The following advice was provided by Jodi C., a special ed teacher who reviewed an Eagle's practice. The suggestions that I have for your practice are:
- If it is at all possible have a list with pictures of what your
warm—ups are going to be. That way all the players will know what is
expected of them and what they need to do.
- The same is true for your drills—if it is possible to split
the rink into four different sections, split the players into four different
groups—keep the groups the same every week if you can, and have an adult
in each of the four different sections run a specific drill. Then if it is
possible have a timer or whistle which would signal all of the players to
switch at one time. That way all of the team members and the volunteers would
know what they are doing in that specific area at that specific time. Also if
it is possible in each of the drill areas there should be a list of what the
players need to do, how many times they need to do it, and when they will be
done.
- Mark the goal area with a color (like a piece of
construction paper attached to the net) so there is something visual for
the players to look for and go toward.
- Some of the players may benefit from something to weight their
stick down with—it provides better proprioceptive input as to where the
player is in space as well as providing input for focus and attention to what
they are supposed to be doing.
- You also may benefit from some practice of passing, going toward
the goal, and hitting the puck into the goal off the ice and on the floor. It
is a way in which you could work more on the concept of the game versus the
skills needed for the game.
I was wondering too if you ever have any
persons that are able to sign? I noticed some parents (caregivers) signing to
the players, then when the players were on the ice I didn’t observe any
signing. It may help these players to use the pictures mentioned above, or you
may be able to contact some school that teach signing and get some volunteers
to come and help out also. | 