Coaching Guidelines

Coaching Guidelines

Coaching philosophy

• Our number one goal as coaches is to develop the players into better hockey players and prepare them for the more competitive levels of hockey that we hope they will enjoy later in life. This includes not only hockey skills but also learning about leadership, discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork and all the great things about hockey.  
• We need to remember we are representing the organization in all our actions. We, therefore, should behave respectfully to referees, coaches and players. Hockey can be an emotional game with competition, and we should strive to lead by example in controlling our tempers.  Recognizing most coaches are also parents, we must be sure to treat our own kids the same as we would any other child, meaning no excessive coaching and/or reprimands on the bench.

Head coach responsibilities 

• Complete all USA hockey and WAHA requirements and ensure all assistant coaches do the same. Proof of completion is to be shared with our registrar.
• Qualified Zamboni drivers to cover the ice maintenance responsibilities for the team.
• Recruit a team manager to help with communication and assignment of tasks.

Practices

• Practices are to start shortly after ice is available with Bantams, PeeWees, and Squirts all starting the first week and Mites and Rink Rats started in later weeks.  
• All practices should have plans developed ahead of time. Plans should be circulated to the assistant coaches prior to practice so they are prepared. When possible, copy the other head coaches in the association so we can share drills.
• Planning resources – 
• http://www.usahockey.com/practiceplans
• http://weisstechhockey.com/
• https://www.hockeyshare.com/
• Ice time is valuable and should be reserved for running drills. Use off-ice “chalk talk” formats as much as possible to explain systems and any complex drills for formations.
• Dryland can be a valuable supplement to practice, particularly on weeks where there are fewer practices due to high school games. Local schools have gyms available for use that can be scheduled ahead of time.  

Games

• Games are a great opportunity to apply the skills and concepts learned in practice.  
• Games are to start in staggered dates with the oldest levels starting first and youngest starting later. Below are guidelines to help with year-to-year consistence. Variation from the guidelines at the discretion of the Director of Hockey and head coach is permissible for good reason.
• Bantams start games the first weekend in November. USA Hockey recommends a maximum of 40-50 games. Our typical ranges have been from 38-45 games.  
• PeeWees start games the first weekend in November. USA Hockey recommends a maximum of 40 games and 35 game days. Our typical ranges have been from 38-44 games.  
• Squirts start games the second weekend in November. USA Hockey recommends a maximum of 35 games and 25 game days. Our typical ranges have been from 34-43 games.  
• Mite events can begin after the other levels have started games. USA hockey makes it recommendations of a max of 60 on ice sessions and 50 on ice days.  
• Coaches should do their best to develop all kids equally and keep playing time in both standard play as well as during power plays and penalty kill as even as possible during regular season play. This may not apply during the last 3 minutes of close games or in games leading up to tournaments or playdowns. It is understood and supported by the association that playing time may not be equal in tournaments, particularly state tournaments and/or qualification games (playdowns).  
• The better their overall hockey IQ the better the players will become. Therefore, kids should learn to play as many positions as possible throughout the year.

Director of Hockey- Brandon McPeak