These guidelines will enrich your enjoyment of the hockey season and help you develop into a better hockey player. Hopefully you will develop an attitude around these pointers to make your season a great one!

Respect and adhere to all ideals, policies and rules determined by the C.H.A., the N.L.H.A., the Stephenville Minor Hockey Association, and your team. Respect the rules of the game, opponents, officials and their decisions. Maintain self-control at all times. Attend as many games and practices as reasonably possible. Be present before games and practices in a timely manner. Notify the coach ahead of time if you will be absent. Respect the facilities, either home or away, in which you are privileged to play. Exhibit a high degree of sportsmanship, teamwork and positive attitude at all times when representing your team and the league. Refrain from using foul language towards teammates, coaches, officials or opponents. Accept defeat graciously. Show respect for the decisions, judgment and authority of the officials and timekeepers. Show respect for the feelings and abilities of the players on the other team. Accept the capabilities of other players. Ensure that your equipment is complete, safe and in good condition. Love the game above the prize.

Our mission at HockeyShot is the development and marketing of off ice hockey training products as well as providing to young players educational tips on skating and shooting techniques.

Choosing proper skates is crucial to your child's ability to master the agility required to play the game. The skate is the most important (and often the most expensive) piece of hockey equipment.

Skates are composed of three parts: a boot, a blade holder, and a steel blade. The boot is made of leather, nylon, or moulded plastic. The surface of the steel blade is not flat, but curved inward. The sharpening process carves out the centre of the blade, leaving two sharp surfaces. Keeping your skates sharp helps manoeuvrability and prevents you from catching your blade on the ice, which can lead to leg and knee injuries.

Brand-name skates are your best bet. Make sure the skate has a well-constructed heel and ankle support. Good used skates can be found for as little as $25.00 while the latest high-end brands can run more than $400.00. Different brands have different design characteristics. For instance, if your foot is narrow, the Bauer® models tend to run a little on the narrow side. The CCM® models tend to run a little wider, so they are better for those with wider feet. No matter what model you decide on or how much you pay for them, if they don't fit right, you're wasting your money.

The proper adjustment of skates is essential to get maximum comfort as well as foot and ankle support. Take your time to ensure that you have a proper fit. The skate should fit snugly to your foot without pinching. The skate should provide good ankle support without having to overtighten the laces. Lace both skates and walk around in them for 10 to 15 minutes. This will give them a chance to mould themselves to your feet, giving you a more precise feel for the fit. Shift your weight from side to side. Come up on your toes and back on your heels. Always make sure you can move your toes.

When buying skates, fit is the most important factor. A good quality skate should provide good support, holding the foot in an upright position. A rule of thumb for proper skate size is with the foot slid forward in the boot, there should only be room for one finger to fit between the heel of the foot and the back of the boot.

A well-fitting helmet must feel comfortable and not show any movement when the strap is untied. Always make sure the helmet covers the entire ear area. In order to protect the forehead area, a helmet must be well adjusted, reaching the eyebrow level to within a fingers width. All players must wear only CSA approved helmets. Most models have screws on the side to adjust the size. Chin guards should always be worn; check the snaps frequently to ensure good working condition.

Face shields are designed to protect the face (eyes, nose, mouth and chin), face shields come in three popular styles: plastic visor, wire cage, or a combination of visor and cage. Wearing a helmet with a wire cage mask can protect your eyes from a high stick or a deflected puck. Each type has its own unique advantages and drawbacks based upon the athlete's personal preferences. Wire cages typically last longer but are generally heavier and may provide less initial visibility. Plastic shields are lighter but often tend to fog up in heated action or between shifts. They are also susceptible to scratching and marking over time. In either case, the chin cup should rest comfortably against the young athletes chin with the mouth closed. Remember that not all shields fit all helmets. Although they can be purchased separately, the shield is often sold as a unit with a helmet (from the same manufacturer) ensuring compatibility.

A hockey stick is the main tool of the game. They come in many varieties and styles. The main materials currently used in a hockey stick are:

Wood: This is the traditional stick. Advantages include shock absorption, thus protecting the hands and arms from cumulative trauma. Main disadvantage is weight and less strength. Fiberglass: Advantage is less weight and less breakage. Disadvantage is less shock absorption. Graphite: Graphite is the lightest of the stick materials. Disadvantage is more subject to breakage than fiberglass. In most graphite sticks there is some fiberglass to add strength and stability.

The top of the stick is known as the "butt," which leads down into the shaft (the long stem of the stick). Shafts are typically made of carbon graphite, aluminium, or wood.

Sticks are made for either left- or right-handed players, depending on the curve of the blade. The curvature at the bottom of the shaft is known as the blade. Ensure that the blade of your stick is legal. There are a lot of illegal blades on the market and usually, the curve is the problem. Run a line from the heel of the blade to the toe. If there is more than 1/2 inch of space between the blade face and that line, then the blade may be illegal.

Sticks should have a straight blade for the youngest players until it is determined whether they are right or left-handed. A layer of stick tape over part of the blade helps control the puck.

Sticks need to be fitted for players. Remember the "rule of chin". Stick length is probably the most often asked question by new hockey parents. When your child is standing in street shoes, hold the stick vertical with the blade tip touching the ground, the top of the handle should be between the skaters nose and upper lip. If the child has skates on, the handle should touch the players chin. Mark the stick and cut it.