Raiders Learn to Play

The Reston Raiders Learn to Play (LTP) program is offered to all children ages 4–10 years old (2015-2021 birth years). 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.  

This program is designed for children with little to no experience with ice skating or playing organized ice hockey. It is intended as a prerequisite for those who wish to join the Raiders Recreational House League Program and/or our Travel Program.

Program schedule and registration fees:

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

Program Fees: $400 (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. 

Program Fees: $650 (approximately 38-40 on-ice sessions)

Dates of Note:

Zoom Q&A Sessions: July 22, 2025, August 12, 2025, 6:30-7:30 pm

Preseason Evaluation: LTP 2: August 23, 2025; LTP 1: August 25, 2025

Orientation/Jersey Pickup & LTP Coaching Clinic: September 28, 2025

Start Date: October 5, 2025

End Date (Fall/Winter Session): March 15, 2026

Learn to Play Leadership

Kari Walker, Learn to Play Director, kariwalkerraiders@gmail.com

Nick Durso, Learn to Play Head Coach

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 of 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.

Program Overview

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 include:

● 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.  

Program Structure

The Raiders LTP season runs from late September until early to mid-March (approximately 18-20 weeks). There will be pauses for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, MLK weekend, and President’s Day weekends. 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 (6–10 years old) or those 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 (born in 2015 & 2016) with no (or limited) skating/playing experience may also enroll in LTP2 – subject to the approval of the Learn To Play Director.

Age Enrollment General Guidelines

● 2021 – LTP1 only 

● 2020 – LTP1

● 2019 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

● 2018 – LTP1 or LTP2 based on skill and experience level

● 2015/16/17 – 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 kariwalkerraiders@gmail.com and include your child’s birth year and a description of the player’s hockey/skating experience.

Pre-Requisites

● 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.

Program Goals

● To have fun and grow a passion for the game.

● To learn the fundamental skills required to play the game of hockey - skating, puck handling, scoring, body contact, and passing.

● To be introduced to the concepts of cooperation and fair play.

● To develop players so they are prepared to play in the Raiders Travel or House Programs.

LTP Development Path

To complete LTP 1 & LTP 2 typically takes two, and sometimes three, seasons depending upon age. A child who does not “graduate” immediately to our House program is not a failure or “behind” – many of our most skilled Raider players at the 8U through 18U levels played multiple years in LTP – your LTP player is at the very beginning of hopefully a long hockey career. We strive to create an environment where each child enjoys the game of hockey, looks forward to coming to the rink, and leaves the rink with a smile. The LTP program is all about developing players and a passion for the game.

Equipment

● 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.

Equipment Swap

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.

Dressing Your Player

● An instructional video on how to dress your new hockey player – How to Dress Youth

Hockey Players for Practice

Volunteer Coaches

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

Additional Resources

● USA Hockey has a USA Hockey Parent Guide with some good information

For more information, contact Learn to Play Director Kari Walker at kariwalkerraiders@gmail.com.