CanPowerSkate Guide

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Terms used:

Board

The board of Directors of Skate Canada.

Club

A not-for-profit organization that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs and is managed by a volunteer board of directors.

Good Standing

A person who has paid all dues outstanding to Skate Canada, a Club, or a Skating School (as applicable) and who the Board has not declared not to be in good standing and in the case of Members, a Member whose Membership has not been terminated pursuant to Article 3 hereof [of the bylaws].

Membership

The state of being a Member.

Pivot

A two-footed movement in which the toe picks of one foot are inserted into the ice by a skater as a central pivoting point while the other foot travels in a circular pattern around the pivot point.

Section

As defined in Section 8.1 hereof [of the bylaws].

Skating School

An organization other than a Club that is operating for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada skating programs.

Turns

A rotational movement in which the skater moves from forward to backward or backward to forward using one foot and on an edge and axis (e.g. Three-turn, Bracket). In a two-foot turn the rotational movement from forward to backward or backward to forward is from one foot to the other foot (e.g. Mohawk, Choctaw).

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CanPowerSkate is a Skate Canada program that has been designed to enhance the skating skills needed for both hockey and ringette players in the Learn to Train stage of development. 

Below you will find everything you need to deliver this program at your club or skating school.

 

 

 

 

 

CanPowerSkate Resource Guide

The CanPowerSkate Resource Guide contains all of the information needed to deliver the CanPowerSkate program at your club or skating school.  Topics include:

  • Planning and preparation
  • On-ice delivery
  • Session plans
  • Skill descriptions and standards
  • Assessing information and more

Access CanPowerSkate Resource Guide

Please note, this Toolkit is in draft form. Once finalized, it will be available in both printable and downloadable formats. 

Skill Standard Videos

The CanPowerSkate Standard video playlist can be found on our YouTube Skating Development Video Library. The playlist includes examples of every skill in the CanPowerSkate program performed to the identified standard.  

This playlist is an excellent resource for:

  • Coaches
  • Program assistants
  • Skaters
  • Parents 

Access CanPowerSkate Skill Standard videos

CanPowerSkate Tutorials

The CanPowerSkate Tutorial videos offer coaches and program assistants tips and strategies for quality skill development. These are great tools for ideas, technique and refreshers.  Topics include:

  • Stride
  • Starts
  • Stops
  • Lateral movement
  • Pivot turns and more

Access CanPowerSkate Tutorial videos

 CanPowerSkate Modified Delivery Options

The delivery of the CanPowerSkate program can be modified to meet the needs of many different interest groups including: 

  • Adult/teen skaters (skaters who have started skating at an older age)
  • Adaptive skaters (skaters with either a physical or mental impairment that affects their learning)

This resource provides guidance and strategies to either modify a current session or construct a new session based on the participant's interests and abilities.

Please note: for information on Pre-Power level skaters, please see Modified Delivery Options for CanSkate

Access CanPowerSkate Modified Delivery Options

Canada Skates Featuring CanPowerSkate

Canada Skates is a video series featuring a variety of topics related to the quality delivery of our programs. Canada Skates featuring CanPowerSkate will give highlights, tips and strategies to coaches, program assistants and clubs or skating schools on how to maximize their program delivery.

These videos may also be used to educate parents and skaters. Topics include:

  • Overview of the program
  • Warm ups, development time and cool downs
  • Lesson time
  • Sledge skaters

Access Canada Skates Featuring CanPowerSkate videos

These videos may be shared through social media, websites or email.

CanPowerSkate Tools & Supplies

The following items may be purchased or downloaded to assist in the delivery of the CanPowerSkate program:

For purchase through our physical product store in the Membership Site (link below). Once accessed, select the CanPowerSkate program from the drop-down menu.

eLearning for CanPowerSkate

To further support the quality development of this program, visit our eLearning site to explore workshops, seminars and modules on CanPowerSkate. Click on the course title below to go directly to that course.

CanPowerSkate Requirements and Delivery Standards

Below is the list of requirements and standards by which clubs and skating schools must abide when offering the CanSkate program. The Advanced Delivery Standards are optional.

Requirements

  • At least one Skate Canada NCCP CanPowerSkate coach (In-training, Trained or Certified) who is registered and in good standing must be on the ice at all times 
  • All coaches and program assistants must be wearing hockey skates or be in a sled (sledge hockey) and must use hockey/ringette sticks and gloves
  • All participants must wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet and must use hockey/ringette sticks and gloves
  • All program assistants (PAs) on the ice must be wearing skates or be in a sled and must be registered with Skate Canada 
  • The CanPowerSkate program must be operated and delivered in accordance with the minimum delivery standards identified by Skate Canada

Maximum Number of Skaters Per Session

The number of skaters on a session must allow for the following:

  • Promote a safe environment
  • Ensure all skaters have enough room to move freely around the ice and circuits
  • An organized flow of rotation
  • Proper coach/skater ratios

Ideally sessions should not exceed 30 skaters. 

Clubs or Skating Schools who wish to offer programs with more than 30 skaters must receive section permission.

Access Skate Canada Program Requirements and Delivery Standards

Standards

  Minimum Delivery Standards Advanced Delivery Standards
Ratio Minimum 1:30 coach to skater ratio. PA’s recommended 1:10 coach to skater ratio
Movement Minimum 90% movement during the entire session.

Greater than 90% movement throughout the session.


Note: skaters receiving 1 on 1 individual attention do not affect movement percentage, if the rest of the group is moving.
Music   Age appropriate music for the session that is fun, energizing and contains signals to indicate session segment changes ex. Fast Track laps and station rotation
Teaching Aids Use of teaching aids at each station (minimum of marker/signs and pylons) Use of a variety of teaching aids that engages the skaters learning and interest.
Program Assistants

Use Program Assistants as required to meet minimum ratio

 Assign a Program Assistant to each group for supervision and assistance. Use additional Program Assistants as required to offer an effective and efficient program.
Program Assistant Training Ensure Program Assistants are trained before assisting on the ice with a minimum of one training. Offer multiple training sessions throughout the season to engage, support and monitor development of the program assistants.

Session Format:

 

Warm Up

Use of full ice

 

Include forward and backward skating in both directions.

All minimum standards plus:

 

  • Inclusion of deep bends
  • Evidence of increased heart rate in participants.

Session Format:

 

Lesson Time

A minimum of 30 mins of lesson time including:

  • 3 rotations to different learning stations
  • Use of circuits to teach and practice skills
  • A minimum 10-minute lesson to each group by a NCCP CanPowerSkate coach

All minimum standards plus:

  •  Use of circuits designed to fill 1/3 of ice, maximizing ice coverage or adapting the circuits to fill ½ or the full ice surface.  

Session Format:

 

Development Time		 Use of Development Time to enhance skills and speed.

All minimum standards plus:

  • Evidence of “challenge” skills
  • Use of continuous lanes or similar

Session Format:

 

Cool Down		 Evidence of gliding stretches to increase range of motion and lower heart rate, for example: Toe touch while gliding (hamstring stretch)

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Use of continuous lanes or similar pattern to increase range of motion and balance
  • Use of slower music to support lowered heart rate
Quality Coaching

Coach ensures that each skater in the lesson receives one on one attention on the circuit during the lesson time.  

Coaches know and teach the standards of the skills as per the CanPowerSkate Resource Toolkit and videos

All minimum standards, plus: 

Coach gives each skater:

  • Individual feedback
  • Individual corrections
  • Individual challenges based on their level of development within their lesson and circuit, without stopping the entire group.
Branding and Marketing

Must advertise and refer to the program as CanPowerSkate and use the official CanPowerSkate logo

 Use the official Skate Canada CanPowerSkate report card (min. 1 per session)

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Use ALL Skate Canada CanPowerSkate tools and promotional materials
Parent Information Session

Offer a minimum of 1 parent information or interaction session per season. 

Offer a written source of information about the program and other club opportunities (Info letter, website, bulletin board, etc.)

Offer multiple opportunities for parents to connect with CanSkate Coordinators and/or coaches. This could include but is not limited to:

  • In-person information session
  • In-person progress update opportunities
  • In-person “next steps” touch base to guide skaters into next appropriate program (CPS, Figure Skating etc.)
Offer several written sources of information about the program and other club opportunities (inf letter, website, bulletin board, etc.)
Awards

Use official Skate Canada badges and award them at the end of each season. 

Maintain records of the skater’s progress

All minimum standards plus: 

  • Track and maintain records of skater’s progress digitally
Off Ice Classes   Offer off ice classes to increase physical literacy, awareness and coordination
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