Youth hockey players at the 14 and under level, commonly referred to as the Bantam level, should focus on skill progressions as defined in this guideline.

Rules - Hockey players at this age level should be made aware of the hockey rules and knows them prior to game play.

• Face-offs
  Offside
  Icing
  Body checking
  Checking from behind
  Player Conduct

They should know the following Common Infractions

• Boarding
  Cross checking
  Charging
  Kneeing
  Falling on the puck
  High sticking
  Hooking
  Interference
  Slashing
  Holding the stick
  Unsportsmanlike conduct

As well as the following Penalties

• Minor
  Major
  Match
  Misconduct
  Penalty shot
  Checking from behind

In addition to the above players must learn and master the following individual hockey skills.

Skating:

• Quickness
  Speed
  Agility
  Power

Puck Control:

• Change of pace
  Slip through
  Slip across/around
  Fake shot
  Spin around
  Stop and go
  Puck protection

Passing and Receiving:

• Flip-saucer passes (forehand and backhand)
  Receiving (skate)
  Receiving (hand)
  Surround the puck
  One-touch pass
  Indirect (board) pass
  Wrap around
  Breakout
  Alley-oop

Shooting:

• Wrist
  Backhand
  Snap
  Flip
  Slap
  One-timer
  Rebounding
  Tipping
  Approach to net
  Close in shots

Checking

• Covering
  Shoulder check
  Angling
  Taking a check
  Hip check
  Body check
  Block check
  Roll check
  Backchecking
  Gap control
  Angling – steering - deflecting

Goalkeeping:

• Skate saves
  Stacking the pads
  “V” drop
  Rebounds
  Playing the angles
  Situations
  Moving behind the net
  Stopping the puck along the boards
  Poke checking

Youth hockey players 14 and under should understand and learn to following team play guidelines.

Offense:

• Offense in the offensive zone
  Offense in the neutral zone
  Offense in the defensive zone
  Power play systems
  Face-offs
  Principles: pressure, transition, support and control
  Triangulation
  Cycling

Defense:

• One-man forechecking
  Two-man forechecking
  Backchecking (neutral zone)
  Center-on-point defensive coverage
  Wings-on-point defensive coverage
  Man-short situations
  Principles: pressure, transition, support, and control
  Defense in the defensive zone
  Defense in the natural zone
  Boxing out

A coach should teach these players about the importance of hydration before, during, and after practices and games. Eating and nutrition habits before game play. Additionally, fitness and training are important for young hockey players. The players should learn different exercises like, overloading principles, flexibility, speed, strength, aerobic, anaerobic, off-ice skill development, setting goals to improve weaknesses, and improving athleticism. This should also cover injury prevention advice. How to properly care for equipment, proper fitting of equipment, rink safety, practice safety precautions, and the importance of warm-up, and stretching exercises.

Youth hockey players should also be taught to understand the benefits and use of positive reinforcement, positive talk and basic visualization skills, develop a pre-game routine, relaxation exercises, maintaining self control, and giving 100 percent effort at all times .