I am sure the skills development these kids have gained will be useful to them when they go back to their associations in the winter and will not go to waste. Perhaps some kids will even be the "stars" on their team because of it. And...guess what...some kids are just better than others at any given time.tomASS wrote:so all the skill development they gain goes to waste since they don't see much action and are only there to provide a rest for the better players.Hockey!LoveIt! wrote: These two summer teams stress skills development...games are a chance to put what they've learned into play. The 96 Machine 3rd line does not see much time...a little more for the 2nd line. They are out there to give Whalen, Nanne and Walker a rest. These kids are just happy to be learning some great skills and are thrilled to be on their respective teams. It is not about the games...it is about the skills development. Isn't that what all these threads talk about for kids this age?? If you play for teams at this AAA level, you must go into it knowing that games are played to be won. The real benefit will come from the 100 to 130 hours of practice.
ahhh I see said the blind man who picked up the hammer and saw. NOT!
demongoed has it right - kids want to play games- games are the good stuff.
blueblood - these are probably the parent's firstborn, we will have to let them learn their own lessons and spend their money anyway they see fit.....so I have been told. They seem awful sensitive about it- like an exposed nerve has been struck
They can come see us in about 8 years and tell us if we were so wrong.


These threads all talk about how skills development is so crucial at 8, 9, 10, 11 years old...not games. Pond hockey and 3 on 3 seems to be the "game" of choice at this age according to many of these threads. The Machine and The Blades do not play that many games compared to skills development hours.
tomASS, you say kids want to play the games, but coaches want skills development. Which is it going to be? Can these two meet somewhere in the middle?