The check is a hot topic in Canadian youth hockey circles.

To check or not to check?

That's more than just the proverbial $64 question here in the land of the frozen North.

There has been a debate across Canada over the last couple of years about checking in youth hockey and the issues are a) at what age should body checking be introduced in youth hockey, and b) whether it should be allowed at all until kids are in their mid-teens and are a little more coordinated and steadier on their skates.

Suffice it to say that the age limit criteria have sparked an emotional debate in neighborhood arenas.

Last year, Hockey Canada approved dropping the age body checking is introduced from peewee (age 11-12) to atom (age 9-10 levels). Those who favored the move felt that 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls might as well get used to the physical part of the game now rather than wait until later. Those in favor felt that by waiting until a later age to teach how to check, you are putting the child's safety at risk.

Alan Adams has covered hockey since 1984 with the Canadian Press, Toronto Star and National Post. He also has covered three Winter Olympics (1988, 1994 and 1998). Adams also is a contributor to stlouisblues.com and his column on all things Canadian will appear each week on NHL.com. More Adams: Habs gain with Gainey All hockey, all the time

The critics pointed to injuries suffered by players at the younger age group. After much debate, the standard for checking was returned to the 11-12 age level. Each side in the debate has carefully explained the pros and cons of their position and there seems to be no middle ground. Hockey Canada has tried to find some common ground with the release of its latest teaching tool -- a DVD entitled "Check It Out" which teaches kids the fundamentals of checking.

Hockey Canada plans to distribute the DVD to all youth hockey associations across the country, but there's a catch. It's not mandatory viewing by the coaches. Hockey Canada "highly recommends" that the DVD be viewed by those same coaches parents entrust with the safety of their child or children.

"The challenge is with the number of teams playing across the country, how do you enforce whether a coach views a video or really takes note of the resources made available to him?" says Paul Carson, Hockey Canada's Director of Development. "The parent in this case with our campaign is really going to be the catalyst to say to their coach, 'We'd really like to see that resource and we'd like to know whether or not you plan on showing it to our children and if you plan on building those elements into practices.'"

The DVD is a great teaching tool and it breaks down checking into four steps: 1. Angling and Positioning; 2. Stick Checking; 3. Body Contact/Confidence; 4. Body Checking. The idea is to teach the basics of hitting, and in some ways Hockey Canada is trying to enforce the notion that the checking done by professional players -- and grown men -- doesn't apply to kids hockey.

"We have to very careful that we don't allow ourselves and we don't allow our membership to push the National Hockey League game or the professional game down into amateur sport," said Carson. "Amateur sport is a place that provides youngsters with an opportunity to grow and thrive as young people. It's not about producing future stars, it's not about giving kids the opportunity for careers in the game. It's about giving kids the opportunity to engage in healthy sport activity."

There is absolutely nothing complicated about the teaching tips. The DVD makes information on body checking more accessible and there's no reason to think that a youth hockey coach won't take advantage of this teaching tool and implement a checking drill at a practice. There's nothing like a little variety to spice things up and checking is a skill that can be taught at a young age. Practices should not be about learning drills and lining up to take shots at a goalie.

"We have to give the kids the opportunity to try things they don't usually try," says Dave King, the ex-coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames. "Let the kids experiment and give them chances to make mistakes and learn. Be creative and we want those kids of players at our level. The main thing is Hockey Canada has the content to help coaches teach.

A DVD entitled "Check It Out" has been distributed to teach kids the fundamentals of checking.

"There is a real misconception that practice and training are not fun and I think that's when kids should have a ball at the rink. You can have different activities going on at three areas of the rink and that is fun. I think there is a misconception about practice, standing in line and waiting for a turn. Have a good practice, a creative practice. That's the fun in coaching and that's where coaches have the most fun with the players because you get the chance to work together and it is fun."

Carson, meanwhile, says he's not surprised the debate over the checking has galvanized parents, given Canada's passion for the hockey.

"I think a lot of people wanted to know, if body checking was going to be introduced at that age level, where were the educational resources to support coaches?" he says. "They've always been there. We've taken a step in terms of creating a broader resource that would address the needs of minor hockey associations, parents and officials. We've taken a step in terms of creating a broader resource that would address the needs of minor hockey associations, parents and officials."

"Last year we had a lot of attention around the issue of what is the right age that checking should be introduced. We still don't have what I feel are definitive answers to where the right age is, but at the same time we have the need to put the right resources in place to support coaches."

In the end, it is up to the parents to involve themselves in the "Check It Out" DVD and you'd have to say the teaching tool has an appropriate title for those involved in all levels of youth hockey.

As for the debate about the age issue, it will go on forever.

But at least Hockey Canada is making more resources available to teach kids how to make a hit and take a hit properly. As the national governing body for youth hockey, they are doing what they can and it's hard to ask for more.

Now it's up to coaches and parents to take the next step.