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This is an instructional program only

• Rostered teams for the following:
  Limited tournament play
  Limited exhibition games 
• Must supply proof of player eligibility.

THE OBJECTIVES

• Assists in developing, refining and enhancing large motor movements without the pressure of competition
• Develops and encourages the concept of team play and healthy sportsmanship through player and parent participation in on-ice and off-ice activities
• Implements fitness, fair play and cooperation within the fun of the game

THE PROGRAM

• Is held on shared ice to provide excellent ice utilization and excellent communication amongst all instructors/coaches and all players
• Provides a safe environment in which to be introduced to ice hockey
• Develops an understanding of basic team play through participation in structured activities and game-like situations
• Introduces the participants and parents to the concept of fair and cooperative play
• Refines basic motor patterns and builds self-confidence
• Provides an enjoyable environment that challenges individuals positively and rewards for their efforts
• May not place children in competitive situations, only if the success of the program dictates it

THE COMMITMENT

PLAYERS

• Have fun, learn skills and develop confidence

PARENTS

• Understand program objectives
• Provide suggestions and feedback to I.P. co-ordinator, instructors and I.P. representative in a timely manner
• Provide positive encouragement to all participants
• Enjoy your child's first hockey experience

PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS

• Be positive, energetic, fun loving, patient and responsible
• Implement skill stations and drills as outlined in the CHIPS HANDBOOK and as approved by the I.P. co-ordinator
• Monitor participant's skill levels and achievements, rewarding accordingly
• Evaluate and re-evaluate participants continually for the purpose of grouping in appropriate skill level, allowing participants to progress as required
• Modify rules to emphasize and improve skills:
  -Players can only score a limited number of goals
  -Players must make a certain number of passes
  -Make teams uneven numerically, in an effort to balance skill-wise -Constantly change teams to balance according to constantly changing skill levels
  -Stop scrimmages to instruct if necessary
  -Players can only skate backwards
  -Players can only shoot backhanded
  -Players can only shoot outside a certain radius
• Do not overemphasize winning. This can lead to undesirable behavior, poor performance, restricted development and frustration
• Instill fun and friendships of hockey encouraging fair play, not winning
• Meet regularly with I.P. co-ordinator, reporting progress and providing feedback

THE I.P. CO-ORDINATOR

• Establish, implement and monitor program through communication and visibility
• Liase with coaches/instructors, parent, board and participants, altering program as required
• Educate, evaluate and monitor coaches/instructors performance
• Remind the parents that the programs created for the children, not the adults
• Decide with the input of the instructors and the approval of the board, if the participants are to play competitively

THE BOARD

• Be committed and patient
• Be visible and supportive
• Monitor program through regular reports from I.P. co-ordinator. It is very easy to slip into a game model, where participants are forced into competition that is too demanding too soon. If this happens, not enough time is spent attending to the cirriculum of skill development, leaving the players without the skill foundation to enjoy hockey
• Recognize there is bound to be 'program doubters' who favor the raditional approach

THE MEASUREMENT OF SUCCESS

The level of development players achieve, not the number of games won or goals scored, measures success of the program. If the participant's skills have improved and they had fun while learning, the I.P. program has been successfully implemented.

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