OT - Coaching Minor Hockey

[TeamRenzo]

Does anyone have any experience with coaching minor hockey in the Ottawa area? It seems like a big commitment to be a head coach, I have offered to be an assistant coach as it is my first year but I am being pushed to be a head coach.

I have zero experience in coaching and dont want to bite off more than I can chew, and I certainly dont want to let the kids down.

I know there is a police background check, does anyone know if you can coach if you have a less than perfect record.

Any input would be appreciated.

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[Flamingo]

Does anyone have any experience with coaching minor hockey in the Ottawa area? It seems like a big commitment to be a head coach, I have offered to be an assistant coach as it is my first year but I am being pushed to be a head coach.

I have zero experience in coaching and dont want to bite off more than I can chew, and I certainly dont want to let the kids down.

I know there is a police background check, does anyone know if you can coach if you have a less than perfect record.

Any input would be appreciated.

The police check is the same whether you want to be a head coach or assistant coach or trainer or team manager. I don't know what history would disqualify you from being a minor hockey volunteer, but I think there are differences between that, and clearance for a daycare worker, teacher, and other positions that put you in charge of minors or other vulnerable people.

I had one assistant whose police check was rejected. Others didn't clear on the first pass because of similarities (birthday, place of birth, last name) with someone else who wouldn't clear.

Head coaching is a lot of work, depending on how comfortable you are with making practice plans. Book tournaments early, enlist a team manager volunteer asap, and come up with a fair way to distribute position assignments, captaincy, player-of-the-game awards, etc.

Primarily, your job is to keep the kids safe. After that comes fun, skill development, and pushing for achievement.

What association?

 

[SensAreSoClose]

Thankless job for the most part, good luck.

 

[TeamRenzo]

The police check is the same whether you want to be a head coach or assistant coach or trainer or team manager. I don't know what history would disqualify you from being a minor hockey volunteer, but I think there are differences between that, and clearance for a daycare worker, teacher, and other positions that put you in charge of minors or other vulnerable people.

I had one assistant whose police check was rejected. Others didn't clear on the first pass because of similarities (birthday, place of birth, last name) with someone else who wouldn't clear.

Head coaching is a lot of work, depending on how comfortable you are with making practice plans. Book tournaments early, enlist a team manager volunteer asap, and come up with a fair way to distribute position assignments, captaincy, player-of-the-game awards, etc.

Primarily, your job is to keep the kids safe. After that comes fun, skill development, and pushing for achievement.

What association?

KMHA. I would prefer to be an assistant coach so I can understand what is expected of the head coach.

Was the assistant coach had the rejected police check still allowed to coach?

 

[Flamingo]

KMHA. I would prefer to be an assistant coach so I can understand what is expected of the head coach.

Was the assistant coach had the rejected police check still allowed to coach?

Check your PM inbox.

 

[Flamingo]

http://cdn.agilitycms.com/hockey-ca...-Out/Downloads/criminal_record_search_eng.pdf

Offences which could deem the individual ineligible to participate in any capacity with Hockey Canada are listed below. Note this is reference
only and not a complete list of applicable charges.


Assault with a Weapon

Assault Cause Bodily Harm

Aggravated Assault

Sexual Assault

Sexual Interference

Sexual Exploitation

Invitation to Sexual Touching

Making, distributing or possessing child pornography

Current prohibitions or probation orders fo
rbidding the individual to have contact with
children under the age of 14

Indictable criminal offences for child abuse

Luring a Child

Voyeurism

Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking

Production of a Substance (as defined in the C.D.S.A.)

Robbery


Recommended offences for which disqualification from participation is to be determined by Hockey Canada are listed below. Note this is reference only and not a complete list of applicable charges


Assault

Threatening

Possession of a Substance (as defined
in the Controlled Drug and Substance Act
[C.D.S.A.])

Impaired Driving

Theft, Fraud and Related Offence (wh
ile in a Position of Trust)

Convictions pertaining to illegal substances, other than for manufacture and/or
trafficking

Firearm Related Offences (other than use of firearm in the commission of an offence)

 

[Canadian91]

Just don't verbally abuse officials and you'll be fine.

 

[Cosmix]

KMHA. I would prefer to be an assistant coach so I can understand what is expected of the head coach.

Was the assistant coach had the rejected police check still allowed to coach?

Starting as assistant coach is best. I started that way, in baseball first, and then became a head coach for my son. I coached house league only. I highly recommend the CAHA coaching courses. I took all of them up to and including the top level course with exam for coaching competitive hockey. If you only intend on coaching house league, you only need the first level. For house league the focus should be on having fun and equal ice time. Winning is only an outcome and not the objective in house league! I bought many books on coaching, strategy, tactics, etc. which were informative and helpful. In house league, practices should be both fun and instructive. I focused on skating and puck handling in practice because that was the major area where improvement was required. I always had a srimmage at the end of practice to keep the fun in it. One year i managed to arrange for over 60 games by using some extra practice ice. It took a lot of my time, but it was fun for me to do it.

 

[LatteLarrys]

When I had to complete my 40 hours of community service back in high school, I volunteered to help a bantam team on which my relative was an assistant coach. My tasks primarily involved helping to run and manage drills during practice, working with individual players, and opening doors during games. It was a really neat experience, but even then, I'd be much more comfortable serving as an assistant coach if I've had no prior experience leading a team. If you're personally not comfortable with the responsibilities and duties that they're pushing onto you, then don't hesitate to decline the head role.

 

[Flamingo]

You might be able to ask for a strong/experienced assistant that is otherwise committed to another team.

Don't hesitate to volunteer if you can, there is a reason they are asking you.

 

[Cosmix]

One more thing. Keep your wits about you. Some children and their parents can be a problem. Keep calm and don't over react to events. To ensure that no parent accused me of favoritism of my son, i ensured he never got more ice time than any other player. He was also the first player on the team to serve any penalties called against the team. He did not like that much but understood why after i explained it to him.

I once had a player volunteer to take a minor penalty for the team. His father cussed and sweared at me when his son went into the penalty box. His son apologized to me for his dad's bad behavior. His son was obviously a much better person and rose highly in my opinion of him.

On another occasion, one of our team's players poked another team's players in the back of the knee with his stick, injuring the player. The father of the injured player came to our bench after the game and was threatening our player. I stepped in between to try to calm him down and prevent an assault on out player. The father garabbed me by the lapel and clenched his fist threatening to hit me. I was calm and said if he continued and hit me, he would be charged with assault. His wife spoke and called him away. My advice to anyone coaching is to keep calm and under control at all times.

 

[DrakeAndJosh]

I head coached last year with no prior experience as a non parent. It's a ton of fun and very rewarding watching the players and the team improve throughout the year. Lean on anyone with experience especially the coaches of other teams. If you do shared practices try to have it so the other coach runs it for the first month or so so you can get a feel on how to do it. Some practices are gonna suck and some drills won't work out at all, but once you get the hang of what works and what doesn't running a practice becomes second nature. Make sure you have an experienced manager because mine didn't do anything last year and I ended up organizing way more than I should have. Luckily another parent stepped up and took over half way through.

Set rules and expectations early for players but for parents as well. If you aren't on them early to show up on time and let you know when they'll be absent it becomes impossible to take control of it later.

My biggest piece of advice though would be to have the attitude that's it's just minor hockey and it's likely that no one there is gonna go to the nhl. Just have fun and don't take things too seriously.

 

[OgieO]

Just getting started with coaching my own kids - anyone know a good resource for drills for younger children?

 

[DrakeAndJosh]

Just getting started with coaching my own kids - anyone know a good resource for drills for younger children?

If you're with KMHA you should get a free account with hockeyshare that has tons of drills and practice plans. You'll also get a binder filled with drills for your kid's age group when you complete the coaching course.

 

[sanityplease]

Just getting started with coaching my own kids - anyone know a good resource for drills for younger children?

Hockey Canada website has them (drills etc.).

'The Rink' section here on HFBoards can also be a useful resource.

 

[coladin]

I've been an assistant coach in hockey for years, and a head coach in soccer for a while too. It is an extremely rewarding journey.

What level? What age group? Big factors these two.

I have been manager, treasurer as well, hockey works when everyone pitches in and goon on you and others.

 

[Kickabrat]

I coached my sons in minor hockey for 15 years. it was great for the most part. Several regular season championships and 1 league championship. The amount of headaches you endure depends on the age group. 14-16 year olds tend to be the most difficult. 6-10 year olds, the parents are most difficult. My advice would be to be upfront with all your players and parents about what you expect and how you intend to run things..and stick to it. Have a weekly news letter so everyone knows when and where the games are, any upcoming social events (Xmas party, etc.). Get a parent volunteer to help. Most importantly, NEVER show up to a game with alcohol on your breath, and don't swear.

Check with your association if they will be offering coaching clinics. I was certified by taking various courses offered by Hockey Canada through our minor hockey association. I knew nothing when I started and these courses were a god send. Great stuff. Their web site has tons of reference material. How to run a practice, drills, etc. Also see if your association has a mentoring program where a veteran coach is made available to help out and offer guidance. Even with all the headaches I would not have traded the experience for anything.