Initiation — IN 2A/2B
$275 per Player (Professional individual/team photo keepsake included)
The Initiation 2A/2B program is designed to introduce the players to the game of hockey. For players born 2005 - 2006. (Note: there is not a pre-requisite for registration in IN 2A or IN 2B)
These programs focus on development of forward and backward skating, turning, stopping, puck handling and shooting. Teams of 10 to 12 players are formed. No regular goalies — players rotate through all positions, including goaltender, each shift. Half-ice games are played (i.e. dividers at centre ice separate the ice surface into halves and two games are played at the same time on these half-ice surfaces).
There is a game Saturday and a practice Sunday or vice-versa every weekend from mid-October to mid-March at local arenas (some exceptions may occur).
There is an evaluation skate, usually the first weekend in October, that is used to form the teams in both IN 2A and IN 2B. Following this evaluation skate the teams are created with the focus being on grouping the kids with varying skill level together to form teams of equal strength. This is in conformance with the SWAT tiering policy. The IN 2B teams were formed to provide players that are further advanced in there development an environment to learn the game with players of similar skills. SWAT introduced this system a few years ago to accommodate the growing number of players in the program and the variance in development. The results have strengthened the SWAT hockey program. The players can develop with other players that are similar in maturity and age. The IN 2A program has become stronger as well with this system. The players now are more involved in the games and practices. As was the case before, the players that are now in the IN 2B program tended to dominate the games at the IN 2A level, leading to some players getting discouraged.
IN 2A/2B will consist of the following:
- Emphasis on skating
- Learn basic hockey skills
- Introduction to team concept
- Half-ice games and practices
The IN 2B program is designed to have half ice games for the first part of the season and, if available, full ice games are played for the remainder of the season.
NOTE: For more information on the SWAT IN 2A or IN 2B division, contact the Initiation Category Director at: initiation@swat.ca