At U7–U10, girls’ hockey confidence can grow quickly when teammates learn to encourage one another instead of pointing out every mistake. Young players are still developing skills, learning Team routines, and figuring out where they fit. Because confidence can be fragile at this age, a few supportive words from another player can make a real difference.
That is the idea behind Build her Up™. A Positive Player™ does not need to become a Coach or solve another player’s problems. Instead, she learns to notice effort, improvement, courage, and moments when a teammate could use encouragement.
The lesson also connects with our growing PLAYER POSITIVE™ collection, which focuses on helping Hockey players develop character, confidence, resilience, Teamwork, and positive habits.
Girls Hockey confidence grows through encouragement
Every U7–U10 Team includes players at different stages of development. One girl may already skate confidently, while another is still learning how to stop. A teammate might score often, yet someone else may be celebrating her first good pass.
Those differences are completely normal. However, young players can begin learning that another player’s struggle is not an invitation to criticize her.
For example, a teammate who misses the puck probably already knows she made a mistake. She usually does not need another eight-year-old explaining the problem from three feet away. What may help more is a quick “You’ve got it” before the next drill or shift.
As a result, encouragement becomes part of girls’ hockey confidence. Players begin to understand that Teams become stronger when people help one another recover instead of making mistakes feel bigger.
Build her up when something goes wrong
Mistakes happen constantly in youth Hockey. Pucks are missed, passes go to the wrong place, players fall down, and occasionally somebody heads toward the wrong end of the rink. U7–U10 Hockey remains gloriously capable of producing the unexpected.
At the same time, this age provides an excellent opportunity for children to begin learning how teammates should respond.
A Positive Player™ can encourage rather than embarrass. Instead of laughing at a mistake, she can help the player move forward. Rather than complaining about a missed pass, she can prepare for the next play.
This idea supports the Team-first message in PLAYER POSITIVE™ – Teamwork Turns Talent Into Success. Individual ability matters, but Teams improve when players support one another and continue working together.
Most importantly, building a teammate up does not require pretending every play was perfect. Players can learn from mistakes while still treating one another with respect.
Girls Hockey confidence is not built by comparison
Young players quickly notice differences in ability. They see who scores more often, who skates faster, who receives praise, and who seems to learn new skills first.
Comparison is natural. However, constant comparison can make Hockey feel like a ranking exercise instead of a place to learn, improve, and have fun.
Therefore, Coaches and parents can help players focus on personal progress. A girl who could not complete a skill two weeks ago but can do it today has achieved something important, even if another player learned it sooner.
In addition, teammates can reinforce that progress. Saying “Nice job” after somebody finally succeeds gives recognition to improvement rather than simply comparing her with the strongest player on the Team.
For additional development resources, families and Coaches can explore Hockey Canada’s Girls and Women’s Hockey programs and USA Hockey’s Girls Hockey resources.
The broader lesson is simple: players develop at different speeds, and every girl deserves room to improve.
Coaches can strengthen girls Hockey confidence
Coaches have enormous influence over what young players believe deserves recognition.
For instance, if praise is given only for goals, children may quickly decide that scoring is the only contribution that matters. Instead, Coaches can recognize effort, improvement, good decisions, Teamwork, and positive responses after mistakes.
A Coach might notice the player who made a smart pass, the girl who kept trying after struggling with a drill, or the teammate who encouraged somebody else.
In turn, that recognition reinforces the behavior we want young players to repeat.
The Hockey Resource™ Coach Leadership™ approach emphasizes confidence, culture, resilience, and developing better Hockey people. At U7–U10, one way to strengthen that culture is to make encouragement visible and valuable.
Because players often copy the behavior adults recognize, Coaches can help make Build her Up™ part of the Team’s everyday language.
Parents can support girls Hockey confidence
Parents also have opportunities to reinforce the message away from the rink.
For example, after practice, instead of asking only whether your daughter scored or played well, ask whether a teammate improved at something. You could also ask whether anyone on the Team needed encouragement that day.
Those questions shift attention away from individual performance and toward awareness of other people.
Similarly, parents can help children understand that encouragement is different from pretending. A Positive Player™ does not have to tell a teammate every play was excellent. She can simply recognize effort, improvement, or the courage to try again.
Families looking for broader guidance around the youth Hockey experience can explore Hockey Parent Intelligence™, where The Hockey Resource™ focuses on helping parents make informed decisions and create healthier Hockey experiences.
Girls Hockey confidence during league games
League games create different emotions than practices. Players may feel more pressure because there is a scoreboard, families are watching, and mistakes can suddenly seem more important.
However, the basic Player Positive™ lesson does not change.
If a teammate misses a scoring opportunity, the next comment should not make her feel worse. When a player loses the puck, teammates can remain engaged instead of showing frustration. After a goal against, the Team can reset rather than searching for somebody to blame.
Consequently, positive communication helps young girls understand that one play does not define the rest of the game.
That lesson also connects with PLAYER POSITIVE™ – Character Shows When Nobody Is Watching. Character is often revealed through small choices, especially when frustration would make a negative reaction easier.
Girls Hockey confidence during tournament weekends
Tournament weekends add another challenge because players spend much more time together. Several games, travel, meals, hotel time, long waits, excitement, and fatigue can create plenty of opportunities for children to become less patient.
Because of that, encouragement matters away from the ice as well.
A teammate might have a difficult first game and still need to feel included at lunch. Another player may be disappointed after a loss, yet she should not feel isolated because she made a mistake. Meanwhile, the girl who had a terrific game should be able to enjoy her success without teammates becoming resentful.
Therefore, tournament weekends can become excellent opportunities to practice Player Positive™ habits.
The expectation is not perfect behavior from seven-, eight-, nine-, or ten-year-olds for an entire weekend. Instead, adults can keep reinforcing one simple Team standard:
We build teammates up, especially when the weekend gets difficult.
The PLAYER POSITIVE™ challenge
At the next practice, league game, or tournament, encourage your player to notice one teammate who could use support.
Perhaps someone is learning a difficult skill. Maybe a player made a mistake and looks upset. Another girl might simply be having a quieter day than usual.
Then, encourage one positive action.
A smile can help. A quick “Nice try” can help. So can a fist bump, compliment, or invitation to join the group.
Small actions are enough.
The Hockey Resource™ answer
At U7–U10, girls Hockey confidence grows when players feel comfortable enough to try, fail, learn, and try again.
Young players do not need teammates evaluating every mistake. Instead, they need a Team environment where effort is noticed, improvement is celebrated, and nobody gains status by making another player feel smaller.
That is why the message is straightforward:
Build her Up™
Encourage effort. Celebrate improvement. Help teammates recover from mistakes.
Ultimately, when young girls build one another up, the whole Team has a better opportunity to grow.
PLAYER POSITIVE™
The Hockey Resource™
We Make Better Hockey People.™
FAQ
Why is girls’ hockey confidence important at U7–U10?
Confidence helps young players continue trying when skills are difficult. In addition, a supportive Team environment can make mistakes feel like part of learning rather than something embarrassing.
How can young players build teammates up?
They can recognize effort, say something encouraging after a mistake, celebrate improvement, include teammates, and avoid laughing at another player’s struggles.
Should Coaches correct mistakes?
Yes. Coaching and encouragement can exist together. However, the goal should be helping players learn without creating an environment where mistakes lead to embarrassment or fear.
How can parents reinforce Build her Up™?
Parents can ask children about teammates who improved, worked hard, or needed encouragement. As a result, those conversations help young players notice more than their own performance.
Does encouragement make players less competitive?
No. Young athletes can compete hard while still supporting teammates. In fact, a positive Team environment can help players take risks, learn new skills, and recover more effectively after mistakes.
As always, thank you for being part of The Hockey Resource Community.
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