Cross-Ice Hockey is the latest in training techniques from USA Hockey. The theory goes that players at the Mite level get more touches of the puck and learn more about quick thinking and passing than full ice hockey games. While the Pros are working with an ice surface that is too small, the Mites have one that is too big.
The fact is that the cross-ice programs are having trouble taking hold in many parts of the country. Part of this has to do with a cultural bias. Part of this has to do with a lack of an understanding of child development. Part has to do with the general difficulty adopting new ideas.
THE CROSS-ICE CONCEPT
Let's start by taking a look at what cross-ice programs are not. They are not about teaching offsides. They are not about teaching kids how to work inside a zone. And they are most certainly not about training kids to play competitive hockey.
Some of you will say: "What good are they?" Well USA Hockey seems to believe that they build confidence, give kids with limited skating ability the opportunity to play the puck and help teach kids how to react quickly in high traffic situations.
Those who advocate full ice programs often talk about teaching kids game skills that they will need at higher levels: positioning, offsides, defensive awareness, etc. What many fail to realize is that these topics are likely beyond the comprehension of the average 6 year old hockey player. Maybe an 8 year old will be able to figure it out, but USA Hockey does not advocated teaching systems to players below 13.
While the Hockey Cat thinks that systems start to make sense when players are able to comprehend them, we can talk about that in another column. Not all 10 year olds are the same, etc. There are some pro teams that cannot understand a system. Age has nothing to do with that.
PUCK SKILLS
There is no argument that kids who play full ice, learn how to clear a zone, dump a puck in and score on breakaways. What makes Cross-Ice special is that there are almost never any breakaways. It is fun to watch "slower" or "thinking" players pick apart speedy ones in Cross-Ice. Sure it is a great skill to be able to skate, but if we are really thinking about "the next level" then we have to remember that those "slow" kids will start catching up by the time players reach 11-13.
Smaller faster kids, will find bigger "slower" kids really enjoy hitting them. The moves that worked in Squirt, will result in a thundering open-ice hit in Peewee. End-to-end rushes will be much rarer, because players play better defensively. By Peewee players will have to pass and move without the puck to get open.
Cross-Ice requires younger kids to develop those quick thinking skills. There is no time to "pick a corner" when defenders are on top of you. You cannot just sit with the puck and then run away from a one-on-one battle. Another player will be right there. Nothing develops "vision" more than having someone in your face the moment you have the puck.
From a skills development perspective, it may look great for your son or daughter to score 10 goals a game versus 7 year olds. However, what happens when they are cut off at every turn when they are 10. Cross-Ice helps give them the skills necessary to compete. The rink doesn't get bigger as they get older. The players do.
TEAM PLAY
The biggest argument against Cross-Ice is that it doesn't teach positioning. The HockeyCat begs to differ. If your idea of "Team Play" is playing 2 defensemen at Center Ice to prevent breakaways, then Cross-Ice causes a problem. There is no Red Line or Blue Line. There may not even be a goal, just a couple of cones. How can kids learn team play with that?
It depends on what you are trying to teach them. The HockeyCat likes to see cycling and quick outlet passes. We love to see a tick-tack-toe goal from behind the net. With cross-ice young players get the opportunity do this, because one pass puts you in scoring position. You will usually have an opponent draped on you and another one breathing down your neck. Does this sound familiar?
This is the situation that you are going to be in when you are 11 and up. As for the defensive system freaks out there, you learn very quickly in cross-ice about leaving an opponent alone. Blowing a coverage almost always results in a scoring chance.
In a Full-Ice situation, there is a lot more time to get back and cover up for a mistake. Instead of Cross-Ice hindering defensive instincts, it hones them. Players learn the importance of man coverage and not "chasing the puck." This is a great concept.
TOUCHING THE PUCK
The proponents of Cross-Ice say that players get more touches on the puck. That is a 50/50 proposition. The "better skilled" players will touch the puck more. However, since they can't skate end-to-end they are forced to pass. If they don't they find they are suddenly swarmed by defenders.
HockeyCat doesn't necessarily buy the argument that less skilled players get more touches. It does seem to reason that those "better skilled" players end up setting up their teammates more often, because they have no other choice. The fast skaters learn how to stick handle traffic, resulting in more creativity in their game.
FINAL CAT THOUGHT
To sum this up, HockeyCat believes in Cross-Ice as part of every program. Try breaking your more dominant players up and put them on 1/3 of the ice, while matching your other players up with players of their own ability. Then mix it up a little. The results may surprise you. If you are a full-ice team, you will see that your players work better with the puck in the offensive zone. You will also see your defensive players using diagonal breakouts.
The HockeyCat sees cross-ice as an integral part of learning the game of hockey. Try it 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 at higher levels with smaller nets and the blue puck. You'll like the results.
