SWAT Development Philosophy
The SWAT Development philosophy is focused on Player and Coach skill development and is based on the Hockey Canada Long Term Player Development (LTPD) model.
Our focus is player-based and does not emphasize the importance of wins and losses, but rather of developing player skill, sportsmanship and teamwork.
| Category | Recreational | Alberta One Tier | Elite | |||||
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||
| U7 (Timbits) | No | U7 teams are blended, not tiered | No | |||||
| U9 (Novice) | Yes | Community | Developmental | No | ||||
| U11 (Atom) | Yes | Community | Developmental | Competitive | No | |||
| U13 (Peewee | Yes | Community | Developmental | Competitive | Club* | |||
U13AA/AAA programs are run through South Side Athletic Club (SSAC) and Canadian Athletic Club (CAC), depending on your home address.
The number of practices and games allocated to teams by Hockey Edmonton may vary, based on category and stream of play. SWAT registration fees are based on allocations at the Community stream of play, and additional fees will be applied at higher levels to pay for additional ice time and/or professional instruction. All players are also eligible to register for additional skill development programs offered through SWAT or other providers, at their own expense.
Basic Player Development
All SWAT coaches have access to a base set of skill metrics and practice plans through Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta. These resources identify base skills required at each category and tier, and allow coaches to focus on coaching rather than drawing and trying to find drills that are appropriate. This programming is especially important at the lower tiers where it is sometimes tougher for organizations to find qualified and/or confident coaches. Coaches may develop their own practice plans, and drills/drill progressions corresponding to the skill level of their players, and are encouraged to share these with other coaches.
Skill development sessions (practices) are expected to incorporate all aspects of the game, including skating, puck handling, shooting, positional play and checking. Note that body checking is not allowed at any category or tier within SWAT, but stick checking and body positioning are essential to the game. Coaches are also encouraged to include “fun games” in their practice plans!
As player skill level increases, coaches will build on the base that is established by Hockey Canada and increase the degree of difficulty in skill development sessions.
At Competitive tiers, coaches will frame an entire season for players, to help set the schedule to include on/off-ice training, and allow for power skating to be incorporated into the development plan. SWAT will also provide opportunities for larger development sessions, with participation by teams of equal skill, to maximize ice usage. This will help families to avoid conflicts and provide flexibility for parents to incorporate other sporting activities (e.g., swimming or track) if desired.
Extended Player Development
Extended player development is coordinated through the SWAT Director of Player Development, and is described in more detail here.
Teams in Competitive tiers will be allocated additional player development opportunities, including additional coach-led and professional instruction. Costs for these sessions will require additional payment beyond the base registration fee.
SWAT also offers power skating / skill development programs that are open to players at all tiers, at additional cost. Details on these programs will be provided on the SWAT web site under Development / Player & Goalie Development Programs tab, starting in August 2021.
Additional skill development programs are also available through third party providers.
Coach Development
Coach development is coordinated through the SWAT Director of Coach Development.
SWAT provides coach development through various avenues, including a pre-season all-coach meeting, ongoing networking and support throughout the season, and reimbursement of fees for mandatory and optional coach clinics offered through Hockey Alberta. Coaching peer support is also encouraged and facilitated.
Conclusion
SWAT’s approach to development is based on Hockey Canada’s LTPD program, and follows the Alberta One tiering model and Hockey Edmonton’s Streams of Play guidelines.
Our coach development programs are intended to support our player-based approach, and provide SWAT coaches with the information, tools and support necessary to deliver our player-based programs.
SWAT has adopted a player-based development philosophy that does not focus on wins and losses, but rather on developing player skill, sportsmanship and teamwork. Our hope is that this provides our players with skills that transcend hockey and will have a life-long impact.
Questions regarding SWAT development programs may be addressed to the SWAT Board via vp-evaluations@swat.ca.