What level should kids be allowed to start checking

My_Kid_Loves_Hockey · Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:21 am

Is it MN hockey or USA hockey that does not allow checking at the squirt level?

We returned from Winnipeg where they allow checking at the Atom(squirt) level. The big difference that I noticed is that the Canadian teams have a huge jump on the MN teams when it comes to physical play. These teams know how to finish checks, make better open ice hits and are use to the physical play.

If squirts are for development, should we be working on learning how to play the body too?

Also another post mentioned slap shots, why can't the kids take them either?[/b]

yeahyeahyeah · Post by **yeahyeahyeah** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:27 am

I am pretty sure it is USA Hockey rule. A few weeks ago I was thinking about this very topic. I actually had a conversation with a couple of Canadien parents following a game. Apparently their winter rules are similar to ours. The said that they had implemented checking at the Atom level in the winter time, only to find that more kids quit playing at an earlier age as a result.....yes these were Canadiens speaking. They said they have since gone back to no check until they reach the PW age. This is the rule for winter hockey. I believe you are correct regarding summer hockey, they can and do check.
USA hockey needs to address this rule for the kids that are moving into peewees as first year. The July 1 date for checking is not fair to kids playing during the summer, they are not fully able to prepare themselves for Winter hockey in competitive situations. Whether it is Showcase or Minnesota Made or the Blades or any other organization, players are competing and practicing at that age to get ready for the step up to PW's. I have noticed more kids stepping up to play on lower level teams comprised of kids one year older just so they can practice checking.

observer · Post by **observer** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 12:27 pm

Another consideration is teaching before it can be used. I know with the slapshot the Canadians teach it well before it's used. So, day one of Squirt they already have practiced the slapshot and it's ready for use. We wait until day one of PeeWee practice to start teaching the slapshot instead of using it.

I guess what I'm saying is teach the slapshop in Squirts so PeeWee players have one they can use instead of being embarrassed with trying so don't use it, or perfect it, until 2nd year PeeWee or Bantam. We taught our Squirt D to use a slapshot which I believe is allowed if their takeaway isn't above knee (waist?) high.

Same with checking. It starts with the Squirt rub.

InigoMontoya · Post by **InigoMontoya** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:07 pm

It starts with the Squirt rub.

Even in mites with bumper cars in the face off circle.

An argument FOR earlier contact would be that kids learn to pick their heads up and play hockey at an earlier age - and when the size disparity isn't so great that kids can get hurt too badly.