Initiation — IN 2A/2B
$280
per Player (Professional individual/team photo keepsake included)
The
Initiation 2A/2B program is designed
to introduce the players to the game of hockey. Normally for players born 2004
- 2005. (Note: there is not a pre-requisite for registration in IN 2A or IN 2B)
These
programs focus on development of forward and backward skating, turning,
stopping, puck handling and shooting. Teams of 10 to 12 players are formed. No
regular goalies — players rotate through all positions, including goaltender,
each shift. Half-ice games are played (i.e. dividers at centre ice separate the
ice surface into halves and two games are played at the same time on these
half-ice surfaces).
There
is a game Saturday and a practice Sunday or vice-versa every weekend from
mid-October to mid-March at local arenas (some exceptions may occur).
There
is an evaluation skate, usually the first weekend in October, that is used to
form the teams in both IN 2A and IN 2B. Following this evaluation skate
the teams are created with the focus being on grouping the kids with varying
skill level together to form teams of equal strength. This is in conformance
with the SWAT tiering policy. The IN 2B
teams were formed to provide players that are further advanced in there
development an environment to learn the game with players of similar skills.
SWAT introduced this system a few years ago to accommodate the growing number
of players in the program and the variance in development. The results have
strengthened the SWAT hockey program. The players can develop with other
players that are similar in maturity and age. The IN 2A program has become stronger
as well with this system. The players now are more involved in the games and
practices. As was the case before, the players that are now in the IN 2B
program tended to dominate the games at the IN 2A level, leading to some
players getting discouraged.
IN 2A/2B will consist of the following:
- Emphasis
on skating
- Learn
basic hockey skills
- Introduction
to team concept
- Half-ice
games and practices
The
IN 2B program is designed to have half ice games for the first part of
the season and, if available, full ice games are played for the remainder of
the season.
NOTE:
For more information on the SWAT IN 2A or IN 2B division, contact the Initiation Category Director at:
initiation@swat.ab.ca