Page updated 9/1/22

USA Hockey’s American Development Model (ADM) is an athlete-centered, coach-enhanced, administrator-supported framework that aims to help all individuals realize their athletic potential and utilize sport as a path toward an active and healthy lifestyle. The ADM is based upon key tenets taken from research and best practices in youth sports, human development, coaching, and the sports science that promote sustained physical activity, health & safety, and age-appropriate development.

Recommended guidelines for practice to game ratios, maximum games/game days, and geographic boundaries are designed to increase retention, improve family value (manage costs), and increase skill development. 

RAPIDS & THE ADM

Since 2015 when the Rapids youth hockey club was formalized and sanctioned as a USA Hockey affiliate, the Steering Committee goals have been to implement the ADM guidelines in our program. 

The Coaching Director, ADM Coordinator, and Vice-Chair are responsible for overseeing the Rapids alignment with the ADM guidelines. Questions? Reach out to the Coaching Director or Vice-Chair. 

ADM Explained 1-Sheeter of the Stages

ADM Parent Resources Landing Page (FAQ's, Handbook, Articles, and more...)

ADM Age-Appropriate Hockey 8U through 18U Summaries

Links below to PDF's with specifics at each age level covering things like USA Hockey objectives and focus, tactical skills, physical & psychological development, training and competitive environment, coaching considerations, and more. 

• 8U - FUNdamentals
• 10U/12U- Learning to Train
• 14U/16U - Training to Train
• 18U - Learn to Compete

This concept of long-term athlete development (LTAD) is not new. Historically, concepts around a framework of LTAD were initially developed as early as 1950s. More recently, in the United States, USA Hockey has been at the forefront of LTAD implementation. In 2009, USA Hockey developed and instituted the ADM in part to help with retention and developing better players through age-appropriate training and quality coach education. Given the early success of the USA Hockey ADM, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, in partnership with the National Governing Bodies, adopted tenants of the model in 2014.

1: Active Start Stage (6U & Learn to Skate)

The objective of this stage is to design activities that help children to feel competent and comfortable participating in a variety of fun challenging sports and activities.

The focus is the initiation of fundamental movements including running, jumping, kicking, throwing, catching, swimming, sliding etc. Exposure to a broad base of movement activities.

2: FUNdamentals Stage (Play to Learn, 6U & 8U)

The objective of this stage is to continue to develop fundamental movement skills, general athleticism, and begin to learn and acquire basic hockey skills (skating, puck control, passing and receiving, shooting, body contact, and goaltending). This is the time when a foundation is laid for future acquisition of more advanced movement abilities and hockey skills. A basic understanding of the game is also introduced, including rules and team concepts.

3: Learn to Train (10U & 12U)

At this stage, participants continue to develop movement abilities across multiple sports and in a wide variety of environments. In ice hockey, players continue to increase their attunement to the appropriate environmental cues that allow them greater movement adaptability and hockey sense.

In late specialization sports such as ice hockey, early specialization can be detrimental to later stages of development. Participants should develop a solid base in a variety of sports in each of the physical literacy environments (e.g. swimming, athletics, gymnastics & skiing/skating).

4: Training to Train Stage (14U & 16U)

Good practice and training habits are developed during this stage. On-ice and fitness training programs should be individualized. While formal competition is included, the focus remains on learning the basics through training, with competition results being of secondary importance. Training volume will increase as athletes progress through the stage. Towards the end of this stage, athletes will likely begin to specialize in ice hockey. However, it is still recommended to participate in at least one complementary sport.

Sampling and Specialization: Although it is encouraged that athletes continue to participate in complementary sports for overall athletic development, lifestyle and social aspects, this is also the age when children should have the opportunity to either choose to specialize in a favorite sport or continue in sports at a recreational level. During late adolescent years (15-17) they have developed the physical, cognitive, social and emotional and motor skills needed to invest their effort into highly specialized training in one sport.

5: Learn to Compete Stage (18U & NTDP)

The objective of this stage is to prepare athletes for the competitive environment, continue to refine technical adaptability, ancillary skills and develop the physical attributes.

This is the time to optimize general athleticism and fitness and to begin to specialize in ice hockey. Training should be individualized to the athlete’s particular needs in each facet of performance – technical, tactical, physical and mental, with the understanding that these areas are highly interdependent. During this stage, training volume and intensity increase, so incorporation of recovery methods and monitoring is important. The training season is longer, and event specific. Competitions and tournaments become more important and the focus starts to shift from development to performance. Athletes learn to prepare for competition, and learn to handle competitive pressures in any situation. This is the time to consolidate individual strengths and rectify weaknesses.

6: Train to Compete (20U Juniors and NCAA)

The objective of the Train to Compete stage is to transfer from the training environment to a competitive environment. Players must consolidate technical skills, and maintain ancillary skills and underlying physical capacities (e.g., strength, speed, etc.). The competitive performance should be predictable and appropriate.

During the Train to Compete stage, training volume remains high while intensity increases with the importance of competitions. The training is usually 10 months of the year. Players will usually be required to move away from home for training and competition environments that fit this level of athlete development. The training is individualized to the player’s particular needs in skill development, mental preparation, fitness and recovery. Players need to continue to consolidate individual strengths and rectify weaknesses.

7: Train to Win (International)

The stabilization of on-demand performance characteristics and excellence with the highest level of performance in professional hockey, the world championships and Olympics.

The Train to Win stage is the final phase of athletic preparation. Maturation is complete and all the performance factors should be well-established to optimize performance in national and international competitions. The athletes in this stage will be the performers in the highest level professional league and at the highest international level for the next four years and beyond. It is important to build a winning strategy with these athletes, and to individualize training and recovery programs to prevent overtraining, injury, illness, and under-performance.

8: Hockey For Life

The objective is to enjoy life long physical activity in hockey through participation and recreation. Child participants are encouraged to enjoy the spot, participate for the FUN of the game, experience the benefits of being part of a team and have the opportunity to move into the competitive track if they decide to.

Adult participants are encouraged to make the transition from competitive to recreational hockey, participate in age group competitions, enter sports related careers and give back to the sport through volunteering. A positive experience through sport is the key to retaining athletes after they leave the competitive stream.