Cross-Ice Hockey

Cross-ice hockey is not just a fun way to play—it’s the best way for young players to develop the skills they need to succeed at higher levels. With more puck touches, faster decision-making, better player engagement, and a stronger focus on individual skills, cross-ice hockey gives our 6U - 8U players the tools they need to thrive in the future while keeping them excited and involved in the game.

For young players, especially those aged 6-8, cross-ice hockey offers a wealth of advantages that set them up for success in the long run. Here’s a breakdown from the USA Hockey American Development Model of why cross-ice hockey is the best way to develop skills, have fun, and keep kids engaged:

Increased Puck Touches and Skill Development

• Smaller Playing Surface: Cross-ice hockey takes place on a smaller part of the rink, meaning more puck touches for every player. This constant involvement helps kids develop essential skills like stickhandling, passing, and shooting.
• Faster Decision-Making: The smaller rink forces players to think and react quickly. This fastpaced environment accelerates skill development and builds hockey sense, setting them up for success when they transition to larger ice.

More Active Participation

• Increased Involvement: On a full-size rink, younger players can spend a lot of time away from the action. Cross-ice hockey ensures everyone gets a chance to touch the puck and be involved, maximizing their learning opportunities.
• More Balanced Play: The smaller ice surface means the puck doesn’t travel as fast or as far, so players have more equal chances to get involved in the game and contribute.

Less Skating, More Playing

• Focus on Fundamentals: The smaller ice reduces the amount of skating required, which is perfect for younger players still mastering their skating skills. With less time spent chasing the puck, they can focus on technique without getting fatigued.
• Energy and Focus: The fast-paced, conned space of cross-ice hockey helps keep players engaged and energized, allowing them to stay focused on their development rather than getting distracted by open space.

Better Ice Time Distribution

• More Equal Play: In full-ice games, there are often too many players on the ice, which can result in fewer shifts and less ice time for each player. Cross-ice hockey involves more players on a smaller surface, ensuring more equal participation and giving everyone a chance to be involved in the game.

Development of Team Play and Positioning

• Close Quarters, Stronger Teamwork: In cross-ice play, players are closer together, making it easier for them to learn basic team concepts like positioning, passing, and creating space.
• Small-Area Tactics: The smaller rink encourages learning key hockey strategies such as cycling the puck and quick passing. These skills are harder to develop on a full-size rink, where the game can feel more spread out.

Increased Puck Possession and Action

• Tighter Action: Cross-ice games keep the puck moving quickly, giving players more opportunities to control the puck, make passes, and work on offensive and defensive strategies. In contrast, on a full-size rink, players have fewer chances to possess the puck and execute these skills, which slows down their development.

Safer and More Controlled Environment

• Reduced Risk of Injury: The smaller ice surface reduces the risk of high-speed collisions and minimizes the chance of injury. The quick shifts and faster pace also help keep players safe and in control, allowing for a more manageable environment for young athletes.

More Goals = More Fun

• Scoring Opportunities: Younger players love scoring goals, and cross-ice play offers more chances to do just that. The tighter space increases offensive opportunities, which leads to more excitement for kids and helps maintain their love for the game. Full-ice games can often feel more spread out, with fewer chances to score, which can make the game less engaging for younger players.

Focus on Individual Skills Over Team Strategies

• Building the Basics: Cross-ice play allows young players to focus on developing individual skills—like skating, stick-handling, and shooting—because they’re always in the action. On full ice, kids may feel overwhelmed by more complex team strategies, which can detract from mastering the basics that are essential for future success.

Encourages Team Play and Communication

• Improved Communication: Despite focusing on individual skills, cross-ice hockey helps players develop team-oriented communication, whether it's calling for a pass or covering a teammate. In the conned space of cross-ice play, kids learn how to work together in tight quarters, which will pay off when they move to full-ice games.

Better for Player Confidence

• More Success, More Confidence: With more opportunities to participate and succeed, whether it’s making a pass, scoring a goal, or completing a good defensive play, kids’ confidence grows. Cross-ice hockey gives players a chance to shine in every shift, which boosts their self-esteem and makes them want to keep improving.

Developmentally Proven Success

• Backed by Research: The ADM model is rooted in years of research that shows cross-ice play is the best way for young players to develop their skills. USA Hockey has seen proven results in skill development and player retention because the focus is on building a strong foundation of fundamentals early on, and cross-ice play is a key part of this approach.

Prepares Players for Full-Ice Play Later

• Strong Skill Foundation: Cross-ice hockey helps build a solid foundation of skills and hockey sense that players can carry with them as they progress to full-ice play. The ability to handle tight spaces, make quick decisions, and move with speed and purpose will serve them well as they transition to the larger rink later in their development.