Coaches
COACHING RESOURCES
The purpose of the Coaches Page is to assist coaches in developing better players at all levels of play.
USA Hockey Article "Oh Behave"
Chill Out and Have Fun
Mite hockey is about having fun, no more and no less. Ages 5-9 years old is hopefully when the youngsters develop basic skills and develop a love for the game. In recent weeks I have heard several stories of well-meaning Mite coaches and program administrators that have lost site of perhaps the most important aspect of the game: Having fun while learning skills.
- Mite hockey sessions need to include some basic skill instruction and then plenty of fun activities in which to practice those new skills.
- Players need to be grouped by ability, not age, grade or other factor. Yes they will learn fast and some faster than others depending on where they are in their physical development. As they improve, players can be regrouped by ability.
- The coaches/instructors need to be aware that when the players are getting bored it is time to throw away the practice plan and play some 3-on-3 cross-ice and have fun. Usually when the kids are lying on the ice it is a good sign that they are bored. Take immediate action and yell “Scrimmage!” Then proceed to set up several cross-ice games.
Mite hockey should not be training camp and Mite hockey players need to be kids. Off-ice training programs, off-season leagues and specialty skills camps will not accomplish much in the long run. Yes, they may advance some kids somewhat compared to the other kids but eventually it all equalizes as the players mature.
Since there is little evidence that highly structured programs for Mite age children have any correlation to the eventual competency of mature athletes, it makes sense to have programs that focus primarily on having fun. That does not mean basic skills like stopping, starting and turning should not be taught, but only that they be taught in a fashion that is really fun for the kids. Sort of like they are learning while they are playing some sort of activity of game. Let’s all work hard to make sure our youngest skaters, the future of this great game, learn to love it as much as we do.
Coaching Education Program (CEP) Updates
New for the 2012-2013 season, all coaches must enter USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program at Level 1, and must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year until, at a minimum, they achieve Level 3. Coaches of 8U/Mites or younger may remain at Level 1 or their current level.
http://www.usahockey.com/coaches/coaching_certification.aspx
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The USA Hockey website lists upcoming clinics and provides contact information for District Coach-in-Chiefs.
Coaching Certification List
Click here to check the status of your coaching certification
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All youth hockey coaches in Minnesota and the rest of the country are required to attend a series of clinics before they are eligible to coach.
Dave Esse
Minnesota Hockey District 11 CAP
Phone: 218-391-8845
Coaching Requirements
| Level of Play | Coaching Education Program Level |
|---|---|
| 8 & Under (Mite) | Level 1 |
| 10 & Under (Squirt) | Level 2 (Prerequisite Level 1) |
| 12 & Under (Pee Wee) | Level 3 (Prerequisite Leve 1 and 2) |
| 14 & Under (Bantam) | Level 3 (Prerequisite Level 1 & 2) |
Coaching Education Program Requirements
(1) Required Coaching Education Program Levels for Ice Hockey
All coaches must have the required certification level by January 1 of the current season.
renewal [as outlined in Paragraph (c) below] is required for coaches who have not achieved Level 4. Coaches of national tournament bound teams (Tier I 14U, 16U and 18/19U and Tier II 16U and 18/19U) must complete Level 4 in their fourth season of coaching. Coaches who attain Level 4 certification are not required to attend any further certification clinics but must adhere to the age-specific requirement as outlined in Paragraph (b) below.
(b) In addition to the training in paragraph (a) above, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules specific to the level of play they are coaching, if they have not already taken that module. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season.
(c) Coaching certification at Level 3 is valid for two (2) seasons, as indicated by the expiration date.
A coach whose Level 3 is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 curriculum or they may move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 1 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.
A coach whose Track 1 Level 3 recertification is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 2 curriculum or move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 2 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons.
Coaches whose Track 2 Level 3 Recertification is due to expire must attend a Level 4 clinic prior to the expiration of their Level 3 Recertification.
Coaches must complete the online recertification program in order to recertify their Level 3 certifications. Attending a clinic or workshop is no longer valid for recertifying any certification level.
(d) Grandfather Clause
For coaches who enrolled in the Coaching Education Program prior to May 1, 2011, their entry into the above program will be at their current certification level. Level 1 and 2 coaches must adhere to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, effective May 1, 2011. Current Level 3 coaches must adhere to paragraph (b) and (c) above; effective with the season their Level 3 expires.
This chart outlines the progression for a new coach. Coaches with pre-existing certifications will enter the new program at their current certification level and must adhere to paragraphs 1. (a) and (b) above
| YEARS of COACHING | Certification Requirements |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (ex:2011-12) | Level 1 Clinic + age specific component |
| Year 2 (ex: 2012-13) | Level 2 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 3 (ex: 2013-14) | Level 3 clinic (expires Dec. 31, 2015) + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 4 (ex: 2014-15) | No Level certification required but can attend a Level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 5 (ex: 2015-16) | Complete the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 (expires Dec. 31, 2017), or attend a Level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level. |
| Year 6 (ex: 2016-17) | No Level certification required but can attend a Level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 7 (ex: 2017-18) | Complete the online level 3, Recertification Track 2 (expires Dec. 31, 2019), or attend a level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 8 (ex: 2018-19) | No level certification required but can attend a level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 9 (ex: 2019-20) | Must attend a Level 4 clinic + age specific component if not previously taken for current age level |
| Year 10 and beyond | No Level recertification required but must complete age specific component if not previously taken for current age level. Coaches are highly encouraged to attend a continuing education course every two years. |
2) Evidence of Level
Coaches Online Instructions
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All coaches, managers, locker room attendants and board members must complete an online background screening on the Minnesota Hockey website. Go to http://www.minnesotahockey.org/ and complete a screening form. Under the “General” drop down you will find the heading “Screening” which you need to click on. Click on “register” under Coaches screening, you can then login, or create an account. When you have logged in, you can then complete the screening
