ADM Kids

Q: My 12-year-old will begin 14U hockey next fall, with body checking. Is there anything I can do to help him prepare for this change?

A: Hopefully your son’s 12U coach has done some preparation work over the past few seasons. Doing some drills and small games in practice that include full body checking at 12U is important. The controlled practice environment provides kids a safe opportunity to work on checking technique and make adjustments in how they give and receive body checks.

With the transition happening for your son over the next few months, it’s advisable to get him involved in a body-checking clinic. Most youth associations offer this to their players making the move from 12U to 14U. While a one-day clinic is not going to make up for regular training that should occur throughout the year, it’s a good refresher on technique.

With body-contact play at 12U, your son will have learned angling and contact skills that are the basis for checking. The difference now is in the level of force allowed in contact.

For more information, please click here to access USA Hockey’s body-checking manual.