Sylvan Lake/Jasper Hockey Programs

photo10.jpg MISSION STATEMENT
WE WANT TO TEACH OUR CUSTOMERS HOW TO SKATE, PASS, HANDLE THE PUCK AND SHOOT. WE TEACH THE BASICS AND EMPHASIZE FUN. OUR GAMES BUILD ON THAT BECAUSE SPEED AND PUCK MOVEMENT ARE THE FOUNDATION TO SKILL DEVELOPMENT.

IT'S A SIMPLE IDEAL THAT THE GAME BECOMES FUN AND FUN IS PLAYING WITH SPEED AND SKILL

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PROGRAM AND OUR CUSTOMERS INCREASE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SKILL LEVEL OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK BECAUSE OF THAT PHILOSOPHY.

Each summer we have a lot of parents who have questions in regards to how our camp is run and we encourage those questions. However some parents are uncomfortable about asking so we are taking this opportunity to provide as much information as we can about our program.

The drills are not just drills to fill time; they are designed as a road map with a beginning, middle and an end. The drills teach bits and pieces and reinforce skills. Then progressions are made on the initial drills and they are reinforced again. The main theme is to keep the students interested on the ice by changing the drills but to follow a progression so that they can improve.

An example is passing, which begins with stationary passing and then movement is added. That is done by having pairs of students pass while moving forward and backward and then passes are made to students who are breaking in on net. The students also learn to pass when eye contact is made, and to go find oepn ice to take a pass. The simple action of learning to pass by first following through low and pointing your stick at the target leads to learning to lead a player on the move. That leads to the student learning to keep his head up to give and receive a pass. Our goal is for the student to keep learning and progressing as the week goes on and before they know it they are passing to players on the move and getting into a position where they can take a pass and gain a scoring opportunity.

Another example is contact confidence. We begin by teaching the students to get low for power from their legs and for balance. Then they get used to contact by bumping shoulder to shoulder with another player following a line they cannot cross. That helps the student not familiar with contact because they see the other player cannot cross the line and knock them over, it is a chance to get the feel of shoulder to shoulder contact. The students then learn to use quick feet, and bend their knees to protect a small area, which progresses into shadowing. That simply means to follow a player and learn to contain him/her. By the end of the week the students are involved in 3 on 3 games where they can use the skills of containment and angling and then the opportunity arises again in the full ice games. By demonstrating the drills, and explaining the seriousness of body contact (no hitting from behind, respect for other players, no high sticks) we move in a safe progressive manner so the students learn how to make and take contact safely. The program is designed that way because body contact is a skill the same as skating and shooting, it is not a means of intimidation. It is a player's skill to slow down another player from getting to the net for a rebound or deflection and it also gets a player out of position to prevent offensive chances. Our philosophy is that contact confidence is a skill where you position yourself so that the other player cannot gain control of the middle of the ice.

The program is based on progressive steps from passing to shooting, to contact confidence and of course skating. In seven days we try to have the students learn the fundamentals and have a good time while they are doing it. That's why the stations where the students have different games are so important. They are designed to be fun while the student learns to bend his knees, or to keep his/her head up. Or he/she learns that power comes from your legs and quick feet will help you move the puck along the boards when another player has angled you in the corner.

We don't have all the answers but we always try to learn from the students that we teach and the parents who care about them as we do. Each year we have made changes to our program so that the students can have fun and learn and we hope you come enjoy a week with us.

The entire concept of the program is to combine fun with sound fundamental hockey discipline, dedication and hard work.

The camp accommodates players ages 7-18. These groups are divided according to age, ability and size. Each group is then divided into two teams. All this is done prior to registration day from information taken from the application form. Each student is given a hockey jersey for the week and it is our gift to you.

During the week the students work on the basic FUNdamentals of skating, puck handling, passing and receiving, and shooting. The program also includes powerskating and team play concepts. Goaltenders work on their basics early in the extensive program progressing from work on the stance to movement, angles, challenging, game situations and anticipation.

The program is designed in a station system with each group broken down further into three groups. Each group works on certain skills and rotate through the stations. The program progresses towards a 3 on 3 game, a mini game and a final game in which the students display their week of hard work and it is amazing to see their progression.

The Sylvan Lake/Jasper International Summer Hockey Camp(s) are proud of the off-ice program designed for 2003. Qualified Phys.Ed. Program Directors will coordinate all aspects of the off-ice program including dryland training and all forms of coordination and flexibility exercises, orientation chalk talks and videos.

The morning off-ice session will be a classroom orientation and chalk talk session. It will give the students an overview of what they will be covering on the ice and the reasons for those drills.

The afternoon session is an extensive dryland training period. It is designed to teach the importance of flexibility and incorporates activities to develop coordination but more importantly it is fun. We cannot get a student in shape in one week but we provide them with tools to continue in their training and take advantage of games to allow the students to bond with one another.

Sylvan Lake - Jasper Summer Hockey Camp
4823 - 48th Street,
Sylvan Lake, AB, Canada T4S 1M6
Phone: 403-887-2575 Fax: 403-887-3450

Website:www.sylvanlakehockey.com
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