COACHES' CHECKLIST
As the season is set to begin, try to kick it off with a team meeting including the parents. Explain your vision for the months to come, expectations, rules/regulations/obligations/responsibilities/etc. Most of all though, create a warm and welcoming environment from the start. Offer some ownership of the team to the parents as jockeys for video, photos, locker room monitor, penalty box attendant, social planner, travel coordinator, etc., so that they are able to feel the part.
Furthermore, depending on the area of expertise a parent may have earned, invite him/her to make a presentation to your team or multiple teams on matters like motivation, injury prevention and recovery, nutrition, fitness, and so on. Guarantee this will have a positive impact on those talking about you, the coach, behind your back at the rink and in the car.
Be an honest leader on your team. Do not over-extend yourself with promises that you are not able to keep. Anything you say, follow with actions. All this will lead into creation and development of trust between you and the players (families). Once you succeed with this, your audience will not only listen, but also follow your lead.
Coaches' Checklist for the Upcoming Season in the Order Listed:
- Register with USA Hockey online. Hold on to your registration number because you will need it at numbers 2 and 3.
- Cover the SafeSport initiative online. Each association/rink should have a SafeSport Administrator in place, if you have questions about it. Once finnished, you are to pass the proof of completion to the administrator/coaching director/rink director for verification.
- Take age-appropriate coaching module(s) online, e.g. if you coach PWs, take the PW module. If you have already taken one in the past, you need not repeat it. Proof again to the appropriate personnel.
- Sign up for a coaching clinic. Only if needed, as per your current level and the year obtained. You are allowed to participate at only one clinic level per season. Levels 1, 2, and 3 in Oklahoma and Texas will be set and posted in late-August. Clinics will be held September through December.
Proper certification is a must for all coaches on the bench so Associations need to be sure that their coaches are attending coaching clinics. Each coach should be certified at the proper level for the division he/she is coaching.
Coach-in-Chief
Kelly Clymer
Phone: 214-546-4913
