INFORMATION

 Ages 4 to 17 years old

The LEARN TO PLAY Program was revamped in December of 2014. We started back then with 10-14 kids. We now have had over 600 kids come through the program (as of December 2017). The above picture was our fist graduating class of players. 

Take a look at some highlights from our Hockey Level 1 Class, where they also try bowling.

Youth Ages 4-8 or 9-17

There are two age groups: 4-8 years old and 9-17 years old. At both age groups, there are four levels of Learn to Play Hockey Skate Instruction, or Learn to Play. If your child has never skated before, or is fairly new, he/she will start in our Hockey 1. The Hockey Coaches will help place your child in accordance with their skill level. Full gear is needed at every level. After your child has passed Hockey 4, he/she will be ready to play in our in-house League. Normally, there is a Fall 5 on 5 league and a Summer 3 on 3 league. As your child progresses, there are travel teams, all girl teams, and High School Hockey. 

 Ages 4-8

Hockey 1 (LTP1)  Learn to Play 1 will teach fundamentals of skating, as endorsed by USA Hockey. This class is 1⁄2 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent.   In this session, players will learn how to fall on ice and stand up, proper stance forward and backward, march forward 10 steps, forward two-foot glide, dip and squat, scooter pushes or T-push, forward swizzles (6 in a row), snowplow stop while standing in place.

Hockey 2 (LTP2)   Learn to Play 2 will teach fundamentals of skating, as endorsed by USA Hockey. The skating is more advanced than Hockey 1. This class is 1⁄2 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. In this session, players will learn forward stride with 45 degree V push, scooter pushes and glide on 1 foot, alternating forward c-cut on a straight line, backward hustle to backward 2-foot glide while holding for 4 seconds, backward swizzles (6 in a row), 2-foot moving snowplow stops 2-foot glide turn and a 2-foot hop while moving.  Players will also now have a stick and be introduced to passing and shooting.

Hockey 3 (LTP3)  For children who want to learn the basic skills to play hockey, USA Hockey American Developmental Model (ADM) is introduced. This class is a prerequisite for the Mighty Mite program. This class is 1 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. In this session, players will learn forward c-cuts on a circle, tight run around a cone, one foot snow plow stop with hip swivel, 2-foot forward slalom, forward stop and starts, forward inside and ouside edges on a circle, backward V-stops at full speed, lateral marching crossovers, stick handling, passing, and shooting.  Classes will be structured following USA Hockey American Development (ADM) Program.

Hockey 4 (LTP4) or Mighty Mites  An instructional program with a professional atmosphere for boys and girls. New players must have basic skating skills, or have completed Hockey 3, or other equivalent learn to skate class. USA Hockey American Developmental Model (ADM) is used during each practice and scrimmages are played. Children will play at intermissions during Idaho Steelhead home games. This class is 1 hour long. In this session, players will learn forward crossover glides and hold the crossed feet for 2 seconds, forward crossovers, alternating backward c-cuts, backward c-cuts on a circle, backward 1 foot glide, transition turn or J-turn, pivot turn, and how to hockey stop, stick handling, passing, and shooting.  Your child must pass this class, before playing any in- house team games.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. This is the last step prior to entering league play. Players will be introduced to structured practice (American Development Model) and scrimmages.

Ages 9-17

Hockey 1 (LTP1)  Learn to Play will teach fundamentals of skating, as endorsed by USA Hockey. This class is 1⁄2 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent.  In this session, players will learn how to fall on ice and stand up, proper stance forward and backward, march forward 10 steps, forward two-foot glide, dip and squat, scooter pushes or T-push, forward swizzles (6in a row), snowplow stop while standing in place.

Hockey 2 (LTP2)  Learn to Hockey Skate will teach fundamentals of skating, as endorsed by USA Hockey. The skating is more advanced than Hockey 2. This class is 1⁄2 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. In this session, players will learn forward stride with 45 degree V push, scooter pushes and glide on 1 foot, alternating forward c-cut on a straight line, backward hustle to backward 2-foot glide while holding for 4 seconds, backward swizzles (6 in a row), 2-foot moving snowplow stops 2-foot glide turn and a 2-foot hop while moving.  Players will also now have a stick and be introduced to passing and shooting.

Hockey 3 (LTP3)  For youth who want to learn the basic skills to play hockey. USA Hockey American Developmental Model (ADM) is introduced. This class is a prerequisite for the Hockey 4. This class is 1 hour long.  This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. In this session, players will learn forward c-cuts on a circle, tight run around a cone, one foot snow plow stop with hip swivel, 2-foot forward slalom, forward stop and starts, forward inside and ouside edges on a circle, backward V-stops at full speed, lateral marching crossovers, stick handling, passing, and shooting.  Classes will be structured following USA Hockey American Development (ADM) Program.

Hockey 4 (LTP4)  An instructional program with a professional atmosphere for boys and girls. New players must have basic skating skills, or have completed Hockey 3, or other equivalent learn to skate class. USA Hockey American Developmental Model (ADM) is used during each practice and scrimmages are played. This class is 1 hour long. In this session, players will learn Forward crossover glides and hold the crossed feet for 2 seconds, forward crossovers, alternating backward c-cuts, backward c-cuts on a circle, backward 1 foot glide, transition turn or J-turn, pivot turn, and how to hockey stop, stick handling, passing, and shooting. Your child must pass this class, before playing any in house team games. This session is a prerequisite to youth hockey. Players need to be able to participate in class independently from parent. This is the last step prior to entering league play. Players will be introduced to structured practice (American Development Model) and scrimmages.