1. PARENT EDUCATION PRESENTED BY USA HOCKEY

2. Educational Materials Include:
USA HOCKEY Attempts To Educate Parents When They First Get Involved With Hockey
Educational Materials Include:
“Relax, It’s Just a Game” PSA’s, posters, etc.
“Parents In Hockey” video
“Establishing a Good Relationship Between Coach and Parent” brochure
“Parent’s Introduction to Youth Hockey” brochure
“Sportsmanship – Does it Matter?” brochure
Easy to read Official Rules of USA Hockey
USA Hockey Annual Guide

3. “Relax, It’s Just a Game” Campaign and “Parents in Hockey” Video:
Show specific examples of unacceptable behavior by parents and spectators.
The video provides positive examples for hockey parents’ behavior when dealing with their kids, other players, officials and opponents.
Should be shown to every parent at the beginning of every season.

4. “Establishing a Good Relationship Between Coach and Parent” brochure:
Outlines suggestions for developing a good working relationship between parents and coaches.
Acknowledges that parents play a very important role in the success of a positive youth sports program.
Parent Code of Conduct encourages parents to learn all they can about the game and get involved as a volunteer.
Includes codes of conduct for coaches,
parents and players.

5. “Parent’s Introduction to Youth Hockey” brochure:
Includes tips on buying equipment
Rules of the game
The role of parents in youth sports

6. “Sportsmanship – Does It Matter?” brochure:
Encourages sportsmanship and attempts to eliminate the “winning is everything” attitude.
Outlines many positive reasons to play the game other than just to win.
Also includes codes of conduct for players, coaches, parents, officials, spectators and administrators.

7. PHILOSOPHY OF YOUTH HOCKEY

8. The USA Hockey Philosophy is to Focus on:
Growth and Development
Increase Participation
Skill Development
Safe Environment
Fun/Enjoyment

9. IN THE STANDS

10. In The Stands: KEEP HOCKEY FUN
ENCOURAGE your son or daughter.
ENJOY the game.
APPLAUD good plays.
AVOID coaching from the stands.
REMEMBER Coaches and Referees are human and therefore imperfect.

11. CAR AND HOME

12. At HOME and in the CAR Remember:
There is more to life than hockey.
Do not COACH your child on the way to a game. ENCOURAGE FUN and TEAMWORK.
LISTEN to them and BE SUPPORTIVE.
NEVER second guess your child.
NEVER second guess a coach.

13. AT PRACTICE

14. At Practice… SKILL IMPROVEMENT is important. FUN is essential.
You and your child must PRACTICE EMOTIONAL CONTROL.
ALLOW the coach and player to be creative.
Here is where the game is really learned.

15. AT THE RINK

16. At the Rink… Have the rink be a POSITIVE place.
Be CERTAIN your child’s equipment is in good shape and fits properly.
Be AWARE of any potential dangerous areas in the arena. Point them out to the coach or rink manager.

17. INITIATION PROGRAM “FUN and SKILLS” brochure
Focuses on the Basic Hockey Skills.
Curriculum is a “One” Step at a Time Concept.
Provides a Positive, Non-Competitive Atmosphere.
Develops Players’ Self-Respect and Self-Discipline.

18. CROSS-ICE PROGRAM
Provides an intermediary program between the Initiation Program and a full-ice program for 8 & Under players.
Stresses participation, fun and skill development.
Provides a positive environment for learning the fundamental skills of hockey.

19. COACHING PROGRAM A Comprehensive Coaching Education Program
Coaching Education Levels
Initiation
Associate
Intermediate
Advanced
Master
High Performance Workshops
Skill Workshops
ACE Coordinators

20. ACE COORDINATORS
The Associate Coaching Education Coordinator establishes and maintains an Association Resource Center for coaches, players and parents.
Oversees the recruitment, selection, training, evaluation and disciplining of all coaches.
Plans, develops and organizes skating clinics, goaltending clinics, checking clinics and any other clinic which will meet the needs of the association’s players.
Develops a teaching and practice curriculum for the association and its coaches.
Evaluates and supervises practice sessions and offers constructive criticism to improve the program.
Communicate to Association Coaches their
certification requirements.

21. OTHER ISSUES IN YOUTH HOCKEY
Parents Expectations of Their Child
Values of Youth Hockey
Proper Equipment
Safety Around the Rink
Parents and Referees
Parent/Spectator ZERO TOLERANCE Policy
Drug Awareness
Expense of the Game

22. If All Parents/Guardians, Coaches And Officials Can IMPROVE Their Outlook On The GAME, The TRUE Winner Of Our Sport Will Be The KIDS!!

23. EVERYONE WINS Being a winner is quite easy to face,
But it takes a big person
to accept loss with grace.
To stand and shake hands
after losing a game,
And watch as another
gets glory and fame,
Takes honor and courage—
so stand straight and tall,
And know in your heart
that you gave it your all.
You’ll earn much respect—
‘cause losing’s no sin,
Showing good sportsmanship
lets everyone win.
ANN DOTTE  

24. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DISTRICT REGISTRAR FOR A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE OFFICIAL RULES OF ICE HOCKEY AND THE USA HOCKEY ANNUAL GUIDE.

25. For further information, contact the Youth Ice Hockey or Coaching Education Departments of USA Hockey at USAH (8724)