THE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT RESOURCE ANSWER™
Sharing Starts and the Backup Role must be understood across all four stages of Minor Hockey. GOALIE COACH GAIL™ explains how expectations change with age and why each decision should account for the Player’s readiness, enjoyment, opportunities and development.
U7–U9: Build the foundation
At U7–U9, avoid labelling young Players as permanent backups. Participation and learning should come first.
Practical U7–U9 activity
Ask the Goalie and Coach to identify one decision they can make together about sharing starts and the backup role. Describe what would count as a successful outcome, then choose one manageable action for the next practice or conversation. Review the result without comparing the Player to another child. Adapt the activity to safety, experience and circumstances.
Checkpoint: Can the Goalie explain the choice, the reason for it and what will be reviewed next? If not, simplify the guidance before adding pressure.
U10–U12: Create consistent habits
At U10–U12, use a clear, fair rotation and build confidence through supported games and training.
Practical U10–U12 activity
Ask the Goalie and Coach to identify one decision they can make together about sharing starts and the backup role. Describe what would count as a successful outcome, then choose one manageable action for the next practice or conversation. Review the result without comparing the Player to another child. Adapt the activity to safety, experience and circumstances.
Checkpoint: Can the Goalie explain the choice, the reason for it and what will be reviewed next? If not, simplify the guidance before adding pressure.
U13–U15: Understand the trade-offs
At U13–U15, explore the actual opportunity to play before chasing a Team label; include the Goalie in the conversation.
Practical U13–U15 activity
Ask the Goalie and Coach to identify one decision they can make together about sharing starts and the backup role. Describe what would count as a successful outcome, then choose one manageable action for the next practice or conversation. Review the result without comparing the Player to another child. Adapt the activity to safety, experience and circumstances.
Checkpoint: Can the Goalie explain the choice, the reason for it and what will be reviewed next? If not, simplify the guidance before adding pressure.
U16–U18: Make informed decisions
At U16–U18, if a more established Goalie starts most games, demand clarity about starts, purposeful practice and development review.
Practical U16–U18 activity
Ask the Goalie and Coach to identify one decision they can make together about sharing starts and the backup role. Describe what would count as a successful outcome, then choose one manageable action for the next practice or conversation. Review the result without comparing the Player to another child. Adapt the activity to safety, experience and circumstances.
Checkpoint: Can the Goalie explain the choice, the reason for it and what will be reviewed next? If not, simplify the guidance before adding pressure.
What Hockey Parents and Coaches should remember
Different Goalies develop at different rates. Labels, isolated statistics and promises of future selection are weaker guides than observable progress, qualified instruction and meaningful opportunity. Make important decisions collaboratively and revisit them when conditions change.
How to measure progress
Record one practical behaviour or decision, review it after several sessions and look for a useful pattern. A single successful game does not establish mastery, and one difficult performance should not decide a Player’s future. Keep goals appropriate to the age and the individual.
GOALIE COACH GAIL™ — Takeaway
ONE SUBJECT. FOUR STAGES. AN AGE-APPROPRIATE DECISION.™ The best next step is the one the Goalie can understand and act on now.
LEARN WHEN IT FITS YOUR LIFE.™
