STICK DOWN. BE READY.™ is a simple instruction, but the meaning should keep changing as the female Hockey Player develops. At U5, the lesson is simply to make the blade available. By Junior, stick position becomes part of scanning, body position, timing, role execution and pressure recognition.
Coach Jane™ teaches the same serious Hockey fundamentals expected of any developing Player. The difference is that the female Player’s development pathway deserves its own complete teaching, not a shortened version of somebody else’s lesson.
COACHING IS TEACHING™
LEARN BEFORE YOU TEACH.™ A Coach should understand the skill, why it matters, what commonly goes wrong and what mastery actually looks like before asking a Player to perform it.
EXPOSURE IS NOT LEARNING.™ Hearing “stick down” once is exposure. Completing one drill is exposure. Even executing the skill correctly once is not mastery.
A LESSON IS NOT TAUGHT UNTIL IT IS LEARNED.™ The Player should be able to repeat the habit, recognize when it matters, apply it under increasing pressure and eventually execute it without constant reminders.
The development sequence is simple:
- Understand the lesson.
- Practise without pressure.
- Add movement.
- Add decision-making.
- Add pressure.
- Recognize mastery.
- Then move on.
AGE MATTERS. PROGRESSION MATTERS. PRACTICE MATTERS.™
Coach Jane™ Development Path
U5 • U6 • U7 • U8 • U9 • U10 • U11–U12 • U13–U14 • U15–U16 • U17–U18 • Junior
U5 — Discover What “Ready” Means
At U5, the Player is learning to skate, balance, stop, turn and understand where the puck is. The stick should not become another complicated technical demand. The first lesson is simply to make the blade part of the play.
Use one cue: “Put your stick where the puck can find you.” Let the Player glide toward a puck, place the blade beside it and move it a short distance. Then introduce a gentle pass over only a few feet.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U5
Demonstrate slowly. Let the Player copy the action. Keep the distance short enough that success happens often. Praise the moment the blade becomes available without another reminder.
U5 Practice
Two Players, one puck, short distance. One Player gently pushes the puck toward the other Player’s blade. Switch roles quickly so nobody waits long.
Common U5 Mistake
The Player watches the puck but forgets the stick. Do not shout from across the ice. Reset the demonstration and let the Player try again.
How to Recognize U5 Mastery
The Player begins placing the blade near the puck without needing a reminder every time.
When to Move On
Advance when the Player can repeat the action comfortably while staying balanced and engaged.
U5 takeaway: PUT YOUR STICK WHERE THE PUCK CAN FIND YOU.™
U6 — Show the Passer a Target
At U6, the Player can begin understanding that the stick communicates. A visible blade tells a teammate: “I am available.”
The lesson now becomes more intentional. The Player presents the blade toward the passer while remaining balanced enough to continue skating.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U6
Show the Player what the passer can actually see. Rotate the blade away, then toward the passer, and ask which target is easier to hit.
U6 Practice
Partner passing over a short distance. The receiver must present the blade before the pass is released. After several repetitions, both Players move to a new location and repeat.
Common U6 Mistake
The stick is on the ice, but the blade points away from the passer. Correct the angle rather than simply repeating “stick down.”
How to Recognize U6 Mastery
The Player begins showing a usable target before most passes arrive.
When to Move On
Add more movement when the Player can present the blade consistently without losing balance.
U6 takeaway: SHOW YOUR TEAMMATE A TARGET.™
U7 — Stay Ready While Moving
At U7, the Player should start carrying the habit into movement. The goal is no longer “stick down while standing.” The goal is “stick ready while skating.”
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U7
Connect skating and readiness in one simple activity. The Player glides to open space, presents the blade and receives a short pass.
U7 Practice
Pass, move to a cone, show the blade, receive again. Keep the pattern simple enough that the Player can focus on the habit rather than memorizing choreography.
Common U7 Mistake
The Player passes and then watches. Reinforce that moving the puck does not end involvement in the play.
How to Recognize U7 Mastery
The Player moves after a pass and becomes available again without being prompted every time.
When to Move On
Advance when the Player can combine movement, target presentation and simple reception under light game-like pressure.
U7 takeaway: MOVE. GET OPEN. BE READY AGAIN.™
U8 — Receive Without Stopping the Play
At U8, stick readiness should connect directly to receiving in motion. The Player begins learning that the puck can arrive without forcing a complete stop.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U8
Start with a slow glide and a gentle pass. Keep the first goal simple: control the puck while preserving some movement.
U8 Practice
The receiver glides through a wide lane while a teammate sends a short pass. The Player controls the puck and continues for several strides.
Common U8 Mistake
The Player stops completely before every reception. Reduce speed and teach the reception inside the glide.
How to Recognize U8 Mastery
The Player can receive a manageable pass without automatically freezing the feet.
When to Move On
Add different pass angles only after the Player can maintain control while moving.
U8 takeaway: RECEIVE IT WITHOUT ENDING YOUR MOMENTUM.™
U9 — Adjust the Blade to the Pass
At U9, the Player should begin understanding that not every pass arrives from the same direction or at the same speed.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U9
Teach the Player to soften the hands and match the blade angle to the puck. A pass from the side should not be received exactly like a pass coming straight ahead.
U9 Practice
Use three stations: forehand-side pass, backhand-side pass and straight-ahead pass. Let the Player compare how the blade and body position change.
Common U9 Mistake
The Player reaches with the arms instead of adjusting the body and blade together. Slow the drill and restore balance.
How to Recognize U9 Mastery
The Player can control passes from several directions without the puck bouncing away repeatedly.
When to Move On
Advance when the Player can adjust automatically to basic pass direction and speed.
U9 takeaway: MATCH YOUR STICK TO THE PASS.™
U10 — Look Before the Puck Arrives
At U10, readiness should begin connecting to awareness. The Player can start scanning nearby space before the puck arrives.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U10
Ask one question: “Where can you go next?” The scan must have a purpose. Looking around without gathering information is not the objective.
U10 Practice
Use two gates. Before the pass arrives, the Coach identifies which gate is available. The Player scans, receives and moves through the correct option.
Common U10 Mistake
The Player performs repeated head turns without knowing what was seen. Ask the Player to name the open space.
How to Recognize U10 Mastery
The Player begins using a quick scan to make the first action after reception faster and more purposeful.
When to Move On
Add light defensive pressure once the Player can scan and execute without losing basic puck control.
U10 takeaway: LOOK EARLY. RECEIVE READY.™
U11–U12 — Prepare Before the Pass Starts
At U11–U12, Hockey speed increases and pressure closes faster. The Player should now prepare the blade before the puck is released.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U11–U12
Teach support as a complete picture: route, body position, blade position and awareness. A Player can be open and still be a poor passing option if the target is hidden.
U11–U12 Practice
Three-Player support triangle. The receiving Player scans, presents the blade and guides the first touch toward the next option.
Common U11–U12 Mistake
The Player waits until the puck is near the skates before preparing the stick. Freeze the drill and show how much earlier the target should appear.
How to Recognize U11–U12 Mastery
The Player becomes a visible support option before the puck carrier is forced into trouble.
When to Move On
Add more pressure when preparation appears consistently before the pass is released.
U11–U12 takeaway: BE READY BEFORE THE PASS STARTS.™
U13–U14 — Use the First Touch for the Next Play
At U13–U14, the first touch should increasingly serve a purpose. A good reception should help create the next pass, carry, shot or protection play.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U13–U14
Ask the Player what the reception is supposed to accomplish. Receiving cleanly is not enough if the puck finishes in a position that kills the next option.
U13–U14 Practice
Add a passive defender who removes one lane after the pass is released. The receiver must guide the puck into the safer space.
Common U13–U14 Mistake
The Player receives first and thinks second. Build the scan before the pass and connect it to the first touch.
How to Recognize U13–U14 Mastery
The Player’s reception increasingly creates time or space instead of simply stopping the puck.
When to Move On
Increase pressure when the Player can make purposeful first touches against predictable pressure.
U13–U14 takeaway: YOUR FIRST TOUCH SHOULD HELP THE NEXT PLAY.™
U15–U16 — Make Stick Position Fit the Role
At U15–U16, readiness becomes role-specific. A winger on the wall, a centre supporting low and a Defenceman at the blue line may all need different targets and body positions.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U15–U16
Move beyond generic commands. “Open your blade to the middle” or “show the inside target” gives the Player something specific to execute.
U15–U16 Practice
Use role-specific breakout and offensive-zone situations. Ask the Player to explain what target was being offered and why.
Common U15–U16 Mistake
The Player follows a memorized spot without reading pressure. Keep the Team structure but teach adjustment within the structure.
How to Recognize U15–U16 Mastery
The Player’s stick and body position begin matching the actual job required by the play.
When to Move On
Add faster pressure and more variable reads when role-specific readiness remains consistent.
U15–U16 takeaway: MAKE YOUR STICK FIT YOUR ROLE IN THE PLAY.™
U17–U18 — Use Readiness to Create Time
At U17–U18, readiness should reduce the amount of time needed after the puck arrives. The Player should prepare earlier because the game no longer allows many extra touches.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches U17–U18
Teach earlier preparation rather than simply demanding faster hands. The backhand, hip position, shoulder check and blade angle may all need to be prepared before the pass.
U17–U18 Practice
Use game-speed possession drills with limited time after reception. Reward early scanning and first touches that create another option.
Common U17–U18 Mistake
The Player executes the skill correctly but too late for the level. Shift the coaching focus from speed after reception to preparation before reception.
How to Recognize U17–U18 Mastery
The Player can receive under pressure and still preserve or create an option with minimal delay.
When to Move On
Advance when the Player can handle variable pressure without losing the habit or reverting to panic touches.
U17–U18 takeaway: PREPARE EARLY ENOUGH TO CREATE TIME.™
Junior — Make Stick Readiness Part of the Complete Read
At Junior, stick readiness is no longer a separate technique. It is part of the Player’s total read of pressure, support, Team structure, time and space.
How Coach Jane™ Teaches Junior
Use specific tactical feedback. The Player should understand why a certain target, blade angle or body position fits the situation rather than simply reproducing a drill pattern.
Junior Practice
Use competitive transition and small-area situations where pressure changes. The Player must scan before receiving and execute the next decision immediately.
Common Junior Mistake
The Player technically receives the puck well but has not solved the pressure. Review the information that should have been gathered before the puck arrived.
How to Recognize Junior Mastery
The Player can adjust the reception to pressure, role and Team structure without waiting for the Coach to dictate the exact solution.
When to Move On
At this stage, “moving on” means increasing complexity and consistency, not abandoning the fundamental. The skill remains part of the Player’s game permanently.
Junior takeaway: YOUR STICK SHOULD ALREADY MATCH THE PLAY YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE.™
How the Lesson Progresses
- U5: Make the stick part of the play.
- U6: Show the passer a target.
- U7: Stay ready while moving.
- U8: Receive without stopping the play.
- U9: Adjust the blade to the pass.
- U10: Scan before the puck arrives.
- U11–U12: Prepare before the pass starts.
- U13–U14: Use the first touch for the next play.
- U15–U16: Make stick position fit the Player’s role.
- U17–U18: Use readiness to create time.
- Junior: Make readiness part of the complete read.
What Coaches Must Understand Before Teaching This
The Player does not need more information simply because the Coach knows more information. The Coach’s job is to select the lesson the Player is ready to learn now.
DON’T TEACH MORE. TEACH BETTER.™
Repeat the lesson until it survives movement. Then repeat until it survives decision-making. Then repeat until it survives pressure. Only then increase the expectation.
What Parents Should Understand
Repetition is not a sign that development has stopped. Repetition is often how development becomes reliable.
A useful Parent question is: “What are you learning to do better?” That supports the Player’s ownership of the lesson without turning the ride home into another practice.
Keep Learning With Coach Jane™
Stick readiness connects directly to receiving and support play. Continue with Receive the Pass in Motion and Look Before You Pass.
For age-appropriate development resources, Coaches can also review Hockey Canada’s U7 skill-development resources.
COACH JANE™ TAKEAWAY
STICK DOWN. BE READY.™
The words stay simple. The expectation should keep developing.
LEARN BEFORE YOU TEACH.™
A LESSON IS NOT TAUGHT UNTIL IT IS LEARNED.™
ONE LESSON. ONE INSTRUCTION. ONE TAKEAWAY.™
