Parents — check it out

With the youth hockey season underway, parents once again are filling rinks all over the state, complete with the too-loud hockey mom and the dad as coach using hand signals as he stands on the glass. Much of the lobby conversation has centered on the USA Hockey rule change that takes body checking out of the equation until Bantam.

It is a polarizing topic to say the least; so much so, that fewer folks than usual are discussing the often under-taught and rarely thought-of skill of receiving a body check. All the attention has been on “what’s gone” from a hitting standpoint, that overlooked is how the new rule actually aides in the “taking it” aspect of physical play. Why? Because everyone focuses on the player delivering the check.

Well, by allowing our young players to learn the game by promoting body contact through Pee Wee, good habits are forming in both giving and receiving body checks. Here’s why: with puck optional, intimidating hits removed at the younger ages, the game itself promotes proper controlled/angling skating, along with the use of stick-on-puck techniques and shoulder-to-shoulder maneuvering, all of which are attributes of excellent defensive checking habits. Concurrently, as a result of the competitive environment, the offensive player is developing essential balance, awareness and leverage skills.

Those three components are vital in properly preparing to absorb a body check. The offensive player must have a strong, balanced stride. He must be aware of where the checkers are and where he is in relationship to the boards, net, or other defenders. And in taking a check, using the boards and upper body to cushion the blow — or leverage the impact — is all about shoulder positioning and contact confidence. These are important, teachable elements.  Like any skill, though, it is better if they are learned.

While the new rule defers body-checking for an additional two-year period in a player’s development, it doesn’t deter the learning process. In fact, it actually promotes better fundamentals — even for the player on the receiving end. That’s something that all parents can cheer about, even as they holler “go Johnny go” every time he nears the puck, or feel compelled to interject a tip while little Janie is getting set to line up for a face-off. Some things will never change.

When it comes to contact confidence, it is good that some things do.