Coach Information

If you are interested in coaching for the 2023-2024 season, please complete the registration here: http://canmoremha.rampregistrations.com/. Those interested in a Head Coach position will be contacted by the Coach/Skills Coordinator, Jeff Giesler. 

Coaching Requirements:

For a list of Clinic's and to determine what is required for the upcoming season, please view this link here: https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/coaches/coaching-requirements/. Due date to complete is November 15th, 2023. 

• Strong hockey background in playing, coaching, evaluating
• Strong interest and commitment to child/athlete development
• Ability to work with fellow coaching personnel
• Ability to communicate on and off-ice requirements to players and parents
• Available to meet time requirements
• Respect in Sport-Activity Leader: New Coaches: All new coaches will need to complete the Respect In Sport- Coach/Activity Leaders Certification. This will need to be renewed every four years. This course fee can be reimbursed via the team manager. Please submit your receipt in the fall. For more information on the course and to sign up please visit https://ha.respectgroupinc.com/. Returning Coaches: If Respect in Sport was taken in 2018 or earlier, the expiry date is May 1, 2023 and re-certification for the 2023-2024 season will be required.
• Vulnerable Sector and Criminal Record Check: Every two seasons our team officials are required to have a Vulnerable Sector and Criminal Record Check completed. Here is the volunteer letter that you will need to take with you to the local RCMP station. These completed checks will be kept on file until an update is needed.

Coach Job Descriptions

The Head Coach, along with assistance of the Team Manager:

• Serve as the official spokesperson on behalf of the team
• Coordinate the delegation of responsibilities to the assistant coach
• Plan on and off-ice activities in consultation with the assistant coach
• Organize parents meeting to inform them on the team's hockey season plan
• Plan, implement and control pre-game preparation and communication with the team
• Design the practice plans in consultation with the assistant coach
• Coach the team in all games and practices
• Establish rules for the team and oversee the supervision of the players

Assistant Coach:

• Assist with planning, organizing and conducting practices
• Assist with pre-game preparation
• Assist with the operation of the team during the games
• Assist with the supervision of players off and on the ice
• Assist with the formulation of the game plan
• Report to the head coach

Additional Resources/Questions to Consider

Resources:

Hockey Alberta has put together some helpful resources for coaches, including age specific goals and practice plans. Coach Resources 

Concussion and Injury Information

Mental Health Resources

Emergency Action Plan

Questions to Consider:

Communicating With Players:

These are some questions that a coach or assistant coach should consider when dealing with players:

• How are your team rules communicated to the players?
• How do you instil a sense of motivation into one or more players?
• Do you see yourself as a role model for the athlete?
• How do you handle the player who does not get along with teammates?
• What approach will you take to individual and team discipline?
• What is your approach when dealing with players who have suggestions?
• How would you handle a situation where there is jealousy between two players or where two players dislike one another?
• How do you handle behaviour changes of your players at the specific age group?
• What makes players of this age-group different from adults?

Communicating With Parents:

These are some questions that a coach or assistant coach should consider when dealing with parents:

• How you would handle a parent who has a different philosophy or game plan than yours?
• What is your approach when dealing with parents who have criticisms and/or complaints?
• What is your approach when you hear that a parent is criticizing you "behind your back" and hasn't approached you on their own to discuss the concern?
• How would you approach the parent who is excessively vocal and negative in the stands knowing that it is affecting either their own child or the team?
• How would you handle a complaint from a parent that his/her child does not play enough?
• What are the most important steps in a dispute resolution?

Self Assessment - How am I Doing?

A self-evaluation is a useful tool for personal development. At a minimum, it creates an introspective look into an individuals personal coaching style and motivations. It can target strengths and weaknesses, and may lead to realizations about barriers to effective coaching style.

The following sets of questions can help you articulate your philosophy of coaching as well as the atmosphere of your team and practices.

• How do I want players to interact on the ice?
• What resources should be available to my players?
• What was the most important thing I tried to teach the players this week, month?
• What is the most important thing my players will learn from me this season?
• What did I learn from my players this week?
• Did I reach my coaching goals?
• Are the players having fun?  Am I having fun?