In a recent letter to the USA Hockey community, Mark Tabrum (Director Coaching Program) offered an explanation of the coaching education requirements passed at the Annual Congress in June.
His letter is being reproduced here because you as an official will have a pre-game duty to perform before each and every game you do. Please see Section D(below) for these duties. Will there be any penalty imposed – NO. Will you need to make any entries on the score sheet – NO. You are there only as a facilitator and witness.
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1. ALL coaches for the 2000-2001 season are considered first year coaches in the coaching education requirement program (per 2000-20001 annual guide/attached chart).
2. The age classification that you are coaching for the 2000-2001 season will determine where you enter the Coaching Education Requirement Program.
3. Requirements for 2nd year coaches and above will begin with the 2001-2002 season.
4. Please look at the chart included with this memo (this can also be found or page 142 of the annual guide) and see where your entry level is for the 2000-2001 season. (e.g., Mites, Squirts —I.P. level; Pee Wee (travel) Bantam (travel)- Associate level; Midgets (travel) — Intermediate level. Remember that these are USA Hockey’s recommended guidelines, your district can make the requirements more difficult per the District Coach-In-Chief but they can not be made easier.
5. If a coach possesses the Associate level or above prior to September 1, 2000, he/she will be exempt from obtaining the I.P. level.
Coaching Education Required Levels
USA Hockey requires that the following set of coaching education levels must be the minimum criteria for districts and/or affiliates.
It must be clearly understood that coaching education requirements must be monitored and enforced by the districts or affiliates.
All coaches (head and assistant) must have the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program card by December 31 of the calendar year.
|
Coaching Education Level |
Levels of Play |
|
Initiation Program Level |
Mites
|
| Travel | House |
|
Associate Level |
Mites: 2nd year coach and above, Prerequisite IP |
Mites: 2nd year coach and above, Prerequisite IP |
| T ravel | House |
|
Intermediate Level |
Pee Wees: 2nd year coach and above, Prerequisite Associate |
Bantams: 2nd year coach and above,
Prerequisite Associate |
|
Travel |
House |
|
|
Advanced Level |
Midgets: 2nd year coach and above,Prerequisite
Intermediate |
B. Education and Years of Coaching Prerequisite
Education and years of coaching prerequisite requirements are noted in the Coaching Education Chart. These requirements must be strictly adhered to.
C. Grandfather Clause
A coach’s coaching education level of Associate Level or above prior to July 1, 2000 will remain the same.
D. Evidence of Level
Proof of coaching education level will be evidenced by a USA Hockey Coaching Education Card with appropriate dated verification sticker. This card must be carried by all coaches for all USA Hockey games.
Before the start of each game and in the presence of the referee, each coach must present their card to one another for verification of coaching education level
If a coach can not produce their current and up to date USA Hockey Coaching Education Card prior to the start of the first period, it must be noted on the official game score sheet and signed by the opposing coach.
E. Continuing Education Requirement
Every three years a coach is required to do one of the following: take a refresher course at their current level, attend a high performance workshop, attend a skills workshop or advance to the next coaching education level. This pertains to the coaches at the Initiation, Associate, Intermediate or Advanced Levels.
F. Penalty and Enforcement
It will be the responsibility of the local governing body to determine if there should be any penalties imposed on an individual coach who fails to produce a current, up to date coaching education card with appropriate verification of level. It will also be the responsibility of the local governing body to enforce any penalties.