Has anyone considered whether they should continue with traditional association hockey during the winter? If burnout is such a hot topic, and if your local association isn't a good fit (pick any reason you'd like, I'm not trying to start a debate about the virtues and vices of associations), and if there are some great summer options that provide just as many or more hours than winter hockey -- would with letting the kids play just for fun during the winter (e.g., pick-up games at the local rink), and focusing on development during the summer be such a bad thing?
Lots of ifs, I know, but does it really matter? Summer vs. winter?
Winter vs. Summer
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
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JoltDelivered
- Posts: 316
- Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:31 am
Maybe for the elite players, maybe.
But the problem is the winter programs are where players are found for the summer programs. If they don't play in the winter, chances are they will never have the opportunity to play in the summer.
Now, if your argument is once they are established "talents" say around the age of 11-15 they should quit winter hockey, concentrate only on sumer hockey and just "rink rat" it in the winter, well I disagree. If they aren't on a winter team then really their only access to ice during the winter will be outdoor ice. And outdoor ice, even in your own back yard, can be very fickle. This year has been great but in years past, outdoor ice has has been very spotty. So you're really taking your chances.
But the problem is the winter programs are where players are found for the summer programs. If they don't play in the winter, chances are they will never have the opportunity to play in the summer.
Now, if your argument is once they are established "talents" say around the age of 11-15 they should quit winter hockey, concentrate only on sumer hockey and just "rink rat" it in the winter, well I disagree. If they aren't on a winter team then really their only access to ice during the winter will be outdoor ice. And outdoor ice, even in your own back yard, can be very fickle. This year has been great but in years past, outdoor ice has has been very spotty. So you're really taking your chances.
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jBlaze3000
- Posts: 207
- Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:25 pm
My son was on a traveling Squirt team this year that at times I thought was a waste of money ($200 monthly ice bills only to have the kids sittings on the ice for half of practice going over strategies). If he happens to make a traveling team next year with the same coaches then I will strongly consider having him play house during the winter and saving the traveling expenses for summer clinics and leagues.
Most kids are working hard all summer to make the top winter (association, school, community team). I don't think most are taking the other approach trying to showcase themselves in the winter to make a top summer. Some do I know, but they aren't the ones that stick with your community/school.JoltDelivered wrote:Maybe for the elite players, maybe.
But the problem is the winter programs are where players are found for the summer programs. If they don't play in the winter, chances are they will never have the opportunity to play in the summer.
Now, if your argument is once they are established "talents" say around the age of 11-15 they should quit winter hockey, concentrate only on sumer hockey and just "rink rat" it in the winter, well I disagree. If they aren't on a winter team then really their only access to ice during the winter will be outdoor ice. And outdoor ice, even in your own back yard, can be very fickle. This year has been great but in years past, outdoor ice has has been very spotty. So you're really taking your chances.
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32HockeyFan
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:59 am
just do it!
Play4fun, then talk to your children and do it instead of trolling here for debates. You can come on here in a couple years and tell everybody with young children and no perspective your experiences.
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muckandgrind
- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:48 am
play4fun wrote:I think my kids would like to spend the winter ice fishing, snowboarding, hanging out with their buddies, and beating their old man at knee hockey -- provided the old knees don't give out.
But you do bring up a good point, some "seasonal" sports are history. Kids can play basketball and soccer year round, in the South kids play baseball year round. I have heard of kids who don't play outdoor soccer in the summer.... Only indoor soccer in the winter and occasionally a fall league.
Jackstraw,
I'm pretty comfortable LISTENING to my kids, and having a conversation with them. Don't presume too much.
The question was straightforward. Does it really matter whether kids get their skating in during the winter or summer? IF, kids aren't skating year 'round, I don't think it matters, other than team chemistry-wise as they get older.
Lighten up.
By the way, perspective is just that. From yours. Or mine. Or someone else's.
I'm pretty comfortable LISTENING to my kids, and having a conversation with them. Don't presume too much.
The question was straightforward. Does it really matter whether kids get their skating in during the winter or summer? IF, kids aren't skating year 'round, I don't think it matters, other than team chemistry-wise as they get older.
Lighten up.
By the way, perspective is just that. From yours. Or mine. Or someone else's.