ADM Kids

Q: What’s happening at 10U to prepare my child for body-checking?

A: At 10U, the playing rules allow for body contact. This gives children a chance to develop all the precursor skills that lead to full body-checking. Players learn to angle and use body-positioning skills in confrontational situations. Players are also allowed to bump into their opponent when battling for the puck at this age. All of these elements, plus actively coaching proper body contact in 10U practices, provide an excellent foundation of preparedness for children.

Click here to watch a short video that defines body contact. It’s the same video shown to game officials.

Gaining comfort in contact situations and developing contact confidence is the first step. This begins in the earliest levels and continues through 10U hockey. At the 12U age classification, coaches should build on this training with the introduction of drills and small-area games that allow controlled full body-checking in preparation for when players advance to the 14U age category.