COACHES ROLE
Your Role as a Head Coach with the Cyclones is centered on value based coaching:

1. Run a good, high tempo, high quality practice
2. Be a positive role model.

First realize that you don't have to be an expert in order to make a significant contribution to these kids.

Lead by example, show up prepared for practice.

• There are more resources out today than ever before, including myself (as a former Division 1, Professional and Olympic player and Head Instructor for USA Hockey), there is no excuse for not planning an effective practice.
• For your convenience, I have set up folders to keep practice forms on file here at the rink. This will become a powerful resource for all of us having a library of drills for all various levels and situations.
• During games, bring a notepad and jot down some of the areas that you need to work on as a team. You will not be able to correct them in that game, you can try, but habits and tendencies take weeks, months and years to develop properly. If they continue to struggle with the same concept, try a different approach and always look for ways to become a better instructor.

Be a positive influence;

• Instilling confidence in players is arguably the most important thing you can do for an athlete. Successful athletes are not the most skilled; they are the most driven and play with the highest level of confidence. They are driven because they enjoy the sport more than anything else in the world. By being a constant source of positive energy, you will help our players reach their true potential as athletes and as people.
• I have seen many teams where coaches are screaming at kids for making mistakes, teammates are yelling at each other to "pass the puck" or "make a play”, and the parents are yelling at the kids and the referees to make a play. Then, after the game the players get into their cars for the ride home and the parents keep complaining about the referees, the coaches and all the other kids that don’t pass the puck or make bad plays. All these negative energies eat away at the player, piece by piece, week after week, until they hit a point where they have absolutely no desire to play the game or come to the rink. It takes zero effort or intelligence to be negative; that is why there are so many people that share this common trait, people would rather not take the risk of being wrong and prefer to deal with what has already happened.
• If you video tape games, which I highly recommend, show the clips where players are doing exactly what they were instructed to do. Make successful plays the only way they get on the video. It is those images of success that I want replaying in their heads.
• To be positive takes a lot of courage and effort, make the effort to inspire and empower the players to perform with confidence, reinforce the positive aspects of the game and you will be successful in more ways than you ever imagined.

Control your emotions.

• The second greatest thing you can do as a positive role model is to control of your emotions on the bench. The parent's and player's reactions directly stem from how you react to a situation. Only you can control whether you scream at a referee, only you are responsible for your actions. From my standpoint, it is unacceptable to be screaming at players or referees during a game. When referees make mistakes, and they will every game, use your captain to go and talk to them at the whistle. It will help your players' better understand the game more and show the referee respect - regardless if he returns it back to you or not. I'd rather win the game on skill and effort rather than trying to influence the referee to make a call. Rise above it. The bottom line is if you are not capable of controlling your emotions then you truly should not be in a position of responsibility with young kids.
• When players make mistakes, address it with them on the bench. If it is due to a lack of effort or discipline, sit them down on the bench for a couple of shifts. If a parent makes a scene during a game, ask your team manager to talk to them or discuss it with them one on one the next day. If it continues to happen, you need to contact me and we will either suspend them or ask them to leave the club.
• Have your players sitting down on the bench during the game, sticks in hand and ready to go on the ice, show that you are in complete control of your players.

Coaches Checklist:

For practices:

• Sharp, comfortable skates
• Hockey Gloves
• Proper stick
• Warm-up suit
• Whistle
• Good supply of pucks
• White board with dry-erase pens
• Large permanent marker
• General rule for drills: 80% repetition, 20% new drills
• Written practice plan

For games:

• USA Hockey Coaches Card
• Warm-up top, turtle neck, beige pants
• Good supply of pucks
• Water bottles
• First aid kit
• White board with dry-erase pens
• Note pad and pencil

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