Practical Questions to Ask Your Player's New Coach

When you learn that your child is getting a new hockey coach, all kinds of questions to ask probably spring to your mind. You might want to know, for example, if the coach believes in giving all players equal playing time or makes this decision based on merit. You might also want to know what the coach’s policy is on discipline and things like missed practices.   

And, while those are all good questions to ask, don’t forget that the most practical and simple questions are often the best and will tell you a whole lot about this new and important person in your child’s life.

Ask About Past Playing Experience    

Almost all coaches start out as players themselves. So, if you want to learn about the coach and his on-the-ice credentials, ask about his experience as a player.

He might have been the star of the hockey team in high school or college, or he might even still be playing in an adult league. You’ll never know unless you ask!

Ask About Coaching Training or Certifications

Once you know about the coach’s past as a player, take some time to learn how he’s prepared to become a coach.

Did he go to school for physical education or exercise science? Or, maybe he has taken specialized training or certification programs.

Ideally, you want a coach with both education and real experience. But, at the very least, you want a coach who is willing to take steps to become even better with time. As long as you have that, don’t judge too harshly just because there are no fancy credentials attached to his name.

In fact, if you can spend less time judging and more time just focused on getting to know the coach, you’ll probably find that, regardless of past experience, this is a person willing to help your child to succeed in sports. And, really, what else could you ask for?

Identifying Potential Mental Health Issues in Young Hockey Players

Are you a youth hockey coach? Or, maybe you’re a parent of a player or a volunteer who regularly interacts with the athletes. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea to be aware of the warning signs of a potential mental health issue with your players.   

Today’s young athletes are under tremendous amounts of stress and pressure, both on and off the ice. Sometimes, these feelings can get overwhelming and can contribute to mental health concerns.

While you can’t cure mental health issues, you can be aware of the warning signs. And, if you notice them in the athletes in your life, you can suggest that they talk to a counselor or other professional who can potentially help.

What to Look For

It’s important to note that there are all kinds of mental illnesses and mental health concerns. It is never your job to diagnose a condition.

However, many mental health issues do have overlapping warning signs you can watch out for, including:

·        Changes in behavior

·        Being extremely emotional and/or volatile

·        Overreacting to mistakes or losses

·        Perfectionism

·        Getting irritable and frustrated easily

·        Isolating oneself from other players/the coach

·        A lack of interest in sports or other activities

·        Suddenly skipping practices or games

·        Poor hygiene

How to Help

If you have concerns about a player, talk to the player first. Ask if anything is different or wrong in their lives or if there’s anything you’d like to talk about.

It’s also a good idea to let the child’s parent know that you have concerns. Try to do this in as gentle a way as possible.  Make it clear you are only saying something because you care about the child’s best interest.

What the parents choose to do from there is up to them. However, by noticing a potential problem and letting parents know, you could make someone’s life much better and happier.

Qualities Every Youth Hockey Coach Should Have

When it comes to youth hockey, everyone wants their child to have a wonderful coach. However, everyone does not know what makes an awesome coach.

While every coach is different and while different athletes will have their own preferences, there are some key characteristics that every truly great coach must have.   

True Caring

The difference between a good coach and a great coach is this: a good coach cares about the team. A great coach, on the other hand, cares about both the team and the players, not just as athletes but as individuals.

A great coach will do his best to tailor his coaching style to match the specific needs of each individual player. This type of coach will strike up a special camaraderie with each player and will focus on building each and every player as an athlete and as a person.

Excellent Communication Skills

In today’s world, where everyone seems to always have their heads buried in their phones, communication is becoming a lost art. Good coaches, however, have not lost touch with how to communicate.

They will communicate criticism constructively, make their rules sound firm, and will know when to use what tone with which player and in each situation. Coaches should also be skilled at communicating with parents, officials, and everyone else involved in the game.

The Ability to Model Appropriate Behavior

One final quality of every great coach is the ability to be a great role model.

Coaches shouldn’t have to be perfect all the time, but they should always model high standards of behavior and treatment of others in everything they do. They are timely, professional, fair, and kind, and they always remember that their actions can impact the easily influenced minds of their young players.

If your children have a great coach who exhibits all of these qualities, give him a big thank you. And, if their coach falls short, it may be time to look at other coaching options. After all, every child deserves an amazing coach in his life.

What to Look for in a Youth Hockey Coach

As a parent, you undoubtedly want the very best for your child in every possible aspect. Undoubtedly, that includes having the best possible hockey coach.

But, what does it mean to be a “good” hockey coach? How can you measure something like that?

While you might be tempted to measure it in trophies or wins, there are other things far more important to seek out in a good coach.

Good Coaches Create a Supportive, Safe Environment

First of all, a coach’s job is to make his players feel like a team- to make them feel comfortable, supported, and valued.

Players should be free to express their feelings and thoughts. They should feel free to be honest and forthright and to make mistakes.

Coaches should treat players with respect and kindness at all times. That’s the only way to build a trustworthy atmosphere of support where everyone feels like they matter.

If you can find a coach who creates this kind of team feel, sign your child up for his team right away!

Good Coaches are Good Communicators

The best coaches know how to properly and effectively communicate with their players.

They do not yell without purpose or bark orders.

Likewise, they also know how to communicate with other professionals, like referees and other coaches. They are also good at communicating with parents and anyone else involved with the team.

Good Coaches Take a Break When They Need To

Coaching may be fun, but it’s also not easy, especially when one is coaching children.

Good coaches, however, are aware of their stress levels and will take breaks to let off steam when they need to.

If they find themselves growing angry or frustrated, they will “cool off” for a moment, not explode, thereby setting a good example for their young players.

Of course, no coach is ever going to be perfect. But, if you can find a coach who, for the most part, meets these expectations, then you have found a good one.

How to Foster a Positive Team Attitude

If you’re a youth hockey coach, then you already know how important it is to foster an environment and attitude of positivity for your team.   

If you don’t do this right from the start, you can expect to have an unpleasant season with lots of complaining, disappointment, and bad attitudes all around.

Fortunately, fostering a positive team attitude and atmosphere isn’t rocket science. You just have to know and follow a few simple tips

Tip #1: Be Optimistic

First things first, understand that you, as the coach, set the mood and the overall tone for your players. If you have a positive and optimistic attitude, they will too. And, unfortunately, if you’re negative and pessimistic, they will be too.

As such, make sure you encourage your players right from the get-go and that you make it clear that you expect great things from them.

Just be careful that you understand the difference between optimism and pressure. Optimism is telling your players that you believe in them, and pressure is telling them they HAVE to do well. There is a big difference, and optimism should always win out if you want to create a happy, inviting team atmosphere that is conducive to success.

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Tip #2: Be a Good Communicator

Another important thing that you can do is to communicate effectively with your young athletes.

Remember, first of all, that their attention span is not the same as an adult’s. Thus, try to deliver important messages to your players in interesting and concise ways. Long, wordy diatribes don’t tend to go over well with youth athletes.

Also, remember to keep your language positive. Never use name-calling or any berating words. Find constructive and positive ways to deliver criticism when necessary, and always couple any criticism with praise.

Aside from this, be confident and firm, but also caring, when you speak to your athletes.

Tip #3: Have Fun!

One final tip to remember when dealing with your young athletes is to have fun! Remember not to take things too seriously. Expect great things from your players but, at the same time, remember that you are dealing with youth hockey. It’s not a life or death situation.

If you are positive, enthusiastic, and having fun each day that you coach, your players will be too. And, if not, well, you’re just setting yourself and your team up for disaster.

If you can remember these tips, there is no reason that you shouldn’t be able to create a positive climate for your team in all of its endeavors.

Parent and Player Goals are not One in the Same

All too often, the parents of young hockey players often assume that their goals and their children’s goals are the same. However, in my years of experience as a youth hockey coach, I have found that nothing could be further from the truth in many cases.   

When I’ve asked my young players what their goals are when it comes to hockey, the most common answer is to “have fun.” The kids want to play for the sheer joy and fun of the game.

Sadly, the parents’ goals tend to be focused on things like winning, reaching certain levels, or gaining certain abilities. And, while there’s nothing wrong with wanting these things, it’s important to remember that the kids actually have it right; winning should never be the main focus, and skill building isn’t something that can be forced. It is something that will and should happen naturally and that will happen more easily if kids are allowed to have fun and be kids in the process.

The fact that parents’ and kids’ goals are not aligned is made abundantly clear when I’ve asked my young players what they dislike about hockey. Often, they’ll talk about how much they hate getting yelled at, being criticized, or just plain “mean” parents.

The bottom line is that the parents’ goals really shouldn’t matter to put it bluntly. What matters is the child and what he or she wants out of the game. If kids are left to be free and to have fun playing, their goals will eventually become more sophisticated on their own. The child may end up wanting to develop or improve specific skills, to win more, to play more, or even to become a professional player. But, at the end of the day, it is the child who must set and work toward these goals, without outside pressure, if they are actually going to be obtainable or to matter in the first place.

Cutting Players the Right Way

As a youth hockey coach, there are probably several parts of your job that you enjoy. Chances are, however, that cutting young players isn’t one of them. Unfortunately, though, if you’re trying to create a high-level, high-achieving team, cutting is something that can’t be avoided. The good news, however, is that there is a “right” way to go about cutting, a way that can shield the cut player from too much hurt and disappointment and that can help him or her to see the cut as an opportunity to grow and improve.

First things first, never cut a player without a good, valid reason; that should go without saying. Don’t cut a player just because he’s not that skilled either. If he made it onto the team and he’s consistently trying to improve, he deserves his spot, whether he’s doing a “great” job or not. The only players you should be cutting, especially at this level, are those who just don’t try or who have other issues, such as not attending practices or not working cooperatively with their teammates. Also, never cut a player without a lot of careful thought and consideration. A cut shouldn’t happen in a heated moment when you’re angry with a particular player. It should only happen after you’ve really devoted a lot of time and thought to your decision and are sure that you’re making it out of wanting what’s best for the team as a whole.

If, after heeding this advice, you do ultimately decide to cut a player, make sure you do it privately. You should never cut a person in front of the team. Tell your player thank you for his service if he’s already on the team. Or, if you’re making preliminary cuts, tell him good job on his tryouts. Always start the “cut” with something positive the player did and then explain, gently, why he is not making the team or is being cut from the team. Offer suggestions for improvement and make sure you reinforce that the player’s chances at an athletic “career” are not over and that there is hope.

You may also wish, depending on circumstances, to encourage the player to try out again in the future or even to attend practices to learn more about the skills required to be a valuable member of your hockey team. Just remember that you are dealing with a child here, and you don’t want to be the one who breaks his spirit. Offer chances and hope for the future while still being honest, realistic, and forthright. Put the player’s feelings first. Be willing to answer any questions he has, but also be firm. Don’t let yourself be talked out of a decision you’ve already made.

Cutting players is never easy, but it’s part of being a coach. At the end of the day, your job is always, always to do what is best for the team as a whole.

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Making the Transition from Parent to Coach

Surprisingly, it is not at all uncommon for youth hockey coaches to end up coaching their own children at one point or another. Sometimes, this happens because the parent is already acting as coach, and when the child reaches the appropriate age level, it just makes sense for him to join the team. Other times, a professional coach might suddenly depart, or there may just be a need for an affordable volunteer coach, and an interested parent steps up. Whatever the case may be, coaching your own child can be a little tricky. Fortunately, if you just keep a few simple tips in mind, it doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think.

First things first, talk to your child about the situation. Ask your child how he feels about you being his coach and what he thinks some of the advantages and disadvantages might be. This is a good way to figure out if your child is dreading the arrangement, and, if so, why. When that’s the case, you can alleviate his fears or maybe even consider the possibility of going with another team. You might also learn that your child has false perceptions of what you being his coach might be like. Some children might expect special treatment, for example, and this is the perfect time to lay some ground rules, such as letting the child know what to call you when you’re in “coach mode” and making it clear that your child will be treated just like any other player.

Secondly, make sure you follow through when it comes to treating your child just like any other player. It’s very easy to breed “bad blood” if you give your child more playing time than the other kids or allow him to get away with bad behavior or disrespect. Expect just as much from your child as you do from the other players, no more and no less.

It’s also smart to avoid coaching your child at home. You can coach your child at practices and at games, but not at home. When you do that, you’re blurring the lines and giving your child “special favors” that the other players don’t get. If you want your little one to get extra help, have him seek it from a teammate or another coach. You do not want to get accused of showing favoritism or giving your child advantages that the others don’t have.

Also, be aware that, no matter how true you are to these tips, there will likely come a time when someone accuses you of favoritism. That’s just, unfortunately, how some people think. When that happens, however, you’ll be in a good place if you have followed this advice. Everyone else will be able to vouch for you and for the fact that you are a pro at separating your “parent side” and your “coach side.”

Top Tips from Top Coaches

There are few events more revered in the coaching world than the annual Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) breakfast. The 2014 breakfast featured such top-notch coaches as Jim Thompson and Randy Shaver. The coaches in attendance were asked to share their thoughts on how to build a positive team atmosphere and commitment among players. Not only did they share specific strategies they

themselves had employed but they also gave some general tips. Some of the gems they shared included:

l  Always emphasizing positive compliments with players. Coaches should compliment more than they criticize!

l  Publicly thank assistant coaches and others who make playing possible.

l  Get to know each player individually and use the knowledge gained for person-specific coaching and encouragement.

l  Create big-picture team goals as well as individual level player goals for each player.

l  Celebrate every goal or milestone reached, no matter how small.

l  Tailor coaching to each player and his individual goals and wants; know each player’s reason for playing.

l  Challenge the team daily.

l  Create expectations for each player and for the team as a whole.

l  Set goals for each practice.

l  Smile and be positive.

l  Pay attention to player reactions and emotions and act accordingly.

l  Be consistent as a coach.

l  Don’t make excuses.

l  When a goal is reached, set a higher/harder to achieve goal. Never stop striving for betterment.

l  Communicate with players, parents, and every person or organization involved in players’ lives.

l  Focus on building a strong team and team environment, not on winning.

These goals might seem basic, but they are actually quite hard to achieve. However, the only thing you can do, as a coach, is to do your best each and every day and to try to keep these strategies and tips in mind. Will any coach ever be perfect? Absolutely not. But the difference between a good coach and a bad coach is constantly striving to be better.

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