9 year olds and positional play

Question
I am a coach with a 9 year old AAA spring hockey team.  This is a team of kids assembled for a 10 week time period.  All players are fairly strong (most would have been among the strongest on their winter teams and have for the most part - except for those now playing defense - have played center - I expect very well).  The teams that we are playing have been together much longer and play a very good positional game.  With 9 centers and 6 Defense - it could be a challenging spring.  We are looking to create some discipline amongst our kids and hopefully allow them to learn a little about the positional game.  Coaching basic break-outs is not a problem but addressing transition and neutral zone play is.  Any thoughts?  Any teaching techniques?

Answer
Hello Patrick...

The first thing we must remember as coaches is we MUST MAKE IT FUN!  No fun - no "game"....

Being only 9 years old - you MUST keep it simple... Unless these boys are ALL die hard hockey fanatics - where they already eat, sleep, breathe hockey (a la Sidney Crosby) chances are, even if they are skilled, they need to have it LIGHT and FUN and SIMPLE!

Another thing that will help you alot is talk to them at their level -- don't assume they know everything you know.  Keep it in "bite size" concepts.   Let them know the WHY's you want things done in a certain way.  Put it in a big picture concept.   Use as many "real life" analogies as you can.   Help them UNDERSTAND.   Motivate them with idea that the better they get skill wise, and the more they play together as a team with a COMMON SYSTEM, the MORE FUN THEY WILL HAVE.   The game will flow with ease, they will be able to contribute and FEEL part of the team's successes.

At this age it's almost more about "packaging" then it is about X's and O's...  

HOPE THIS HELPS!

Keep it simple, light and HAVE FUN!

Martial
PS - Feel free to ask any follow up questions you may want!