Youth Hockey Coaching Guide

Coaching youth hockey is a rewarding experience whether you're an experienced player-turned coach or a newbie to the sport.  The fast-paced action allows kids to learn individual and team skills. Coaching the game and working with children to develop those skills requires planning and strategy.

Start with the Basics
If you are a coach who is new to hockey, you will need to learn the basics, including the rules of the game and the responsibilities each player assumes. If you are part of a league where players play on different teams from year to year or if you are new to the team, your first job should be to find out how much your players know about the sport. Cover basic terminology and game rules. Make it fun, but get an accurate assessment of what your team knows. This will help you lay the groundwork for youth hockey practices.

Another important aspect to coaching any youth sport is getting to know your players. As soon as possible, learn the names of the players on your team. Nothing disappoints or turns off young players more than having a coach who doesn't know their names.

Develop a Yout Hockey Coaching Plan
Since you may have to share a practice facility, one of your first priorities will be to establish a practice schedule and share with parents and players. Hockey involves risk, but as a coach, one of your responsibilities is to provide a safe environment. This includes a safe practice and game facility and proper hockey equipment.

Before a practice, devise a game plan for what will be covered in that session. Break down warm-ups, drills, and scrimmages into time increments for optimum practice time. Plan seven to ten minutes of warm-up time. This includes time for stretching. A skating warm-up is a must! A five-minute skate, with alternating fast and leisure skating, gets players ready for the remainder of practice. Any successful youth hockey practice includes time spent working on drills. Drills can be fun, so don't feel you need to use only line drills, which have a lot of down time. And finally, don't forget to plan on scrimmage time. At the end of practice, make sure players stretch again for a cool-down.

Play the Game
On game day, make sure you arrive early to guarantee everything is in place. Rotate players into the game so everyone has the opportunity to play. Encourage young players during the game. Make notes about areas that need to be addressed during practice. And remember, players and coaches need to have fun!

Coaching youth hockey is a rewarding experience. Helping develop a strong interest in youth hockey will build a healthy interest in the game.