At the Mite age level, the outcome of any scrimmages or jamboree games is often determined by the skills of one player who is a little taller, quicker or stronger than the others. However, as players progress and start playing as a team, it becomes much harder for one player to make a difference by himself. Players who learn early to work with their teammates have much greater success than those who focus more on their own efforts. Playing as a team involves several things. These include:
- Sharing credit for things that go right
- Not blaming others for things that go wrong
- Winning and losing together
- Making sure everyone is involved in the game
- Helping others improve their play
- Passing to a player in a better position
- Getting open to receive a pass from a player
- Playing a position well
- Trusting teammates to play their positions well
Sometimes players have the opportunity to play with more talented players and sometimes with less talented players. Good team play is the same no matter who is playing. Playing position and passing are important elements of hockey. Players with lesser skill need the support and encouragement of those players with better skill in order to improve their game. Better players should share the puck to improve the level of team play and demonstrate their leadership abilities. Teamwork is about sharing and helping the team play well and score goals.
Key Points
- One of the hardest things to learn as a child is that passing the puck rather than taking the shot is what it takes to demonstrate skill and win games.
- Always emphasize team play over individual goal scoring.
- Every player must contribute and work together for a team to be successful.
- Lead by example to make the team better.
- Playing as a team is the quickest way to win games.
- TEAM is another way to say: Together Everyone Achieves More.
Exercises
1. List two things you did in your last game that made you a good team player.
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2. List two things you can do in your next game to become a better team player.
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3. Check all the statements that show examples of good team play:
__Passing around an opponent instead of trying to stickhandle through them
__ Looking for an open teammate before stickhandling the puck
__ Backing up your teammates
__ Staying in your position
__ Helping a lesser skilled player
__ Congratulating players on a good job
__ Paying attention to the game while on the bench
__ Playing your hardest
__ Paying attention to the coach
__ Communicating with your teammates
__ Not blaming others for mistakes
__ Learning the names of your other teammates
__ Passing to a lesser skilled player
Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from the Hockey Workbook for Mini-Mites, Mites and Squirts at www.sportsesteem.com.