Thunderbird Youth Hockey  

COACHES

Interested in Coaching?

We thank you in advance!

Coaches gain satisfaction from helping people develop and achieve their goals. It provides an opportunity to make a difference and impact other people's lives. It is a rewarding way to give something back. Working with Children who are eager to learn give coaches a real sense of purpose. Coaches make fundamental connections with those they support, as they share their sense of accomplishment and success. 

Complete registration

Complete by September 1

Get Certified

Complete by December 31

Submit Reimbursement

Complete by end of season

Coach Registration

Steps to become a usa hockey coach

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)

  • Register as a member of USA Hockey. (Cost is $52 plus any affiliate fees if applicable). Click here for more information.
  • Complete the background screening. Click here.
  • Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport Training. (Required every year and cannot be added to a roster until completed). Click here for more information. (Coaches will need to create/log in to their profiles, click the link under the home tab to the coach eLearning site.)
  • Complete the Foundations of Player Development Pre-requisite. (Coaches will need to complete the Foundations of Player Development module before purchasing their age-specific module. Once a coach completes the Foundations of Player Development module there will be a 15-minute window before they can purchase and complete their age-specific module).
  • Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level of play you are coaching. (Cost is $20 for the 6u/8u module all others are $25. All modules only need to be completed once per age level. Must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities and cannot be added to a roster until completed).  Click here to register for the modules.

Coaching Education Program Certification Clinic Requirements (Must be completed by Dec. 31 each season)

  • Find, register and attend the required certification clinic. The Cost is $65. You can only attend one clinic per season and all coaches must enter USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program at the 6U/8U clinic if coaching at the Learn To Play/Learn To Skate/6U/8U classification or Level 1 if they are coaching 10U classification and above. You can take clinics from June 15th-Dec. 15th each season. Click here to locate a clinic.
  • Register online with Thunderbird Youth Hockey as a coach at link above.
  • Submit reimbursement form found below (send the reimbursement form and receipts to our treasurer). 


Service Hour Credits

Head Coach (1) - 100% reduction on service hours.

Assistant Coach - 50% reduction on service hours.

Coaching Education

This page serves as the start for all things related to USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program. Click on any of the menu items to the left to find out more information about that subject.  


Practice Planning

Use the links below to help create practice plan and drills that will help our kids become better hockey players or goalies.


Crossbar Links

Mandated Reporting Links

STUDENT COACH REGULATIONS

A player between the ages of 13 and 17 who is currently properly registered with USA Hockey may serve as a student coach under the following conditions:

  • Must attend a training session conducted by the local hockey association. The training session can be created by the association, or the association can use the premade training that is on this page.
  • Will need to complete Safesport if turning 18 during the year in which they are coaching.
  • Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs, and in the locker room.
  • May help out at practices, clinics, try-outs only. (May not participate as a player in scrimmages or games when acting as a STUDENT COACH).
  • May not act as the head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games.
  • May be on the bench during games with an adult. The STUDENT COACH will count as one of the maximum of four Team Officials allowed on the bench.
  • Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.
  • May only work with players at least one full playing age level down (e.g., a 14U age player may act as a STUDENT COACH at the 12U, 10U or 8U level).
  • The organization that is using the STUDENT COACH must provide a form indicating on what team he/she is participating as a student coach, and, if applicable, what team he/she is properly registered/rostered as a player. A model form can be found by clicking on the link above This form stays with the association.
  • Upon reaching the age of 18, the STUDENT COACH must comply with the USA Hockey Screening Program and meet the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program requirements which will qualify him/her to act as an assistant or head coach.
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