Coach's Corner
Coaching young hockey players is at once thrilling, fulfilling,
and occasionally, trying. Coaches should bear in mind that
their players are kids, and that hockey should be fun.
Patience and reassurance by coaches and teammates helps build the
foundation of teamwork that is key to a successful hockey club at
any level.
Youth hockey instills values of teamwork, camaraderie, work
ethic and sportsmanship and helps players and families alike form
bonds that last a lifetime.
Please reference the following document for some great Coaching
Tips:
Coaching tips
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The Basics of Positive Coaching
Coaches, parents and kids alike can learn about the basics of
positive coaching from former Chicago Backhawk defenseman and now
general manager of the San Jose Sharks. His interview with the
founder of the Positive Coaching Alliance, Jim
Thompson, can be heard here.
In this wide-ranging, 30-minute discussion, the former NHL star
discusses concepts such as Coaching for Mastery, bouncing back from
mistakes, and other core principles within the Responsible Sports
guides developed by Positive Coaching Alliance.
USA Hockey's American Development Model (ADM)
"Put yourself in the shoes of an 8-year-old and ask yourself
some questions. What's important to you? What kinds of things do
you want to be doing? (And, maybe most important, what's for
dinner?) Now list the things that would be appealing to the
8-year-old you. Family. Playing with friends. Goofing off. Because
this is what kids do. They act like kids.
There isn't a parent, teacher or coach who wouldn't agree that
today's kids are brimming with potential. And there's that word:
potential. It's the great "what could be" in a kid - if given the
proper push. A push from an encouraging parent, great friend or
dedicated coach. Wherever that potential forms, it takes time to
develop and it's different for each kid. The potential to be a
doctor. A Hollywood star. An NHL center. The mission of the ADM is
to pull out that vast potential in every kid."
The above excerpt is from the website of the American Development
Model (ADM). ADM was developed by USA Hockey, in partnership with
the NHL, as a guideline for successfully developing youth hockey
players. It provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to
hockey associations across America to help more kids play, love and
excel in hockey. To learn more about ADM, click here.
USA Hockey: The ABCs of the ADM
The American Development Model is a nationwide model for
successfully developing American hockey players, starting with the
Mite 8 & Under category. The goals include developing athletes
and their love for the game over the long term-while unlocking each
player's potential on and off the ice.
Click here to see all the ABCs of the ADM.