Submitted to usa hockey level 5 Research Project Review Committee By Steve Flavin  Coach, Navy Youth Hockey



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I. Goals of USA HOCKEY

For coaches, there is no doubt about the primary goal of USA Youth Hockey. Namely, it’s not about winning every game, but rather, it’s about teaching players how to play hockey and having FUN playing the game.


For the youth players, from start to finish, each and every time on the ice should bring a positive experience. Players, especially at the youth level, often identify their excitement about playing hockey from watching the professional NHL players and wanting to match, or imitate, their skills and finesse. Certainly, I was one of them. I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and players like Gordie Howe, Alex Delvechio, and Stan Mikita, were my idols. Of course, Bobby Orr, the young phantom defensive superstar soon became everyone’s favorite. I just wanted to play hockey like them. Certainly, wanting to play the game well is a positive goal. Wanting to learn the game is important. Wanting to be the best of the best is admirable. Therefore, coaches need to keep in mind that making “winning every game”, or “winning is everything” as their team goal is not in line with the core values and focus of USA Youth Hockey. Let having fun and players being a part of the game serve as the guide for coaches towards achieving the primary goal of USA youth hockey.
In searching for written materials and guidance on this very topic, one of the best and most helpful references that I found regarding a goal for youth hockey can be found in the 2005-2007 Official Rules and Casebook of Ice Hockey. Here, under the PREFACE, Philosophy of Youth Hockey, the authors state:

“Enjoyment and recreational benefits are the major focus of new guidelines for youth hockey issued by the Board of Directors, USA Hockey. More that 80 percent of over 35,000 registered teams play in the age classifications 17 or-under, prompting the Youth Council of USA Hockey to emphasize the educational and recreational values of ice hockey.”


USA Hockey recommended guidelines for youth hockey encourages a noncompetitive environment in which children and youth can learn the basic skills without the distractions that are often associated with an over-emphasis on winning. Mastery of the fundamental skills and the fun of playing are essential to the development of a lifetime interest in hockey. Program must be conducted to accommodate the number of players who wish to play hockey and to reduce the number who become disenchanted and drop out.
These voluntary guidelines are directed at children’s programs, but they must be implemented by adults if they are to influence youth hockey programs. Coaches, officials, parents, administrators, and rink operators must all do their part to ensure that the USA Hockey philosophy and the following guidelines are upheld:





  • An opportunity to practice and play under the direction of a good coach is the primary prerequisite to skill development. Players should be given ample opportunities to develop to the limits of their potential, regardless of their abilities.




  • It is recommended that adult volunteers place a primary emphasis on the formal education of players, and de-emphasis on excessive competition and professionalism in the youth age classification.

An additional resource that I wish to proffer can be found in Stephen R. Covey’s renowned book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”.


Namely, HABIT 2: Begin with the End in Mind. On this topic, Covey writes:

“The most effective way I know to begin with the end in mind is to develop a personal mission statement or philosophy or creed. It focuses on what you want to be (character) and to do (contributions and achievements) and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based. [Page 106]


As a coach (and also as a business professional), I find this suggested habit to be very helpful for every coach. Namely, begin with the end in mind - making hockey FUN! Perhaps too often, coaches, players, and parent alike see, and place, “winning” as the end result of their hockey experiences. That’s what they perceive the sport of hockey is all about – competition. Competition means winning. And when a team doesn’t win, then hockey just ain’t fun any more. Without further argument, I wholeheartedly suggest that keeping FUN as the end in mind will help guide and keep coaches on the path to being highly effective people (coaches). As previously mentioned, begin and end the season with FUN in mind.

More specifically, how would you make FUN the ultimate goal? I submit not just by de-emphasizing whether the team won or lost? Rather, I believe the key component is to focus on whether the players develop more skill and knowledge of the game through each game/practice regardless of the results. What is it that will make the game fun for kids besides winning/losing and will keep them interested in showing up at the rink each and every time? Encourage and compliment your players for great pass work. Give public recognition from coaches and parents to players for their good team play and sportsmanship. And, as a coach, demonstrate the willingness and commitment to point out these types of behaviors and accomplishment that the professional hockey players exhibit while keeping it in proper perspective for the players. As always, there truly is more lessons in life to be learned than to say “we won”. Let’s add, and place, equal importance on becoming a better player and have fun doing it.


HOW? Before, during and after each skate!


PART A. Goals and Philosophies From The Experienced Coaches’ Perspectives
To identify a solid starting point, get a good sense of direction, and improve my own personal knowledge of “goals”, I submit the following information from my personal notes taken during the USA HOCKEY COACHES LEVEL 5 CLINIC symposium. I selected this information since it was so profoundly and helpfully presented by one of the truly great NHL coaches of the game:
“How to Build a Successful Team”

Coach Barry Smith


  • Management, coaches, and staff must all have the same goals (in sync).

  • Coaching philosophy: Be positive. Fun for players to want to play AND improve their skills and knowledge of the game.

  • Establish and follow team guidelines: Rules of Conduct for players and parents, alike.

  • Parents must know expectations of coaches.

  • Parents must assist in the enforcement of “Team Rules”.

  • ATITUDE defines everything.



From: USA HOCKEY COACHES LEVEL 5 CLINIC

Rochester, New York


July 12 – 16, 2006

Additionally, my research reveals the following information to cite as a helpful resource to coaches regarding how to get things off to a good start that involves both player and parent interactions.



STARTING THE SEASON - Coach Dennis “Red” Gendron


Coach Gendron advises that the start of the season is pivotal, and it is important to set a proper tone with the very first meeting. Expounding on the organization’s philosophy and your own personal philosophy is important. Outlining the basic requirements for your players is a must. This is serious business, as it is your only chance to make a favorable impression. You must be well organized so that there is time for all of your comments and any other agenda items that have to be taken care of. The first meeting with players and parents must run smoothly and effectively.
Effective teams are similar to high-functioning families in that there is genuine caring for other members of the group. Further, effective families and teams will, at critical moments, pull together toward a common goal.
How does a coach create this type of family feeling in a team? Getting the players together to do something other than playing hockey. He suggests a team outing such as a meal, a bowling contest, or Ping-Pong tournament, a golf outing, or a fundraiser. These types of team activities are called team-building experiences. Coach Gendron sees these as helpful in promoting unselfish attitudes and team cohesion.
Certainly, at the younger levels, my research finds the type of activities for Atoms, Mites, and Squirts that Coach Gendron has mentioned, are some that we have also done in similar events over the years.
We have also done car washes as fundraisers. These can be good ways to develop “team” effort and helping your fellow “player”. Equally, important, from my experience, these activities can help to build family communications and positive relationships that at future times, allow parents to help one another with car-pooling or perhaps other similar parent-type responsibilities.
The information above is drawn from “Coaching Hockey Successfully” – Advanced Coaching Manual, USA Hockey by Dennis “Red” Gendron with Vern Stenlund.


PART B. Goals and Philosophy From This Coach’s

Perspective – Welcome Letter



NAVY YOUTH HOCKEY

Dear Navy Youth Hockey Rec Mite Team Players/Parents:
On behalf of NYH and the Navy Youth Hockey Rec Team Mites coaching staff, I want to welcome you to the 2006-2007 ice hockey season.
We are looking forward to having a great season and making your hockey playing experience FUN!
As we prepare for our practices and upcoming games for the new season, please find attached an outline of the overall goals and hockey skills activities planned for this year.
Again, welcome. See you on the ice!
Sincerely,



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