Coaches Corner

USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program require both certification and registration to be eligible to coach. Registration is done online on a yearly basis. Certification is also required. A few basic steps requirements are as follows:

USA Hockey Requirements (Must be completed before participating in any team activities)

1. Register as a member of USA Hockey
2. Fill out the above Coach Application and Coach Volunteer Form.
3. Complete the background screening.
4. Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport Training
5. Complete the online Age Specific Module for the age level of play you are wanting to coach.
6. Find, register, and attend the required certification clinic.

Coaching Education Program

• Rules and Requirements: Outlines the standards all USA Hockey-certified coaches must meet.
• Coaching Clinics: Requires a USAHockey.com login (this login is NOT related to your USA Hockey member registration or modules)
• Age-Specific Modules: Links to the online program for this CEP requirement
• Online Certification List: Search for a coach’s certification and completion of an online age-specific module, and print a CEP card
• Student Coaches: Information on the student coach rules
• Coaching Ethics: Learn more about the Coaching Ethics Code  

Coach Selection

NFHL’s coaches are all unpaid volunteers. We do issue a $100 credit to our coaches to help cover the annual cost of your USA Hockey membership, modules, CEP, etc. This credit is typically issued to your account or by check after the 1st of the year as long as all mandatory requirements are met.

Qualifications include:

• Coaching certification (Level I, II, III, IV, or V)
• Hockey knowledge and skills coaching experience
• Ability to work effectively with children and other NFHL volunteers with maturity and responsibility
• Ability to put in the time and effort required throughout the season
• Ability to create a positive experience for the team
• Passed criminal background check

The Coach-in-Chief will interview candidates and select the most qualified coaches from the applicant group. Selection is at the discretion of the Coach-in-Chief, and individuals interested in coaching should contact the Coach-in-Chief. Coaches are required to sign a Coaches Code of Conduct, setting forth coaching performance standards. Before interacting with the kids, a background check & Safesport certification will be necessary.

Each season, coaches need to make sure to retain their required coaching certification levels. These certifications are attended virtually unless you wish to obtain your level 5 which must be in person and at your own out of pocket cost.

• Winning is a consideration, not the only one, nor the most important one. Care more about the child than winning the game. Remember, players are involved in hockey for fun and enjoyment.
• Be a positive role model to your players. Display emotional maturity and be alert to the physical safety of players.
• Be generous with your praise when deserved; be consistent and honest; be fair and just; do not criticize players publicly; learn to be a more effective communicator and coach; don’t yell at players.
• Adjust to players' personal needs and problems; be a good listener; never verbally or physically abuse a player or official; give all players the opportunity to improve their skills, gain confidence and develop self-esteem; teach players the basics.
• Organize practices that are fun and challenging for your players. Familiarize yourself with the rules, techniques, and strategies of hockey; encourage all your players to be team players.
• Maintain an open line of communication with your players’ parents. Explain the goals and objectives of your association.
• Be concerned with the overall development of your players. Stress good health habits and clean living.
• To play the game is great; to love the game is greater.

• Travel coaches are selected by the acting CIC during the prior season before tryouts take place.
• Tryouts are typically two full ice sessions and take place in March or April and are solely dependent on ice availability.
• The head coach of each travel team will be provided a puck bag with pucks, a whiteboard and a first aid kit for their team for the season. If items need replacing/replenishing throughout the season please request them with an email to equipment@jriceflyers.com.
• Immediately following the second tryout session (or earlier), coaches are to inform the parent/guardians of the players of how & when they intend to inform ALL players who attended tryouts if they have or have not made the team.
• Each travel team will have an assigned budget from travel dues. It is the team manager and coach's responsibility to manage the team budget with periodic updates available by request from the treasurer.
• Summer ice sessions can be booked by the coach or team manager and the cost comes out of the team budget. Suggested rink locations are Pelham Civic Center or Columbus Ga Ice Rink.
• Over the summer you will be asked to submit your division declarations for the upcoming season. Once submitted, this cannot change (with the exception of 10U due to leveling).
• SYTHL season typically starts in early October but can start as early as the last weekend in September. The league scheduler will attend meetings in July & August to determine the 5 travel weekends you will attend.
• 10U Attends an annual leveling tournament in August. This tournament cost does come out of the travel team fund and will determine where your team will play for the season. Dates & locations are determined at a scheduling meeting on Sunday morning.
• Championship weekend typically takes place in February and does have a cost associated. Eligibility for attendance is determined by your standings at regular season end.

SYTHL playing rules can be found here: https://www.sythl.org/page/show/9228035-sythl-sescl-league-playing-rules

SYTHL Gamesheets can be found here: https://www.sythl.org/page/show/8061582-game-center

Please review the SYTHL website for additional information and reach out to cic@jriceflyers.com or board@jriceflyers.com with any questions you may have beyond this guide.

• House coaches are selected by the acting CIC prior to season start.
• House teams rely on friendlies (scrimmages) and tournaments for game play opportunities. The cost for these is not included in house dues. Coaches & team managers will need to communicate with the parents about intent to travel to tournaments with registration fees, gas, hotel etc. paid out of pocket.
• The league registrar can build your team roster which may be required to register for a tournament. You or your team manager can email registrar@jriceflyers.com to request a roster link.
• Typically Pensacola house teams participate in House/rec or House select divisions at tournaments. Not all tournaments have all divisions. A great place to start searching for tournaments is here: https://www.hockeyfinder.com/tournaments/country/US/
• Team managers typically register for the tournament and work with the league treasurer to have the league front the registration costs which will later be equally billed to the players in attendance.
• House coaches can check out a puck bag with pucks, a white board and first aid kit prior to traveling to a tournament. These can be found in the supply closet at the Bay Center. Upon return, please take note of items that may need replacing and request replenishment at equipment@jriceflyers.com.
• Managers should track which players attend each tournament and keep a spreadsheet of cost per family. It is recommended that this information be submitted to treasurer@jriceflyers.com within 2 weeks of returning from a tournament so families can be billed accordingly.
• Friendlies can be obtained with surrounding organizations such as Biloxi, Lafayette, Columbus or Birmingham. Hosting in Pensacola is usually a collaboration with multiple age groups taking turns on a Sunday morning in lieu of practice.

Please reach out to cic@jriceflyers.com or board@jriceflyers.com with any questions you may have beyond this guide.