Structure and content of theoretical training of young hockey players at the initial training stage

Abstract

Introduction. In Independent Ukraine, there are still not many scientists who have dedicated their researches to ice hockey. There are also a number of issues regarding theoretical training at the initial stage of preparation which remain unresolved. Despite the fact that the 2021 program for children and youth sports schools offered 15 topics for hockey players’ theoretical training, the means, methods, and forms of presenting theoretical material in interrelation with other types of training have not yet been scientifically substantiated. Therefore, this area of research is particularly relevant due to the state of martial law and the frequent use of distance learning modes in the educational and training process at the initial stage of preparation.

The aim of the research is to determine the impact of means and methods of theoretical training on the level of theoretical preparedness of young hockey players at the initial training stage in both distance and traditional educational and training processes.

Material and Methods. The research methods used include the analysis of specialized scientific and methodical literature, data generalization and systematization, pedagogical observation, pedagogical testing of theoretical preparedness, and methods of mathematical statistics. The study was conducted at the “Avangard” Complex Sports School in Kremenchuk and the children and youth sports schools of Winter Sports in Dnipro from September 2022 till June 2023 (8 months). Two groups of 10-11-year-old children (control group: 20 individuals, experimental group: 20 individuals) in their first year of initial hockey training were involved in the experiment.

Results. Before the pedagogical experiment, there were no significant differences in the level of theoretical preparedness between the young hockey players in both the control and the experimental groups. A program for theoretical training for 10-11-year-old hockey players was developed and scientifically substantiated. It aimed to improve their theoretical preparedness and motivation for hockey training at the initial stage. The program structure consisted of five blocks, each containing three topics. The first block “Equipment and Gear” included the following topics: “Hockey Stick and Puck”, “Hockey Gear”, “Rink”; the second block “History and Rules of the Game” included: “History of Hockey”, “Game Duration”, “Scoring a Goal”; the third block “The Hockey Player” included: “The Hockey Player”, “Player Positions”; the fourth block “The Team” included: “Number of Players in a Team”, “Favorite Team”, “Game Situations”; the fifth block “Hockey Terminology” included: “English-Ukrainian Terms in Hockey Technique”, “English-Ukrainian Terms in Hockey Players’ Physical Preparation”, “Terms from the Rules of the Game”. The analysis of theoretical preparedness showed significant positive changes in the homogeneity of the indicators in the experimental group after the pedagogical experiment. In the control group, a reliable (p<0.001) improvement in the percentage of correct answers was observed, but these indicators were much lower than in the experimental group and were less homogeneous.

Conclusions. It was found that conducting a pedagogical experiment at the initial training stage in the hockey section significantly influenced the formation of motivation and the level of theoretical preparedness, as well as the systematic attendance of training sessions by young hockey players in both distance and traditional educational-training processes. After one year of implementing the developed forms, means, and methods of theoretical training aimed at forming motivation, the children of the experimental group showed increased interest in hockey. The main criteria for assessing children’s interest in hockey were the systematic attendance of training sessions, the children’s desire to ask questions about hockey events, active participation in sports events, completing independent tasks, and stability in attending Super League games with their parents as spectators.