This article was originally posted on the site in 2011, but we are posting it again as a StrengthCoach Classic to serve as a refresher and so newer members can see it.
I received the following question from one of my former athletes and wrote a somewhat tongue-in-cheek response. With all the questions on the site about training kids I thought this might provide some perspective.
Q- I need to put together a summer plan for my 9 yr old hockey team. Obviously I don't want to look like a crazy person, but it would be something that I think could be good for my own kids as well. Is it too young?
A- First off, yes it is too young but here is a great plan:
Step 1- play another sport. Lacrosse is highly recommended as it has similar skills to hockey although baseball is fine. This does not mean another sport in addition to hockey. Summer is the off season.
Step 2- Cancel all hockey camp registrations except 1 week. Pick your favorite that has the largest number of your kids friends attending and go to that one. Ideally look for a camp that only has them on the ice once a day. No need to get blisters. You won't get better in a week anyway.
Step 3- Cancel any summer hockey leagues they are scheduled for. The best players in the world never play summer hockey and, they never have. The only conceivable exception would be a weekly skill session lasting one hour. Another exception would be "play". If ice is available and the kids can play, let them. Please remember play means NO COACHES or COACHING.
Step 4- Reread steps 1-3. Acknowledge that the key problem in youth sports is applying adult values to children's activities.
Step 5- Go to the nearest bike shop. Get nice bikes for everyone in the family
Step 6- Ride the bikes, not in a race. For fun. Maybe put a few hockey cards in the spokes to make noise.
Step 7- Head to Walmart and buy fishing rods.
Step 8- Take the fishing rods to the nearest lake and fish.
Step 9- repeat steps 5-8 while continually rereading steps 1-3