e r i c a n

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Th ment M
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8U
H o
D e at

How to implement 8U Red, White and Blue Hockey Games

Red, White and Blue Hockey is USA Hockey’s version of It’s been proven that kids who begin their hockey training
the cross-ice game. And the benefits are endless. Because in this environment develop a better foundation of skills
without the comfort of open ice, kids have to rely on creative and hockey instincts and enjoy the game more.
ways to stickhandle, skate and outsmart their opponents. For more information, go to admkids.com.

Each game lasts 50–60 minutes. Face-offs after goals and/or tie-ups are recommended,
The goal is to keep the players active every other shift in order but drop the puck quickly instead of waiting for all players
to maximize playing time. to line up in the right position.

Begin with a quick 3-minute warm-up. Rotate teams every 20 minutes to play different opponents.

For 8U kids, keep shifts to 60 seconds. 90 seconds for 6U. At 6U play 3v3 with mini nets (2' x 3') and no goalies. At 8U play
4v4 with intermediate nets (3' x 4.5') and goalies.
Use a running clock buzzer to keep track of time.
Make sure you keep plenty of water bottles by the dividers.
As best as you can, match players with similar ability levels.
Splitting the ice into 3 games or 2 games with a skill zone is
encouraged at both the 6U and 8U levels.

Game Rules
Choose either of the below options, a combination of these of the net and take the puck behind the net before they can
options or any option that follows the Red, White and Blue Hockey attack offensively. No puck dropping, just lots of puck touches
guidelines tailored to fit your unique cross-ice programs and and play time.
game day competition. Playing 4-on-4 half-ice games at the
8U level is also an option. Option 2: Score is kept, but not recorded or posted.
Referees are utilized to facilitate the game. After a goal is
Option 1: Don’t keep track of score or use referees. scored, a quick face-off is used to restart the game. Even with
When one team scores, they must hustle back and touch their the addition of referees and keeping score, the emphasis is still
own post. The team that gets scored on must dig the puck out on maximizing puck touches and playing time.

Key Points
1. Keeping score in cross-ice games should be used only as result in injury or repeated penalty situations for one player,
a tool to enhance the progression of players and create a the referee will escort that player to the coach for further
game environment at 8U. Wins, losses, individual statistics instruction and/or discipline if needed.
and standings should not be a part of 8U hockey.
3. Shift lengths are designed to allow each age group to involve
2. Referees are encouraged to start at 8U. They do not call themselves in play based on their age, size and skill level, as
penalties, but rather help instruct players to follow the well as to begin to introduce a sense of urgency into each shift.
rules. For any flagrant infractions, situations that could
8U 4v4
3 cross-ice games
GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3
Using the principles listed previously,
start with 6 teams and 8 players
per team.
A minimum of 2 coaches per team
is ideal to oversee player rotation.
Goalies play with intermediate- or
regulation-size nets. If there are no
goalies, play with small (2' x 3') nets.
If there aren’t enough teams to play
3 games, create a skill zone in the
middle. A minimum of 2 coaches per
team will oversee skill zone rotation.
Playing 4-on-4 half-ice games at the
8U level is also an option.

Note: Position bumpers to make

3 equal-size zones.

When on the ice, coaches must wear helmets,

6U
regardless if they are on skates or not.
3v3
2 games With skill zone
GAME 1 SKILL ZONE GAME 2
Using the principles listed previously,
start with 4 teams and 9 players 4
8 7 5
per team. 6
Each team creates 3 groups of
9
3 players. Players rotate from game
play to bumper/bench to skill zone
every 90 seconds. 3 1

No goalies and play with small nets.

2
Don’t keep score — just let the kids
play and have fun.
In the skill zone, have extra nets, cones,
blue pucks for kids to experiment in an
unstructured environment or run drills
to work on skill techniques — the same
that you would do in a cross-ice or
station-based practice.
A minimum of 2 coaches per team
is ideal to oversee skill zone and
player rotation. When on the ice, coaches must wear helmets,
If you have more teams, simply play regardless if they are on skates or not.
another game instead of having a
skill zone. Just start with 6 teams
and 6 players per team and proceed
with 3-on-3 game play in all 3 zones.

Note: Position bumpers to make

3 equal-size zones.

Coach Goalies Players Goals Bumpers Cone