2009-2010 Mite Minor Hockey Season

The Fishers Youth Hockey Association (FYHA) Mite Minor program is designed to introduce the game of hockey to boys and girls who are 5, 6 and beginner 7 years olds.

The FYHA asks that beginning players know how to skate, as skating is the most basic skill necessary to play hockey.  But don't worry!  Learn to Skate programs held at The Forum at Fishers are offered throughout the year by experienced professionals from Elite Skating. For more information on Elite Skating please visit their website at www.elitesk8ing.com.

On Ice Focus

The Mite Minor program will focus on basic, fundamental skating skills acting as a foundation for that player’s future hockey career.  Player fun and safety will be emphasized throughout the program.  Approximately 70% of the Mite Minor program will focus on Skating fundamentals including:

·        Learning the basics of a good skating stride, staying low, minimizing body movement, proper arm movement with and without a stick

·        First the snow plow then advancing to a two foot stop facing both directions

·        Introduction to cross over turns, both directions

·        Introduction to skating backwards

·        Turning and transitioning

Players learn and advance at different rates.   As skill development progresses the players will be grouped to allow stronger skaters to work on more advanced skills and slower learners to get more attention on key fundamentals.  All players will learn the basics of passing, shooting and positioning in addition to skating fundamentals. 

Team Structure

The goal for the Mite Minor program is to have a 30 - 40 players divided into four teams, each with at least one coach.  During practices the players will be grouped by ability, each with a separate coach focusing on fundamentals within their ability.  During the last 4 weeks, players will participate in a minimum of one 30 minute game per week.  Positioning fundamentals will be covered during these games that may or may not have a final score recorded to maintain a non-competitive atmosphere. 

Coaching support

In addition to the coaches there will be a Mite Minor coordinator that will be responsible for the development of the players having close interaction with the players and coaches and highly visible in the practices.  In addition to the coordinator there is a Director of the Mite program responsible for all the off ice details and administration.  These are additional resources that the FYHA program has furnished to emphasize player development and advancement in a fun atmosphere.

 Timing

The FYHA Mite Minor program consists of two sessions, one in the fall and one in the winter.  Players can participate in either or both sessions.  Each 6-week session offers a one (1) hour practice on Friday evenings and a one (1) hour game on Sunday afternoons.  Session #1 Fall session will begin on November 5, 2009 and Session #2 Winter Session will begin January 22, 2010.

FYHA registration is done on line.  Look for information regarding registration on the FYHA Home Page.