June 3-5, 2005 - 12/U travel team came in 1st place in a USA regional tournament in Lafayette, Louisiana.

April 29 - May 1, 2005 -- Congratulations to our 12/U team for coming in 2nd place in ECHO in Gulfport, Mississippi.  Congratulations to Josh Lumpkin he received MVG of the tournament.

For any dry land practice sessions, we meet at the park across the street from the airline skate center and at the entrance to Zephyr Field.  Players should dress prepared to run, etc. That means wear running shoes, shorts and t-shirt.  Also, bring stick, gloves, practice jersey, and water bottle.

The Coach for the U-12 age bracket is Andrew H. Goodman. His contact information is:

Andy Goodman
E-mail: ahgoodman@lemle.com
Telephone: 504-621-3159

NOTICE TO: Players & Parents of the CCHL U-12 Travel Team
From: Andy Goodman, Coach

Date: February 28, 2005

RE: Season Overview & Tournament Play

This memorandum addresses issues surrounding practice expectations and player selection for tournament and league play in connection with our team.

You Play Like You Practice

First and foremost is the importance of practice. Our practices demand a high level of effort, energy and commitment. There is no doubt that our practices are the best opportunity for all players to hone skills and develop new tools. However, our team practice is limited and every player would benefit from working on individual skills away from the rink, alone and in groups. I am happy to provide advice and guidance in this regard. To get the most out of practices, and to excel in the tournament selection process, player should arrive early for practice accompanied with the proper energy and preparation to focus for the duration of the particular practice session on the drills and systems presented.

Selection For Tournaments

The CCHL has selected certain tournaments in which our team will compete this season. Further, our team will also participate in Steamy South (SSIHL) games this season. The schedule of CCHL tournaments and SSIHL games is posted on the CCHL website.

Approximately one week prior to each tournament, I will select the players invited to play in that particular tournament. For each tournament I will select 10 skaters and 2 goalies. This means that every player will not be going to every tournament. To be certain, player evaluations will be continuous throughout the season.

Player selections will be based upon the following criteria: (1) Attendance at practices; (2) Effort exerted at practices and in games; (3) Attitude demonstrated at practices and in game/tournament situations; and (4) Skill/IMPROVEMENT demonstrated and developed in practices and in games.

Once selections are completed for a particular tournament, the evaluation process begins anew for the next tournament. (This means that if a player is not selected to go to a tournament, I immediately begin evaluating him again for the next tournament, even before we play in the first tournament.) Players and Parents should familiarize themselves with the List of Player Expectations circulated in connection with this memorandum.

At tournaments, playing time is distributed based upon performance. Those players that are playing best within our team system will play more. Again, please refer to the List of Player Expectations to see how I evaluate game play.

Steamy South Play

In the middle of the season we will begin 3 weekends of SSIHL play. Each weekend of SSIHL play is comprised of one-day (either Saturday or Sunday) that is filled with 3 or 4 games against league competition. SSIHL games are an excellent opportunity for players to refine their individual and team skills in a competitive game environment. For players who have not had significant tournament experience over the course of the season, SSIHL represents an invaluable opportunity. Further, I will place an emphasis on playing time for these players.

I am approachable in person by players and parents alike. Also, please feel free to contact me through the email address and telephone number listed on the CCHL website. I do request that you let me know via email or telephone (preferably at least 24 hours in advance) if a player is going to be absent from a practice or game.

Illustrative List of Player Expectations

Practices – In General

-on the floor on time and with proper equipment
-efficient/effective practice means know the drills by name
-accept and implement instruction
-work towards an orderly operation
-compete every drill, every situation (don’t coast)
-work to improve upon every repetition of every drill
-attention to detail(s) improves individual skills which in turn improves overall team play

Players

-skate with head up, stick down on floor
-communicate with you teammates
-lead teammates with your passes
-skate to the pass, skate to open space to create opportunities (find the passing lane), don’t glide
-wrist-shots and snap-shots emphasized over slap-shots
-in general, shoot low, low stick-side is the highest percentage scoring shot
-move without the puck
-go hard, don’t coast

Goalies

-hardest workers, need to one of the best skaters on the team
-strong positioning
-proficient movement
-on the angle stop the first shot
-eliminate "medium" goals
-get-up and recover quickly
-compete, every drill, every situation, every sprint
-accept and implement instruction
-supportive of all teammates

Defensive Zone Play

-man-on-man in the defensive zone
-stops and starts (stop on/in front of the man, no sweeping turns)
-play the man, not the puck
-do not sweep at the puck, play the body
-skates parallel to those of opponent
-coverage between opponent and the net
-tie-up the opponent’s stick; take away passing lanes

Breakout

-goalie loudly instruct teammates
-one D behind the net
-one D and one F on the half boards
-one F high in motion, moving to strong side

Offensive Zone Play

-first F into zone goes hard to the puck
-second F positioned off his inside shoulder
-D are 90 degrees
-constant movement
-wrist shots
-stop and crash the net for rebounds
-play hard until the whistle

Transition Game

-turnover against: head up and three hard strides to your own net
-be the first man to all loose pucks, and skate past the puck

Special Teams – Penalty Kill

-proper position in zone play
-one hand on the stick on the kill
-if the puck is on your stick, it must get to the other end of the floor

Special Teams – Power Play

-two players on the puck when opposition has possession
-constant motion
-precise passing and accurate shooting (get the puck on net)
-prevent clearing attempts

Game Situations

-prepared with correct energy
-in games keep your feet moving at all times (don’t stand still)
-players on the bench are always ready (including equipment)
-identify opponents’ weakness
-players know when to change
-players know who you replace
-players are always positive on the bench (e.g. no criticism of others)
-no expression of disagreement with officials (talking with refs is coach’s job, not player’s)
-avoid offensive zone penalties
-compete every shift, every situation
-respectful behavior at all times (including at the rink, restaurants, hotels, etc.)

Nutrition

-body runs on fuel ingested 48 hrs before
-hydrate effectively (practices do not stop for water breaks) – water bottles available in penalty box area on steps – getting a drink should not and will not disrupt the flow of practice
-eat smart before practices and games
-replenish smart within 45 mins of play
-good choices: lean protein: poultry, fish; carbs; fruits; vegetables; smoothies; energy bars
-poor choices: soda, fried food, candy
-avoid dairy products 3 hrs prior to competition