To download a .pdf copy of the Bucks Minis Information pack click here.
To download the .pdf England Hockey Mini Rules click here.
A number of clubs in Buckinghamshire will be hosting monthly tournaments at Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 level. These are designed to support the development of young players by allowing them to put into practice the skills they learn on the training ground practice, and at the same time have fun playing against other local clubs.
These tournaments are by invitation only. For further details please contact the Bucks Minis co-ordinator at Wycombe Hockey Club ( c.james555@btinternet.com ).
Tournament objectives:
• Emphasis on fun and safety – winning is secondary
• Support development of players – put skills from training ground into practice
• Straightforward planning and organisation for clubs
• Logistically easy for parents
• Standard format so tournaments are easy to run
• Players graded by age and ability
Tournament structure:
• Tournaments will generally be held one Sunday per month, October to March.
• Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12 age groups – each age group at same venue.
• Tournaments held on Sundays - start times arranged by organising club (start times may vary subject to pitch availability).
• U10 and U8 mixed teams/matches of 5-a-side plus GK where available, with no minimum number of boys or girls in each team.
• U12 teams/matches of 7-a-side including GK, split between Girls and Boys of mixed ability.
• 10 minute matches (no half-time) with 2 minute changeover – i.e. 5 matches per pitch per hour
• Target of 4-6 matches per team.
• Tournaments should not last longer than 2 ½ hours and preferably be shorter.
• U8 and U10 play on ¼ pitch. U12 play on ½ pitch. Where practicable, games should be separated (e.g. 5 to 10 m safety zone using cones or tape).
• No recording of results or winners.
Tournament rules:
• Mini Hockey rules, to be interpreted sympathetically according to the age and ability of teams.
• Usually 7-a-side, but 6- or 8-a-side with prior agreement of both coaches.
• Team coaches will umpire (unless host club can provide young umpires).
• If a circle is not marked out, cones will be laid on the side lines 10 yards from goal line to mark a rectangular scoring area.
• The use of goalkeepers is encouraged, particularly at U12, but is not compulsory
• Short corners for U12 only if both teams have a goalkeeper and a circle is marked out. No short corners for other matches – instead an indirect free hit will be awarded 10 yards from the goal line.
• If a team leads by 3 goals one of its players will be retired. This player may return to the field if the scores are levelled.
Organisation:
• All key information – dates and times, venues, host club organisers, participating teams, etc. – will be posted to the WHC website as a central reference point to link to.
• Club contacts communicate number of teams for each tournament by end September (after beginning of season assessment of number of players)
• Host clubs are welcome to invite other sides to join their tournaments, space permitting and not to the detriment of member clubs.
• Number of teams entered by each club to be confirmed 2 weeks ahead of tournaments.
• Photography rules will be the responsibility of the host club. The guideline is that if a professional photographer has been invited to cover the event this presents parents with a good alternative to using their own cameras and they should be asked to refrain. If no photographer is present, the host club should provide a registration sheet for parents who are using cameras just as schools do. Parents who do not want their child to be photographed by professional photographers should make this known at the start and ensure the child is clearly identifiable throughout the tournament, e.g. with a sticker (as this is simpler than identifying the other 99)
• It is the responsibility of the host club to ensure that a qualified first-aider is present. This may be from the club’s own membership or from a visiting club but it is up to the host club to check who is coming.
• All costs associated with hosting tournaments, such as pitch hire, are the responsibility of the host club. Clubs pulling out of tournaments will be expected to contribute a fair proportion towards cost of pitch hire.
• Hosting club to provide basic refreshments.
What to bring:
• Hockey stick
• Shin pads
• Mouthguard (recommended)
• Plenty to drink
• Snacks
• Something warm to put on between matches
• Club Kit