ADM Kids

Is year-round hockey really necessary for my 10-year-old?

No! Encourage your children to participate in complementary sports during the off-season. At 10U, kids are just beginning to enter a golden window of skill development. Well-rounded athletes obtain skills from playing a multitude of sports, especially during this development stage. There are many sports that will increase an athlete’s proprioception and motor skill, and this type of technical skill development at 10U is more important than teaching team tactics.

One of society’s biggest challenges with youth sports today is being patient and avoiding early specialization which, like playing one sport year-round, can lead to overuse injuries and burnout. It’s imperative to mix things up at younger ages and give kids variety.

Please enjoy watching your kids learn and grow. Time flies and kids grow up way too fast. Don’t rush their youth sports experience, and don’t push them to specialize early. With your support, love and patience, hopefully they have a great youth experience and turn hockey into a lifetime sport.