HELP! Volunteering to asst coach peewee kids

[grabtindy 0]

A buddy of mine coaches a local peewee team, the kids are 9-12 years old. His asst coach had to leave the team and he asked me if I could help out. I've only been playing for a year myself, so I never played as a kid, never had a hockey coach, never did organized drills, etc. I'm really just there to feed pucks, keep the kids focused and help out where I can.

I find myself working with the goalie more than anything, but also would like to get a better idea of how to help the kids when they scrimmage and drill. How much can I expect the kids to play in position? I would get chewed out like hell if I was leaving the point as a forward playind D, but these guys are all over. Should I be getting them into position or are they too young? While working with the goalie, I was only taking wrist shots from outside the face off dots, but he seemed to enjoy it, I definately won't be firing slappers at him yet. I guess I'm just looking for general advice on age appropriate expectations and stuff.

Despite the fact that I had no idea what I was doing doing I had a great time and like 3 kids asked if I could come back next week.

[RecLeagueHero 0]

When I was a mini-mite and mite my coach stressed positioning heavily. We didn't always get why we weren't just supposed to chase the puck, but as I got older having learned to play my position correctly helped a great deal. Peewee's are more than old enough to learn position and be expected to play those positions. Granted it's been a while, but as I recall we started checking at the Peewee level, so the kids need to be learning positions. But end of the day, you've got to let the coach run the program and just assist within that program.

Honestly, and I don't mean to sound like an ass in any way, but given your relative lack of hockey experience feeding pucks and helping with team discpline on the ice is probably why the coach wants you there. I would strongly suggest sitting down the the coach and having a chat about exactly what he wants you do to and when.

[B19Kress 0]

Not to Hi-jack your thread but I was hoping to do this same thing not only to help out some kids but get some more time on the ice as well. I am in almost the exact same situation. If anyone knows of anyone in Ann Arbor, MI looking for some extra help, please let me know.

Thanks in advance

[grabtindy 0]

RLH- not sounding like an ass. I think that makes a lot of sense.

I'm not there to try and change anything the coach is doing, but obviously he can't see everything that's going on and I wasn't sure what the expectations are. I just checked out USA Hockey and they have some good info on what each level means in terms of development and expectations.

B19- The ice time is a nice bonus. I need the reps and the practice skating.

[-venom- 0]

One of the most important things I've coached my 12u/10u kids is the importance of being a good skater, above and beyond stickhandling, shooting, etc.

[chippa13 1844]

Fastest way to respect from the kids; do the drills, not just shooting and passing but all of the skating drills.