Level 2 transitions players from introductory hockey into structured club play.
Players begin operating within a simple formation, applying pressure and support,
and making correct decisions during live play.
This page is a rapid orientation guide.
Coaches should read the Lesson Plan before delivering Level 2 sessions.
The Quick Start is intended for quick reference immediately before coaching.
Players leaving Level 2 should be able to:
- Play legally and predictably under CMAS rules
- Carry the puck while swimming
- Apply pressure and provide support
- Choose correct dive types
- Maintain a simple formation
- Participate safely in full scrimmage
Level 2 is not elite hockey.
Level 2 produces reliable club players.
- Keep coaching simple
- Teach game function before technique
- Reinforce fundamentals under light pressure
- Use scrimmage as the primary learning tool
Do not overload players with technical variations.
¶ Standard Session Structure
- Warm-up and movement preparation
- Puck control block
- Tactical principle block
- Rules integration
- Mini conditioned game
- Full scrimmage
Every block should connect to live play.
¶ Body Position
- Hips low
- Chest up
- Eyes forward
- Strong kick
- Stick arm forward
- Free arm in front
Correct body position solves most technical problems.
- Kelp dive – stationary puck
- Duck dive – moving play
- Surface swim – repositioning
- Midwater tracking – follow play
Dive selection is a key Level 2 assessment item.
- Straight carry
- Direction change
- Curl
- Flick to space
- Puck protection
Comfort carrying the puck matters more than perfect technique.
¶ Pressure and Support
- First defender pressures
- Second defender supports
- Third defender protects goal line
Defensive rules:
- Pressure puck
- Protect the middle
- Maintain depth
- Do not overcommit
- 2 forwards
- 3 midfielders
- 1 full back
Teach one formation only.
If the shape disappears, stop play and reset.
Reinforce rules during play rather than through lecture.
- Obstruction
- Illegal advancement
- Free arm use
- Shielding
- Stick infringements
- Free puck procedures
- Advantage rule
- Goal restart
- Substitution rules
- Players stop immediately on signal
- Correct line-ups and substitutions
- Defenders protect the middle
- Attackers gain ground
- Correct dive selection
- Formation remains visible
- Pressure applied without diving past the puck
Assessment is continuous and game based.
- 10 minutes warm-up
- 15 minutes puck control
- 15 minutes tactical focus
- 5 minutes rules integration
- 10 minutes mini game
- 15 minutes scrimmage
Level 2 continues Foundation badge development and begins introducing performance badges.
Common badges observed during Level 2 play include:
- Body Position (Cobra)
- Puck Control
- Passing
- Curling
- Individual Positioning
- Supportive Play
- Basic Formation
Conditioning, Precision, and Power badges may be assessed through short structured tests when appropriate.
¶ Exit Standard
Players must demonstrate during live scrimmage:
- Rules understanding
- Puck control while moving
- Correct dive selection
- Pressure and support behaviour
- Transition awareness
- Formation awareness
Assessment is observation-based and occurs during play.