Skills Reference

PLAYER

BEGINNER: The First Part

1 = This is your very first time playing hockey. You have no game experience, never been on skates
before and wondering if you should use a right or left handed stick.
2 = You have no organized hockey experience, but do have basic skating skills, you are able to skate
forward and do a basic stop. You have little or no stick-handling abilities.
3 = You have taken a few classes or clinics, but have never played on a team. You have basic skating
skills and stick-handling abilities.
 
NOVICE: A Person New To A Field Or Activity
4 = You have played on a team and you are currently learning rules of play, positioning, and
beginning to learn incorporation of stick handling with skating skills.
5 = You have mastered basic skating skills, and are undertaking intermediate skating skills
(crossovers, forward/backward transitions), progressing with basic puck handling, passing and
shooting, have a basic understanding of rules of play.
 
INTERMEDIATE: Occurring Between Two Extremes
6 = You are comfortable with basic stick handling and passing, you focus on mastering intermediate
skating skills, improving passing and shooting. You are learning strategic concepts such as
breakouts, face offs, power plays and penalty killing.
7 = You are confident with intermediate skating skills, solid passing, and are developing your shot.
You are learning to execute strategic concepts and structured plays, developing the ability to
apply advanced concepts in game situations… Now if I only had a move…
8 = You are confident with intermediate skating skills and have a few basic stick-handling moves
developed. You are comfortable playing either defense and forward.
 
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED: Somewhere Up There
9 = You have mastered intermediate skating skills, are confident in your stick handling abilities. You
have a thorough understanding of the game, and have the ability to execute plays.
10 = You have excellent skating and puck handling abilities, consistently execute plays, and finally
have a few moves.
 
ADVANCED: At a Higher Level Than Others

11 = You’ve mastered advanced skating skills and your mitts are silky smooth. You can nearly always put the puck where you want it. You know the game inside and out.




GOALIE

BEGINNER: The First Part

1 = This is your very first time playing hockey. You have no game experience, never
been on skates before and wondering if you should use a right or left handed stick.

2 = You have no organized hockey experience, but do have basic skating skills, you
are able to skate forward and do a basic stop. You have never faced a shot in net.

3 = You have taken a few classes or clinics, but have never played on a team.
You have basic skating kills and stick-handling abilities. You may have faced a
shot in net, but you have no goalie training.

 

NOVICE: A Person New To A Field Or Activity

4 = You have played on a team and you are currently learning rules of play, positioning,
and are beginning to learn goalie specific skating skills. 

5 = You have mastered basic skating skills, and are undertaking intermediate goalie
skating skills (Shuffles, pad slides, etc.), progressing with basic puck tracking, crease
positioning, and have a basic understanding of rules of play.

 

INTERMEDIATE: Occurring Between Two Extremes

6 = You are comfortable with basic skating and positioning. You focus on mastering
intermediate skills like improving puck tracking, crease positioning, and glove skills.
You are learning strategic concepts such as angles, rebound control, and reading the play.

7 = You are confident with intermediate skating skills, crease positioning, puck tracking,
glove skills and are developing your movement. You are learning to execute strategic concepts
and read structured plays, developing the ability to apply advanced concepts in game situations…
preparing for a shot rather than reacting to one. 

8 = You are confident with intermediate skating skills and have crease movements well developed,
your glove saves feel natural. You can track the puck well and control your rebounds. You are
comfortable facing shots from the slot, the point, or a breakaway.  

 

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED: Somewhere Up There

9 = You have mastered intermediate skills, are confident in your crease movement and puck
tracking abilities, your glove feels like an extension of you. You can spot a shot through a screen
 and can recover to the play quickly after a save. You have a thorough understanding of the game
and have the ability to make saves on most of the shots you face. 

10 = You have excellent abilities. Reading the play is easy, you consistently are in position, and
can track the puck with ease. You have an excellent understanding of the game, and have the
ability to execute saves in any play situation. Shoot out? Bring it on! 

 

ADVANCED: At a Higher Level Than Others

11 = You’ve mastered advanced skills and every Wednesday is Windmill Wednesday.
You can nearly always be where you need to be for a save, you control rebounds, and may
even have a strong poke check up your sleeve. You know the game inside and out.