Raiders Learn to Play

The Reston Raiders Learn to Play (LTP) program is offered to all children ages 4–9 years old (2017-2023 birth years). who has little to no experience with ice skating or playing organized ice hockey. LTP is a great way to get into the sport of hockey and is intended as a prerequisite for those who wish to join the Raiders Recreational House League Program and/or our Travel Program. The program is based on the USA Hockey American Development Model philosophy and is intended to teach players the fundamentals of the game in a fun, supportive & competitive environment. The program will be led by USA Hockey Certified coaches from the Reston Raiders Hockey Club and supported by parent volunteer coaches.  

The Learn to Play program emphasizes the basic hockey skills: skating, puck handling, passing, scoring, and body contact. Each skill is introduced and refined in a progressive manner and then again through repetition. Children learn and develop through participating in practice drills and informal and modified games (such as cross-ice scrimmages, freeze tag, and obstacle courses). Although the emphasis is on fun and progressive skill development, the Learn to Play Program allows kids to experience “real hockey” situations. 

The LTP program’s Basic Hockey Skills

Skating: forward stride, backward stride, stopping, agility, balance, coordination Stickhandling and Puck Protection – fundamentals of stickhandling and puck possession

Passing: fundamentals of passing, including technique and different types of passing with a focus on forehand and backhand passes

Scoring: teaching shooting basics (wrist shot and backhand) and scoring concepts

Body contact: Body checking is not permitted until 14U; however, all players of all ages and skill levels will be instructed on using body contact as a key skill.  

Evaluation Note to Parents: The Raiders coaching staff will evaluate all the LTP players at the preseason evaluation to confirm each player’s placement for the start of the upcoming season. Please make every effort to be at this evaluation. Throughout the season, at the sole discretion of the Learn to Play Head Coach in consultation with the Learn to Play Director, players will be evaluated and placements updated. These rolling evaluations will ensure that each player is in the appropriate level of competition for their continued development and to create the best environment for all the players. The evaluations may include moving LTP 1* players into LTP 2** or moving LTP 2 players into the House Program. There may be additional costs associated with advancement to higher levels. Once the player has been advanced, they must move to the next level.

Preseason Evaluations: Saturday August 29

LTP 2: Time TBD

LTP 1: Time TBD

Orientation/Jersey Pickup & LTP Coaching Clinic: Sunday Sept 27

 LTP 2: 10am jersey pickup; 10:15am orientation

 LTP 1: 11am jersey pickup; 11:15am orientation

Start & End Dates: Sunday October 4 to Sunday March 14

Learn to Play 1: 8:30 am to 9:40 am on Sunday mornings at Skatequest

LTP1 Program Fees: $425 (approximately 18-20 on-ice sessions)

Learn to Play 2: 7:20 am to 8:30 am on Sunday mornings at Skatequest and Saturday mornings at Loudoun Ice Centre, with the times to be determined based on grouping. 

LTP2 Program Fees: $650 (approximately 36-40 on-ice sessions)

The Raiders LTP season runs approximately 18-20 weeks. There will be pauses for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, MLK weekend, and President’s Day weekend. The program will be led by USA Hockey-certified coaches from the Reston Raiders Hockey Club and supported by parent volunteer coaches. The Learn to Play Program has two formal offerings based on age, skill level, and experience: LTP 1 and LTP 2. 

Learn to Play 1 (LTP1): LTP 1 is intended for younger (4 – 7 years old) and older but less experienced children with no hockey experience.  

The LTP1 group will practice one time per week on Sunday mornings.  

Younger players (e.g., 4 and 5 years of age) may repeat LTP1 and do not need to move on to LTP2. All players born in 2020 and new players born in 2021 should register for LTP1. 

Learn to Play 2 (LTP2): LTP 2 is generally intended for older children (6–9 years old) who have completed LTP1.

The LTP2 group will practice twice weekly on Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings. o Saturday morning (Loudoun Ice Center) scrimmages, divided by age, will mirror our 8U house program games and begin to ready players for House and Travel o Sunday morning (Skatequest) drills/skills/small games

Older players (2017 Birth Year) with no (or limited) skating/playing experience also enroll in LTP2 – subject to the approval of the Learn to Play Director.

2023 – LTP1 only 

2022 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

2020 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

2019 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

2018 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

2017 – LTP2 only

All placements are at the sole discretion of the Learn to Play Head Coach in consultation with the Learn to Play Director. If you need assistance determining which LTP session is the correct fit for your child, please email Learn to Play Head Coach Nick Durso at nickdurso.raiders@gmail.com and include your child’s birth year and a description of the player’s hockey/skating experience. All other questions should be directed to the Learn to Play Director Amy Webster, amywebster.raiders@gmail.com.

No prerequisite skating or hockey experience is required for the LTP program. Check the Skatequest and/or Loudoun Ice Centre website for introductory skating opportunities for your children, if desired.

• Hockey Shorts - Jock/Jill (with Velcro to hold up hockey socks)
• Skates
• Shin Pads
• Hockey pants
• Hockey socks
• Shoulder pads (small, not overbearing)
• Elbow pads
• Hockey gloves
• Hockey helmet with cage/facemask
• Hockey stick (generally provided to all LTP participants and distributed at Orientation)
• Hockey jersey (provided to all LTP participants and distributed at Orientation); jersey color will generally be assigned by birth year
• Mouthguard (optional)
• Neck protection (optional)

We recommend going to Pure Hockey to get fitted for each piece of equipment. You can then order that equipment at Pure Hockey or order it online.

The Reston Raiders host an annual equipment swap (this year: September 6, 9-12 am) where you can find gently used youth hockey gear for very reasonable prices. The equipment swap usually occurs in early September (before the LTP season starts). Details will be posted on the Raiders website.

Our program depends on adults willing to volunteer their time to help the kids learn to play the great game of hockey. We encourage new volunteers to help us each year. Experienced Raiders coaches will plan and lead the sessions and assist in training new coaches. If you would like to volunteer, please email nickdurso.raiders@gmail.com. No previous hockey experience is necessary, although the ability to stand up and move around on skates is beneficial. Minimum requirements include and are not limited to: Registration with USA Hockey, SafeSport Education, Background Check

View an instructional video on how to dress your new hockey player How to Dress Youth Hockey Players for Practice. Read the USA Hockey Parent Guide.