our best to ensure strong physical distancing during each on ice session. This new environment will limit the number of players on the ice. The caps are specific to the program and can differ from program to program. It’s a first register and first pay set up for each ice session / program.
We will separate the players based on their skill levels into 3 or 4 development stations for most of the on ice curriculums. Each station will consist of 5 to 8 players with 1 to 2 on ice instructors on occasion per station. We will attempt to maintain these small and same cohort groups for the duration of the week’s program so as to maximize safety.
Coach Rex will be the master instructor directing the on ice programs and circulating among the station groups. Each station will have a head instructor and some possibly an assistant instructor as well. The player to instructor ratio on the average will be 5 to 1 or less.
The new Covid environment may restrict the type of teaching curriculums, coaching methods, selection of hockey drills, communications and daily interaction with skaters.
In particular our Checking, D – man, Transition from Half Ice to Full Ice and Prep / Conditioning curriculums will be affected the most. It will be far from a normal coaching environment but we will endeavour, as always, to do our very best to deliver a quality and professional on ice hockey service to our valued customers.
Most of our programs will continue to have a core component of skating, technical hockey skills and conditioning components. Above all, we wish to ensure a safe, positive and fun learning setup and experience for all of our participants within the game we all love.
Just remember, these are not normal times and activities on the ice will be adversely affected too. Nevertheless, it’s good to be back! Game on!
Hockey & Smiles!