Special Hockey , sometimes known as Adaptive Hockey, is a version of Ice hockey adapted for athletes with cognitive disorders. It is for cognitive disorders what Sledge or Sledge Hockey is for disorders of mobility.Administratively Special Hockey is managed through Special Hockey International and through national organizations such as the American Special Hockey Association. Teams are typically supported by regional hockey associations, local adaptive athlete programs, user fees, and generous donations from local organizations.
Founded in 2006 Minnesota Hockey's Minnesota Special Hockey Association has 3 teams as of 2009, all in the Twin Cities area. These include the North Polars, West Eagles, and East Stingers.
Advice for Coaches
Learning about players
Special hockey players have a wide range of disabilities and abilities. Some have coexisting mobility or medical disorders, some only cognitive variations. Cognitive disorders may include variations of autism, Attention Deficit Disorder and intellectual disability.
It is useful at the beginning of each session to gather information from athletes and care givers about
- strengths
- areas to focus on
- signs of fatigue, discouragement or frustration
- advice on learning styles
- how best to encourage
Matching game shifts
Special hockey teams have a very wide variety of skills. Some player may even have played in local non-adaptive teams, particularly at a younger age. Some players are very big, others very small. Ages range from 4-5 to 50s.
Coaches work to match shifts between teams. Colored tape on helmets can help remind players which shift they're on and facilitate shift changes. A league standard on the meaning of the tape (ex. rank 1, 2, 3 can help with shift matching)
Non skating players
During early program development many players are unable to skate and the focus must be on teaching skating where applicable. By the second to third year of a team most players will skate and some will skate very well. There will always be players who will sit in chairs with or without skates; a personal coach can move the player to the puck.
Bench support
During games 2-3 bench volunteers may be needed.
Gear adaptations
Players may have difficulty with clothing texture or feel. Some will be reluctant to wear a jock strap or a mouth guard. Special hockey is non-contact so judgment is indicated.
Running a practice
Practices are typically 1 hour long. Most players cannot learn skills of more than 1-2 steps. Drills need to be fun, simple, and adaptive. Minimize the use of language, instead demonstrate. Learn one step at a time.
A typical breakdown is
- free skate 8 min
- stretching 3 min
- play "sharks and minnows" or other game (below) 10 min
- divide into drills (typically 3 levels) 10 min
- scrimmage for remainder 25-30 min (need jersey or other way to identify teams)
- meet at center ice for team cheer
Bench support
During practices station a volunteer on the bench to support and encourage athletes who need a rest. Provide water using personalized bottles with long straws for use with masks.
Volunteers
On a team of 15-20 players there may be 3-5 players who need one-on-one help. For the rest of the team a ration of 2 volunteers to 5-7 players is good. It is reasonable to have 7-9 volunteers in addition to the two coaches. Most volunteers do not need significant hockey skills.
Practice games and drills
Sharks and minnows : Start with 1 coach/volunteer and one skating athlete (the sharks) standing on the blue line and everyone else (minnows) on the goal line. Minnows attempt to reach the other side of ice. If minnows are touched they become sharks. Last minnow is the winner.
Pass around the circle : A group of athletes and volunteers stand on the circumference of a face-off circle by the goal. Start with one puck and pass from person to person. Call names before passing. Add another puck. If players are doing well stop calling names.
Pass and shoot : Players line-up. Start with a skilled person in 1st position. Pass the puck to them. They receive then skate to the empty net and shoot. Rotate. Repeat with passing the puck to a skating person. In advanced version line up in two lines. Pass to one who passes to second who shoots. One line is shooter, one is passer, so on return players switch line. A volunteer will be needed to conduct on entry.
Pass between lines : Line players up. Pass back and forth. See how can get four in a row, six, etc.
Pass off the boards :Players line up. Pass puck to front, then player shoots off boards, recovers pucks, turns and passes to coach.
Go for the rebound :
Conditioning Drills
This is a fun ice hockey drill that will also give your players some conditioning as well. It can be done with 4 or five pucks as well if you really need to get your team in shape.
Coaches Corner
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