USA Hockey New Rule for Coaches

[mdamson 0]

I have heard that the following is a new rule for this year. Our association has not talked about this yet, but I am sure in the next few weeks we are going to hear about it. Anyone care to comment?

Effective September 1, 2006 all coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey youth, high school, disabled and girls/women's 19 and under and below programs must wear an ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions including practices, controlled scrimmages and coach and referee clinics.

[Chadd 916]

USAH had been running surveys to determine the impact the rule will have and the rumor last year was that it would go into effect this year.

[mdamson 0]

According to my information the USA Hockey board ratified it at their June meeting. Therefore, it seems like a done deal.

[Chadd 916]

I didn't hear about that one, but I don't have to enforce it. There are always one or two "coaches" a year who can't skate and die when they fall. This is just trying to limit USAH liability in future cases. I always got hot just wearing a hat, a helmet would be worse.

[wickedwrister 0]

Been a rule here in Michigan at most rinks for a while. Not to mention that most coaches promote safety first to the kids.

[oldtrainerguy28 478]

Hockey Canada rule for a couple years now......however if you are a Private Hockey school running drills for a team you are exempt because you have your own insurance and that covers you if you wear one or not.

[KYHockey3 0]

last year our asssistant coach , who is an ass hole, got hit into the boards during a scrimmage. now honesly, you are pretty dumb to scrimmage with a high school team w/o a helmet on. well he hit his head and busted his lip. it was funny, but i think this is a good rule for coaches.

[Project824 0]

I think it's a terrible rule and it makes my decision to not coach youth or high school teams a very easy one...

I understand that there are those youth hockey dads who volunteer to coach their kid's teams who can't skate/never played hockey before, and helmets (along with shinguards and elbow pads) are probably a very good idea for them. But why make it every other experienced coach's problem? I shouldn't have to wear a helmet because another coach doesn't know how to skate or where to stand during drills to stay out of the way. It should be a personal preference thing, these are grown men who knowingly take the ice knowing the risks - adults aren't required by law to wear a bicycle helmet, yet there is more chance for the unknown riding a bike on the road.

[Chadd 916]

I think it's a terrible rule and it makes my decision to not coach youth or high school teams a very easy one...

I understand that there are those youth hockey dads who volunteer to coach their kid's teams who can't skate/never played hockey before, and helmets (along with shinguards and elbow pads) are probably a very good idea for them. But why make it every other experienced coach's problem? I shouldn't have to wear a helmet because another coach doesn't know how to skate or where to stand during drills to stay out of the way. It should be a personal preference thing, these are grown men who knowingly take the ice knowing the risks - adults aren't required by law to wear a bicycle helmet, yet there is more chance for the unknown riding a bike on the road.

It's easier to mandate that everyone wears one than to try and decide who should/should not wear one.

[kosydar 0]

I think that for coaches who aren't a certain level it should be required. For example, if you become a level 2 coach (not sure on the level), you no longer have to wear one. That would decide who knows what they're doing (probably) and it would provide motivation for coaches to attend the seminars.

[roostingmx 0]

yah

[KYHockey3 0]

I think that for coaches who aren't a certain level it should be required. For example, if you become a level 2 coach (not sure on the level), you no longer have to wear one. That would decide who knows what they're doing (probably) and it would provide motivation for coaches to attend the seminars.

that is a good idea, the more experienced then no helmet.

and

roostingmx

welcome to the boards, but dont waste our time with

"yah"

[tiki21 0]

what happens to the coach if he doesnt wear a helmet? and if he doesnt wear a helmet who will give out the "penatly".. who will make sure they are wearing a helmet..

[Project824 0]

I think that for coaches who aren't a certain level it should be required. For example, if you become a level 2 coach (not sure on the level), you no longer have to wear one. That would decide who knows what they're doing (probably) and it would provide motivation for coaches to attend the seminars.

Not sure if you've ever attended a Level 2 clinic, but it is very basic, as is Level 1. Level 1 barely has anything to do with hockey. Any idiot with $70 and 2 free weekends can get a USA Hockey Level 2 certification.

Unfortunately there is no good way to determine which coaches should wear a helmet, and a lot of the ones who should are the same ones who won't know any better until it's too late. It's too bad for all the good coaches out there who have never had any incident.

While we're on the subject of USA Hockey, has everyone seen the new rules memo? These new rules are going to make the game roller hockey on ice. Pretty soon kids aren't even going to need pads to play, just a pretty stick and an extra helmet for their coaches. Yet somehow they haven't brought back tag-up offsides. The new rules are also going to cause many an officiating debacle.

Here's an idea, how about instead of changing the rules every 2 years to improve its players, USA Hockey actually educates coaches in the Ed Program about hockey to improve its players? Rules changes don't improve players, good coaches do.

[Trooper 8]

You can get up to Level 5 and still not be able to skate. You just sit through the clinic and write a paper.

[chk hrd 164]

levels should have nothing to do with it. You can coach high school with a level 3 cert.

(http://www.usahockey.com/usa_hockey/coaches/main/home/coaching_educatio391//)

I think helmets are a good idea. I've been coaching awhile and I have seen to many coaches go down because of someone taking them out by accident or trying to demonstrate a drill and loosing an edge (it happens to all levels of skaters). There is always getting hit in the head by an out of control shot (pee-wees and bantams are great for this one), from a bad deflection or some dickhead kid screwing around while your trying to do something.

It's more about insurance and liability than anything else.

[prenny207 1]

I think that for coaches who aren't a certain level it should be required.  For example, if you become a level 2 coach (not sure on the level), you no longer have to wear one.  That would decide who knows what they're doing (probably) and it would provide motivation for coaches to attend the seminars.

Not sure if you've ever attended a Level 2 clinic, but it is very basic, as is Level 1. Level 1 barely has anything to do with hockey. Any idiot with $70 and 2 free weekends can get a USA Hockey Level 2 certification.

Unfortunately there is no good way to determine which coaches should wear a helmet, and a lot of the ones who should are the same ones who won't know any better until it's too late. It's too bad for all the good coaches out there who have never had any incident.

While we're on the subject of USA Hockey, has everyone seen the new rules memo? These new rules are going to make the game roller hockey on ice. Pretty soon kids aren't even going to need pads to play, just a pretty stick and an extra helmet for their coaches. Yet somehow they haven't brought back tag-up offsides. The new rules are also going to cause many an officiating debacle.

Here's an idea, how about instead of changing the rules every 2 years to improve its players, USA Hockey actually educates coaches in the Ed Program about hockey to improve its players? Rules changes don't improve players, good coaches do.

great post!!! as a coach in michigan, i am absolutely disgusted with the fact that we don't have tag up offsides. talk about wasting time, and not promoting puck movement.

your comments on teaching "coaching" rather then rules is right on the money. it wasn't until i went to the advanced clinic did i actually hear good info about practice plans, approach's to practice and the game in general.

in the first 3 clinic's it was all about how not to get sued. its sad that you can see the problems with this country through a coaching clinic. don't yell at your players, don't punish them with skating drills, and god forbid you try to teach them how to check "properly"

now, i get to spend the year teaching pp and pk, cuz the refs have been instructed to call it like the NHL... great, all the youth refs are gonna try to impress so they can make the show. call everything, teach a lesson... tryouts start tonight, i can't wait to see how this season goes!!!

[Chadd 916]

The ref clinics aren't much better than the coaching ones, I've been to up to level three in both and the ref clinics are only slightly better.

As for the offside rule, it's all about teaching puck movement. A few years ago, it was all but impossible to find a coach who was teaching his kids to regroup in the neutral zone, now you see it at every level. It may be inconvenient at times but it has forced coaches to teach something other than dump it in and hit someone.

The new enforcement standard is going to reward players and teams with more talent. I wish it had been done a long time ago. The question will be how many refs actually enforce the new standards.

[hockechamp14 0]

What are the new rule enforcements for USAH this year? Calling more penalties? Sure they will...

[greech 4]

I support this, as on of our assistant coaches (level 3) was injured on-ice at a pracitce a few years ago. He had his back turned to the current drill, as he was diagraming a play. A kid lost an edge and took his legs out. Needless to say, it was not pretty. Like it or not, my opinion is it is a good rule.

[hockey3 0]

Hockey Canada rule for a couple years now......however if you are a Private Hockey school running drills for a team you are exempt because you have your own insurance and that covers you if you wear one or not.

Ive never seen a coach ever wear a helmet in practice around here.

[Meathead 0]

I support this, as on of our assistant coaches (level 3) was injured on-ice at a pracitce a few years ago. He had his back turned to the current drill, as he was diagraming a play. A kid lost an edge and took his legs out. Needless to say, it was not pretty. Like it or not, my opinion is it is a good rule.

Ouch. My friends dad was an assistant coach for our Bantam AA team a few years ago and this kid was mad and threw his skate on the ground and the skate ricochet's right into coaches forearm. Blood everywhere.

[KYHockey3 0]

I support this, as on of our assistant coaches (level 3) was injured on-ice at a pracitce a few years ago. He had his back turned to the current drill, as he was diagraming a play. A kid lost an edge and took his legs out. Needless to say, it was not pretty. Like it or not, my opinion is it is a good rule.

Ouch. My friends dad was an assistant coach for our Bantam AA team a few years ago and this kid was mad and threw his skate on the ground and the skate ricochet's right into coaches forearm. Blood everywhere.

a helmet wouldnt help that..lol

[chk hrd 164]

I support this, as on of our assistant coaches (level 3) was injured on-ice at a pracitce a few years ago. He had his back turned to the current drill, as he was diagraming a play. A kid lost an edge and took his legs out. Needless to say, it was not pretty. Like it or not, my opinion is it is a good rule.

Ouch. My friends dad was an assistant coach for our Bantam AA team a few years ago and this kid was mad and threw his skate on the ground and the skate ricochet's right into coaches forearm. Blood everywhere.

a helmet wouldnt help that..lol

ya never know...he may have been able to block it with his head.....

the worst head injury I have ever had was when I was at a public skate. The ice was tore up pretty bad and I was skating somewhat fast, crossed over in a turn and lost the outside edge of my skate. Legs went out from under me, my head hit the ice then my head hit the boards...knocked me out cold. Spent the evening in the E.R., got two CAT scans screamed profanities at everyone/anyone and alot more (believe me the after effects are worse). I don't remember any of it.

Any head injury has the potential to kill you, no mater how "minor" you think it is. From my personal experiences I think helmets are a good idea.

[Chadd 916]

I'm all for Darwinism, thin out the gene pool a little bit. Carlin was right, it's getting too safe and we need to thin out the slower thinkers.