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	Q: What is a good time for shifts for a 12 to 13 year old ? 40seconds, 50 seconds ? Please give me a good idea to tell the kids that want to live on the ice. A: When it comes to the ideal shift, you hit it right on. Forty to fifty seconds is the maximum shift length that players should be taking. Unfortunately, growing up, we as players often think we can stay out forever. As their coach, however, it is important for you to stress the importance of short shifts. At the pee wee traveling level, players need to become accustomed to shorter intervals. Most of your players will probably make the jump to Bantam, Midget, and Junior teams where long shifts won't be tolerated by coaches or fellow players. There are many reasons why the 40 second shift is the norm. Firstly, a player can't be effective for longer than this amount of time if they are giving it their all. Lactic acid build-up in their legs will cause them to hit the wall. If a player thinks he/she can make one more rush with the puck, then they need to get off. The reason being is that every player needs to be prepared to back-check. Going up the ice is the only time to change up. Even the best players in the NHL can't do more than one or maybe two trips up the ice. Another reason for short shifts is that the other guys are doing it. If your team is constantly being caught behind the play, chances are the other team has fresh legs. The truth is that all the talent in the world won't help you catch the guy in front of you, but having the legs and wind to will. Even the Wayne Gretzky's need time to recuperate. Another important thing to stress is respect. Every player has to respect his coach and his fellow teammates. Other players will lose respect for a player who seems to hog the ice. As well, hockey is a team sport, and the goal is to help the team win. Long shifts will eventually hurt the team's chances for success.       So, stress to your players the importance of short shifts. If you don't ride them about it now, they'll undoubtedly "ride the pine" down the road.
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