Age categories and ice formats in ice hockey

ICE HOCKEY TRAINING Reading time : 10 min Updated October 14, 2026
Contents
There is not one age ladder in ice hockey, there are several, and they do not line up. In 2026/27 the SIHF plays on an even ladder (U9, U12, U14, U16, U18, U21), in place since 2025/26; the FFHG, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey play on odd ladders. A child born in 2013 is U14 in Switzerland, U15 in France and at Hockey Canada, 14U at USA Hockey. For the youngest, the rules also write the ice surface: a sixth, a quarter, a third or half of the rink.

Four ladders, one birth year

The figure sets the same children out by birth year. The categories read down each column; the SIHF column is offset from the other three.

Age categories · 2026/27 season

The same children, four ladders

One row per birth year. The SIHF ladder is even; the other three are odd.

Four ice hockey age-category ladders for the 2026/27 season, set against birth years from 2006 to 2021. A vertical axis carries the birth years from 2006 to 2021 and four columns give the categories. Hockey Canada: U21 for 2006 to 2008, U18 for 2009 to 2011, U15 for 2012 and 2013, U13 for 2014 and 2015, U11 for 2016 and 2017, U9 for 2018 and 2019, U7 for 2020 and later. USA Hockey: 18U for 2008 and 2009, 16U for 2010 and 2011, 14U for 2012 and 2013, 12U for 2014 and 2015, 10U for 2016 and 2017, 8U for 2018 and 2019, 6U for 2020. FFHG: senior for 2006 and earlier, U20 for 2007 and 2008, U18 for 2009 to 2011, U15 for 2012 and 2013, U13 for 2014 and 2015, U11 for 2016 and 2017, U9 for 2018 and later. SIHF: U21 for 2006 and younger up to 2008, U18 for 2009 and 2010, U16 for 2011 and 2012, U14 for 2013 and 2014, U12 for 2015 to 2017, U9 for 2018 and younger. Born Hockey Canada USA Hockey FFHG France SIHF Switzerland 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 U21 U18 U15 U13 U11 U9 U7 18U 16U 14U 12U 10U 8U 6U Senior U20 U18 U15 U13 U11 U9 U21 U18 U16 U14 U12 U9

Sources: FFHG, ALM annex 1 2026/27; SIHF, Jahrgänge NAFS 2026/27 of 10.09.2026; USA Hockey, Age Classifications 2026-27. Hockey Canada: years calculated from the age on 31 December 2026, which it publishes. Hockey Québec is not drawn: it still prints the M7 to M18 labels and its 2026-27 table could not be read.

Each federation counts age in its own way, and that is part of the rule:

FederationHow age is counted
Hockey Canadaage on 31 December of the season
Hockey Québecyear of birth, 1 January to 31 December
USA Hockeyyear of birth
FFHGthe real category “J” is 2027 minus the birth year (season 2026/27); the sporting categories “U” group several J
SIHF2027 minus the Jahrgang (the birth year): the birth year decides, not the date
ÖEHVlists of birth years with one older cohort tolerated (three players at most)
England Ice Hockeyyear of birth, with an “Age as of 31/12/2026” column

Three label changes to know before reading an older document. Hockey Canada renamed its divisions for 2025-26: Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam and Midget became U9, U11, U13, U15 and U18 (“only the names will change”). The SIHF replaced its odd ladder with the even one through the “Impact +1” decision of the clubs at the three regional assemblies of 1 June 2024; the first season is 2025/26. The FFHG has no U17 category in 2026/27. Hockey Québec still prints the M7 to M18 categories in its 2026-27 guide; the press (The Suburban, 11 February 2026) reports U7 to U22 labels for 2026-27, which no Hockey Québec document read confirms.

The reference rink

The fractions of ice are counted on a rink 60 m long and 26 to 30 m wide. That is the IIHF rulebook's rink; Hockey Canada and USA Hockey print, in feet, an NHL-derived rink whose lines do not fall in the same places.

Rink · IIHF 2026/27

The IIHF rink, to scale

The published measurements are written as printed. The two marked “derived” are subtractions.

Plan of an ice hockey rink seen from above, to scale, with the measurements published by the IIHF. The rink is 60 metres long and, here, 30 metres wide (the rule allows 26 to 30 metres). The goal lines are 4.0 metres from the end boards. The two blue lines are 22.5 metres from the end boards, which is 18.5 metres from the goal lines (derived), and leave a neutral zone of 15.0 metres between them (derived). The centre line cuts the rink in two, with the centre circle of 4.50 metres radius. In each end zone, two face-off spots are 6.0 metres from the goal line and 7.0 metres either side of the long axis, each in a circle of 4.50 metres radius. Four more spots are in the neutral zone, 1.50 metres from each blue line. A goal 1.83 metres wide is centred on each goal line. 6.0 m 7.0 m goal line blue line centre line 60 m 4.0 m 18.5 m, derived 15.0 m, derived 18.5 m, derived 4.0 m

26 to 30 m (drawn at 30 m)

Source: IIHF Official Rulebook 2026/27, Rules 1.2, 1.5 and 1.9, Appendix VI p. 224. The neutral-zone spots are 1.50 m from each blue line.

ItemIIHF 2026/27Hockey Canada and USA Hockey
Goal line4.0 m from the end boards11 ft (3.35 m)
Blue line22.5 m from the end boards, which is 18.5 m from the goal line (derived)64 ft (19.51 m) from the goal line
End-zone face-off spots6.0 m from the goal line, 7.0 m from the axis20 ft (6.09 m) from the goal line, 22 ft (6.71 m) from the axis
Face-off circle4.50 m radius15 ft (4.57 m) radius
Small rink26 to 30 m wide; the SIHF allows 56 x 26 m at the smallest for all youth gamesunder 185 ft (56.39 m) long, the blue lines divide the distance between the goal lines into three equal areas (Hockey Canada Rule 1.3)

A diagram drawn for one federation is wrong by close to a metre for another. Use the rulebook of the federation whose games you play.

Reduced ice, written into the rules

Ice is the scarce resource, so the federations wrote the surface into the youngest categories' rules. The FFHG states its aim as “more players concerned by the puck”; the SIHF puts equal playing shares in the preamble of its U9 and U12 regulation.

Youth formats · ice surface

A sixth, a quarter, a third, half

Four rinks of the same proportion, cut the way the rules prescribe. The fields in play are shaded.

Four rinks seen from above, cut into sixths, quarters, thirds and two halves, with the playing fields of the youngest categories. First rink: cut into six equal rectangles, three along the length and two across the width. This is the FFHG école de hockey, each space 20 by 15 metres on a 60 by 30 metre rink. Second: cut into four equal bands along the length, each 15 metres long across the full width. This is the SIHF quarter of the ice at U9, 30 by 15 metres or smaller, two to four fields playing at once. Third: cut into three bands, the two end bands played at the same time and the middle band used as the change zone. This is the SIHF third of the ice at U12, 30 by 20 metres or smaller, and the FFHG U9 to U13 tournaments. Fourth: cut into two halves that each play a game. This is Hockey Canada half-ice at U9 and Hockey Québec at M9. A sixth of the ice École de hockey, FFHG20 x 15 m on 60 x 30 mup to 6 game spaces A quarter, across U9, SIHF, 3 on 330 x 15 m or smaller2 to 4 fields at once A third, across U12, SIHF:30 x 20 m or smallerU9 to U13, FFHG:a third, both end zones Half of the ice U9, Hockey Canada:100 x 85 ft at mostM9, Hockey Québec:8,500 sq ft at most

Sources: FFHG, Fair Play’Zir 2026/27, par. 1.1, and cahier U9 U11 U13 2026/27, part 1; SIHF, Reglement Spielbetrieb NAFS 2026/27, Art. 109; Hockey Canada, U7 and U9 pages; Hockey Québec, Guide des opérations M9.

Federation, categorySurfaceOn the iceChanges
Hockey Canada U7cross-ice all season, 100 x 60 ft at most4-on-4 plus a player defending goal (goaltender kit not required)buzzer or whistle, on the fly; shift of 2 minutes at most
Hockey Canada U9half-ice, 100 x 85 ft at most; full ice possible from 26 December, each Member decides4-on-4 plus a goaltender in full equipment; 18 players recommendedtimed changes; 2 minutes at most, 60 seconds recommended
Hockey Québec M9half-ice, 8,500 sq ft at most4-on-4 plus a goaltender; 7 to 13 players a teamshifts of 90 to 120 seconds, siren or whistle
FFHG école de hockeya sixth: 20 x 15 m on 60 x 30 m2-on-2 or 3-on-3, with educational spacesnot read
FFHG U9, U11 (tournament)a third, across the width of the two end zones, rink of 56 x 26 m or more4-on-4 plus a goaltender; blocks of 4 or 5“Entrée et sortie de l’aire de jeu simultanées à la sonnette, palet laissé libre”: 60 seconds
FFHG U13 (tournament)a third3-on-3 plus a goaltender; blocks of 3 or 4“volants”, free
FFHG U11, U13 (match)full ice; 2 x 27 minutes5-on-5 plus one or two goaltendersU11: 60 seconds on the buzzer; U13: free
SIHF U9a quarter, across: 30 x 15 m or smaller, two to four fields at once3-on-3, goaltender optional by agreement; nine players and one or two goaltenders, in three blocksa horn every 60 seconds, whole blocks, puck left, no passes, no double shifts
SIHF U12a third, across: 30 x 20 m or smaller; U12-1 “Intro to Full-Ice”: 5-on-5 on the full ice3-on-3 plus a goaltender; in 5-on-5, 15 players and 2 goaltenders recommended, no power play or penalty kill, no body checking60 seconds on the horn
ÖEHV U11across the two end zones3-on-3 plus a goaltender; three blocks at most, armbandsmandatory change on the fly every 60 seconds, acoustic signal
ÖEHV U9, U10across the width4-on-4 at most, no body contactmandatory change after 90 seconds
England Ice Hockey U10cross-ice or half-ice, mandatory4-on-4 (small rink) or 5-on-5; 12 players and a netminder at least for 4-on-4on the buzzer only; 60 seconds at most
USA Hockey 8Ucross-ice or half-ice (rule quoted by an affiliate; the national rule number was not found)9 to 13 players a team, no full-time goaltendersnot read

The move to full ice is written differently in each place. At the FFHG, U11 play 70 to 75% third-ice tournaments and 25 to 30% full-ice matches, U13 15 to 25% and 75 to 85%. At the SIHF, the U12 “Intro to Full-Ice” form is capped by a recommendation of 20 to 30% of a player's appearances (“empfehlen wir dringend”). At Hockey Canada, each Member decides whether U9 move to full ice from 26 December, and the rule is not in the 2026-2028 Playing Rules but in the U9 pages and pathway.

What these formats take out of the game

A reduced format is not smaller hockey: the rules remove whole parts of the game, and a coach who prepares the youngest on “real” hockey rehearses what does not exist at their age.

  • Off-side and icing: removed at Hockey Canada U7 and U9, at Hockey Québec M9 and in the FFHG third-ice tournaments (“Aucune règle de hors-jeu et de dégagement interdit”, the FFHG writes); the SIHF removes off-side in its 3-on-3 formats.
  • Almost never a power play: at Hockey Canada U7 and U9 the foul is noted and the player sits out the next shift, the team staying at full strength; at Hockey Québec M9 and at the FFHG U9 and U11 the player goes out until the change and is replaced; a penalty shot replaces the short-handed minutes at the SIHF U9 and U12 and at the FFHG U13 on a third. The exception read is the ÖEHV U11: the penalised side plays one skater short until the next mandatory change.
  • No result: no score is kept at Hockey Canada U7 and U9 or at Hockey Québec M9; the SIHF writes that there is no game report and no result is communicated at U9 and U12; the FFHG shows no score and gives no points at U9.
  • The goaltender: at the FFHG, in U9, U11 and U13 tournaments and in U11 matches, the goaltender may not be removed for an extra skater (in U13 matches, they may).

The drills of this guide

The four drills that take up these formats, with their surface written on the card. Every drill in the library carries its surface: a station, a zone, a quarter, a third, half-ice, full ice or off-ice.

3 on 3 across a quarter of the ice (SIHF U9 and U12 format)Top-down view of a field across the ice, 30 m wide and 15 m deep, closed by the side boards left and right. A goal at each end, with its goaltender, 100 cm from the boards. Three gold skaters (one with the puck) against three navy skaters in the middle of the field.30 m15 mgoals 100 cmfrom the boards
goaltenderskateropponent

3 on 3 across a quarter of the ice (SIHF U9 and U12 format)

The SIHF small-ice game: three skaters against three, plus a goaltender each, across the width of a quarter of the rink for U9 and a third for U12, with a horn every 60 seconds and whole blocks changing on the fly.

u9u13 Cross-ice quarter Skaters and goaltender high 20 min
Drill detail
Set out
A field of 30 x 15 m or smaller across the width · goals with the back edge 100 cm from the side boards, no goal line · a horn every 60 seconds
What it trains
The SIHF small-ice game at U9: three skaters against three, plus a goaltender each, across the width of a quarter of the rink. Whole blocks change on the fly, and the change rules make equal ice time structural.
Published frame
Every block plays the same time, with no double shifts: on the horn the whole block changes on the fly, the outgoing block leaves the puck, no passes at the change.
How it runs
The SIHF small-ice game: three skaters against three, plus a goaltender each, across the width of a quarter of the rink for U9 and a third for U12, with a horn every 60 seconds and whole blocks changing on the fly. The change rules make equal ice time structural. A field of 30 x 15 m or smaller across the width for U9 (four fields to a rink, two to four in use); 30 x 20 m or smaller for U12 (three fields); goals with the back edge 100 cm from the side boards and no goal line; blue light pucks and small « Kids 80 » goals for U9; change zones in the corners or beside the field, set by the organiser. Squad of 9 skaters and 1 to 2 goaltenders so that three blocks can rotate. Teams of three play 3 against 3 with a goaltender each (goaltenders may be left out by agreement, with small training goals). A horn sounds every 60 seconds: the whole block changes on the fly, the outgoing block leaves the puck, there are no passes at the change, and the new block plays on without delay. No double shifts. A foul gives a penalty shot instead of a player disadvantage. No offside; no result is communicated.
Players
6 or more, including 2 goaltenders
Coaching points
Body charges, checks into the boards and frontal body attacks are to be sanctioned by the coaches; a shove in the fight for the puck is allowed (SIHF Art. 87.3, 116). A slap shot is a small penalty in this format. No special coaching or forcing of the best players: every block gets the same share (SIHF Art. 112, 113); no double shifts unless fewer than two full blocks. Equal ice time: Hockey Canada (U7, U9, U11) does not permit shortening the bench to win and asks for as close to equal ice time as possible for players and goaltenders; Hockey Québec M9 requires equal ice time; the FFHG (third-ice) and the SIHF (U9, U12) make every block play the same time. The SIHF's U12 « Intro to Full-Ice » 5 on 5 has no power play, no penalty kill and no checks. Kit: a certified helmet with full face protection for juniors (U18 and younger by birth year at the FFHG, the SIHF and the DEB; every division at Hockey Canada except Senior and Major Junior, and all players at Hockey Québec; below Adults at USA Hockey) and a neck laceration protector (all FFHG categories; all SIHF leagues, training included; BNQ-certified in Hockey Canada minor and female hockey and for all players at Hockey Québec; every USA Hockey classification except Adults). Mouthguard: required by USA Hockey from 12U to 18U and by the FFHG in U19 and U20, optional at Hockey Québec. Goaltender kit: a helmet with a mask a puck cannot penetrate and, for U18 and younger, a stick blade must not penetrate it either (IIHF, SIHF, DEB); a neck laceration protector as for skaters (BNQ-certified throat protector at Hockey Canada in minor and female hockey, even with a mask attachment; HECC-certified at USA Hockey).
Harder
At U12 play the third-ice field (30 x 20 m); the SIHF's U12-1 « Intro to Full-Ice » is 5 on 5 on the full ice with a recommended squad of 15 and 2 goaltenders.
Easier
Play without goaltenders on the small training goals, on the 30 x 15 m field.
4 on 4 across a third of the ice (FFHG U9 and U11 format)Top-down view of an end zone of the rink, played across the width. A goal on each side, between the end of the rink and the blue line, each with its goalkeeper zone traced as a semi-circle and its goaltender. Four gold skaters (one with the puck) against four navy in the middle. The neutral zone, at the bottom, is for the benches only.goaltender zone:162 cm string (U9)the neutral zone is for the benches onlybuzzer every 60 s:both teams changeat the same time
goaltenderskateropponent

4 on 4 across a third of the ice (FFHG U9 and U11 format)

The FFHG's third-ice game: four skaters and a goaltender per team, played across the width of the two end zones on a third of the rink, changing blocks at a 60-second buzzer.

u9u13 Cross-ice third Skaters and goaltender high 20 min
Drill detail
Set out
A third of a rink of 56 x 26 m or larger, across the width of the end zones · the neutral zone is used only for the benches · a goalkeeper zone traced with a string of 162 cm (U9) or 220 cm (U11, U13) from the middle of the crossbar · a buzzer every 60 seconds
What it trains
The FFHG third-ice game: four skaters and a goaltender per team, played across the width of the end zone, with two blocks rotating on the buzzer. It is the format in which an FFHG U9 team plays its whole season.
Published frame
Each block plays the same time, at the pace of the changes; coaches do not anticipate the change: the buzzer is the only signal. No offside, no icing, no score display.
How it runs
The FFHG's third-ice game: four skaters and a goaltender per team, played across the width of the two end zones on a third of the rink, changing blocks at a 60-second buzzer. It is the format in which an FFHG U9 plays 100 % of its season. A third of a rink of 56 x 26 m or larger, across the width of the end zones; the neutral zone is used only for the benches; reduced goals H 90 x L 130 cm (U9) or a reducer, full-size goals H 122 x L 183 cm and a black 163 g puck for U11 and U13, a blue puck at U9; a goalkeeper zone traced with a string of 162 cm (U9) or 220 cm (U11, U13) from the middle of the crossbar. Squad of 8 to 10 skaters in 2 blocks of 4 or 5 plus 1 goaltender. Two blocks of four or five skaters rotate, with one goaltender who cannot be removed for an extra attacker. At each 60-second buzzer both teams leave and enter the playing area at the same time and the puck is left free. A foul: whistle, the offender is out until the next change and replaced numerically. No offside, no icing, no score display. At U13 the FFHG third-ice game is 3 against 3 with free changes and a penalty shot for a minor.
Players
8 to 20, including 2 goaltenders
Coaching points
Each block plays the same time at the pace of the changes, and coaches build blocks of matching level against each other (FFHG cahier des charges U9 U11 U13, 2026/27). Coaches do not anticipate the change: the buzzer is the only signal (FFHG). The FFHG bans body charges in U9, U11 and U13 (RAS art. 7.2); the aim of the format is more duels, handling, mobility and space-finding, with more players touching the puck. Equal ice time: Hockey Canada (U7, U9, U11) does not permit shortening the bench to win and asks for as close to equal ice time as possible for players and goaltenders; Hockey Québec M9 requires equal ice time; the FFHG (third-ice) and the SIHF (U9, U12) make every block play the same time. Kit: a certified helmet with full face protection for juniors (U18 and younger by birth year at the FFHG, the SIHF and the DEB; every division at Hockey Canada except Senior and Major Junior, and all players at Hockey Québec; below Adults at USA Hockey) and a neck laceration protector (all FFHG categories; all SIHF leagues, training included; BNQ-certified in Hockey Canada minor and female hockey and for all players at Hockey Québec; every USA Hockey classification except Adults). Mouthguard: required by USA Hockey from 12U to 18U and by the FFHG in U19 and U20, optional at Hockey Québec. Goaltender kit: a helmet with a mask a puck cannot penetrate and, for U18 and younger, a stick blade must not penetrate it either (IIHF, SIHF, DEB); a neck laceration protector as for skaters (BNQ-certified throat protector at Hockey Canada in minor and female hockey, even with a mask attachment; HECC-certified at USA Hockey).
Harder
At U13 play 3 on 3 with free changes (blocks of 3 or 4) and a penalty shot for a minor.
Easier
The FFHG École and Fair Play'Zir layout on a sixth of the ice: 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 with mini goals.
4 on 4 on half the ice (Hockey Canada U9, Hockey Québec M9)Top-down view of half of a North American rink, from the end boards to the centre red line, 30.5 m by 25.9 m. Four gold skaters (one with the puck) against four navy skaters play in this half; the second game is played at the same time in the other half.30.5 m25.9 mtwo gamesat once: onein each half
skateropponent

4 on 4 on half the ice (Hockey Canada U9, Hockey Québec M9)

The half-ice game of Hockey Canada's U9 division and Hockey Québec's M9: four skaters and a goaltender per team, two games at once with one in each half of the rink, timed changes and no offside or icing.

u9 Half-ice Skaters and goaltender high 20 min
Drill detail
Set out
Half of the rink, at most 100 x 85 ft (about 30.5 x 25.9 m) · two games at once, one per half · timed changes, no offside, no icing
What it trains
The game of Hockey Canada’s U9 division and Hockey Québec’s M9: four skaters and a goaltender per team on half of the rink, two games at once, timed changes and no offside or icing.
Published frame
Rotate players through forward, defence and goal; no position specialisation before U13; as close to equal ice time as possible (Hockey Canada).
How it runs
The half-ice game of Hockey Canada's U9 division and Hockey Québec's M9: four skaters and a goaltender per team, two games at once with one in each half of the rink, timed changes and no offside or icing. Half of the rink, at most 100 x 85 ft (about 30.5 x 25.9 m); nets of 3 x 4 ft recommended (Hockey Canada U9; Hockey Québec M9 mandates 36 x 48 in); blue 4 oz or black 6 oz puck at Hockey Canada U9; 18 players per team recommended at U9 (four lines and two goaltenders); Hockey Québec M9 teams of 7 to 13, ideally 9. Two teams of four skaters and a goaltender in full equipment play 4 on 4, two games at once, one per half. Changes are timed by a buzzer or a whistle; a shift does not exceed two minutes (Hockey Canada recommends 60 seconds; Hockey Québec M9 uses 90 to 120 seconds). No offside, no icing. Two periods of running time, with face-offs to start each half. A minor penalty is noted, the offender sits the next shift and the team stays even.
Players
8 or more, including 2 goaltenders
Coaching points
Rotate players through forward, defence and goal: Hockey Canada recommends rotating all players through the goalie position at U9, and Hockey Québec M9 rotates players through goal; no full-time goaltenders at U9. No position specialisation before U13 (Hockey Canada). From 26 December Hockey Canada lets U9 teams play full ice: each Member decides whether to allow it. Body checking is not part of the game: Hockey Canada Rule 7.3 penalises it, and Hockey Québec M9 does not permit checking or contact physique. Equal ice time: Hockey Canada (U7, U9, U11) does not permit shortening the bench to win and asks for as close to equal ice time as possible for players and goaltenders; Hockey Québec M9 requires equal ice time; the FFHG (third-ice) and the SIHF (U9, U12) make every block play the same time. Kit: a certified helmet with full face protection for juniors (U18 and younger by birth year at the FFHG, the SIHF and the DEB; every division at Hockey Canada except Senior and Major Junior, and all players at Hockey Québec; below Adults at USA Hockey) and a neck laceration protector (all FFHG categories; all SIHF leagues, training included; BNQ-certified in Hockey Canada minor and female hockey and for all players at Hockey Québec; every USA Hockey classification except Adults). Mouthguard: required by USA Hockey from 12U to 18U and by the FFHG in U19 and U20, optional at Hockey Québec. Goaltender kit: a helmet with a mask a puck cannot penetrate and, for U18 and younger, a stick blade must not penetrate it either (IIHF, SIHF, DEB); a neck laceration protector as for skaters (BNQ-certified throat protector at Hockey Canada in minor and female hockey, even with a mask attachment; HECC-certified at USA Hockey).
Harder
Where the Member allows it, play full ice from 26 December (Hockey Canada U9).
Easier
Cross-ice 4 on 4 on a third of the ice, as in Hockey Canada's U7 model.
Game shift, skills zone, restTop-down view of a whole rink divided into three thirds along its length. The two end thirds each host a cross-ice game, with its two goals 1 m from the side boards; the middle third is the skills and bench zone. Three lines numbered 1, 2 and 3 rotate in that order: game shift, skills zone, rest.123123gameskills zoneand benchesgamegame shift,60 s at most
skaterskating

Game shift, skills zone, rest

A rotation that keeps every child active when two games share the ice: each line plays a game shift, goes to the skills zone, then rests.

u9u13 One station Skaters and goaltender medium 20 min
Drill detail
Set out
Two games at the ends of the ice, cross-ice, with goals 1 m from the side boards · the middle third is the skills zone and the bench area · goals 130 x 90 cm or inserts · a blue puck
What it trains
A rotation that keeps every child active when two games share the ice: each line plays a game shift, goes to the skills zone, then rests. Changes are made on the buzzer only.
Published frame
The skills zone is pre-planned: decide in advance which station it holds. Changes on the buzzer only, to ensure equal ice time (England Ice Hockey U10).
How it runs
A rotation that keeps every child active when two games share the ice: each line plays a game shift, goes to the skills zone, then rests. England Ice Hockey runs its U10 game day this way, with a pre-planned skills zone in the middle third. Two games at the ends of the ice, cross-ice or half-ice, with goals 1 m from the side boards; the middle third is the skills zone and the bench area; dividers of about 10 x 5 cm; goals 130 x 90 cm or inserts; a blue puck; two on-ice coaches per team. Three skill-aligned lines rotate in the same order: a game shift (60 seconds maximum, running time), then the skills zone, then rest. Changes are made on the buzzer only. The skills zone is pre-planned: it holds a station from another theme.
Players
12 or more, including 1 goaltender
Coaching points
Coaches group players by ability, age and size in the three lines, and keep the lines at even strength (England Ice Hockey U10). Changes on the buzzer only, to ensure equal ice time (England Ice Hockey U10); no statistics and no standings at this age. A skills zone must be pre-planned: decide in advance which station it holds. Body checking is not part of the game at this age: Hockey Canada penalises it up to U13, Hockey Québec does not permit checking or contact physique in M9 and M11, USA Hockey prohibits it up to 12U, the FFHG bans body charges in U9 to U13 and the SIHF bans them in U9 and U12; England Ice Hockey U10 and U12 are non-checking. Kit: a certified helmet with full face protection for juniors (U18 and younger by birth year at the FFHG, the SIHF and the DEB; every division at Hockey Canada except Senior and Major Junior, and all players at Hockey Québec; below Adults at USA Hockey) and a neck laceration protector (all FFHG categories; all SIHF leagues, training included; BNQ-certified in Hockey Canada minor and female hockey and for all players at Hockey Québec; every USA Hockey classification except Adults). Mouthguard: required by USA Hockey from 12U to 18U and by the FFHG in U19 and U20, optional at Hockey Québec. Goaltender kit: a helmet with a mask a puck cannot penetrate and, for U18 and younger, a stick blade must not penetrate it either (IIHF, SIHF, DEB); a neck laceration protector as for skaters (BNQ-certified throat protector at Hockey Canada in minor and female hockey, even with a mask attachment; HECC-certified at USA Hockey).
Harder
Use the skills zone for a drill from the other themes, such as a shooting station or the puck-protection circle.
Easier
A single game with lines of three rotating on the buzzer, no skills zone.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 12-year-old U12 or U13?
It depends on the federation. A child who is 12 on 31 December 2026 was born in 2014: U13 at the FFHG and at Hockey Canada, U14 at the SIHF (born 2013 and 2014), 12U at USA Hockey (born 2014 and 2015). At the SIHF, the U12 category groups the children born from 2015 to 2017.
Are Paak's u9, u13, u17 and sen bands federation categories?
No. They are the four bands of Paak's drill library, a working grouping. No federation category matches one of them exactly: the SIHF U14 (born 2013 and 2014) and the ÖEHV U12 straddle two bands. The band labels therefore write “≈”.
Which format should I pick for an hour of ice with young children?
The federations read agree: part of the ice, several games at once, changes on a signal. Hockey Canada recommends two 4-on-4 games on two half-ice surfaces for U9; the SIHF plays 3-on-3 on quarters of the ice; the FFHG runs tournaments on a third. The choice depends on the federation whose games you play.

Sources

FFHG: ALM annex 1 2026/27, Règlement des activités sportives 2026/27 (Art. 7.2 and 7.3), cahier des charges U9 U11 U13 2026/27 (part 1, par. 1 to 3, 5 and 7), Fair Play’Zir cahier 2026/27, the federal école de hockey guide. SIHF: Reglement Spielbetrieb NAFS 2026/27 (Art. 99, 109 to 120), Jahrgänge NAFS 2026/27 of 10.09.2026, the “Impact +1” release of 5.6.2024. Hockey Canada: division and season-structure pages U7 and U9, U9 Player Pathway (2026), Playing Rules 2026-2028 (Rules 1.3, 1.8 and 7.3). Hockey Québec: Guide des opérations M9, règlements administratifs 2025-2026 (previous edition: the 2026-27 edition could not be read). USA Hockey: 2025-29 rules (Rules 103, 104, 306, 604), Age Classifications 2026-27. IIHF: Official Rulebook 2026/27 (Rules 1.2, 1.5, 1.9, Appendix VI). ÖEHV: DÖNAM 2026/27 (par. 14). England Ice Hockey: U10 and junior rules of competition 2026-27. Hockey Canada's birth years are calculated from the age on 31 December that it publishes. Content checked on 14 October 2026.

Last updated: October 14, 2026
In Paak

After “Age categories and ice formats in ice hockey”, plan the session

The generator is right on the session: plan by the players’ age band and the duration, pick a theme. Paak builds a minuted five-block outline (warm-up, two work blocks, a game and a cool-down) from this same library of 44 drills.

Planning, editing and saving the session is free.

Create my club What can Paak do for my club?

You coach, but you don’t run the club? Send this guide to your president