U7

Coaches/Managers - EHMHA Coaching Policy

   

Purpose - To help ensure that EHMHA coaches are consistent in meeting the objectives and adhering to the policies of the East Hants Minor Hockey Association.

Scope - All EHMHA coaches without exception.

Effective date: March 31, 2011 (amended August 2014)

If you are selected to coach in the East Hants Minor Hockey Association, the following are some guidelines that MUST be adhered to:

  • Coaching Certification, CRC and CAC checks are completed as per HNS regulations without exception.
  • Divisional Coordinators will participate in and monitor the selection process for REP teams to ensure it is a fair process for all participants.
  • Divisional Coordinators will assist REC Coaches with Recreation evaluations to split up the players evenly.
  • Develop a strong skill-based seasonal plan, using the Development Coordinator and Divisional Coordinator when required.
  • Meet with a member of the Development team at least twice or on a schedule provided by the Development Coordinator. Topics for discussion could include: Practice Planning/Practice Ice Time management; assisting on-ice with Practices from time to time; Team Play; Video Analysis, Nutrition; Bench Management and Discipline.
  • All agendas, finances, and all other team related matters must be fully approved by the Head Coach of the respective team throughout and to conclusion of the current playing season.

Fair Play REP Teams (Bantam/Midget AA Levels only)

Players / Goalies* are to be played fairly and consistently** with the exception of the last 5 minutes of a game of a “Meaningful Game” which occurs after December 15th. Any game prior to December 15th is not a Meaningful Game under any circumstances. Coaches may shorten bench in the last 5 minutes of any Meaningful game. A Meaningful game is defined as a game that by winning THAT game, the team WOULD further advance, thereby getting all players one or two more additional games. This would apply in league playoffs, any tournament, in Provincial play downs, as well as in Provincials. Only exceptions to this are discipline issues as outlined in the team rules at the beginning of the season. 

Fair Play REP Teams (except Bantam/Midget AA)

Players / Goalies* are to be played fairly and consistently** with the exception of the last 3 minutes of a “Meaningful Game” which occurs after December 15th. Any game prior to December 15th is not a Meaningful Game under any circumstances. Coaches may shorten bench in the last 3 minutes of any Meaningful game. A Meaningful game is defined as a game that by winning THAT game, the team WOULD further advance, thereby getting all players one or two more additional games. This would apply in league playoffs, any tournament, in Provincial play downs, as well as in Provincials. Only exceptions to this are discipline issues as outlined in the team rules at the beginning of the season.

Fair Play REC Level and all Novice

Plain and simple.....fair and consistent** ice time for EVERY GAME. Roll the lines without exception. Only exceptions to this are discipline issues as outlined in the team

rules at the beginning of the season.

* Goalies should be rotated equally every game with the exception of meaningful games.

** Fair and consistent ice-time does not mean equal ice time for all players. It means consistent with all players on the team playing a similar position during the game.

Practices

Teams are expected to use their practices effectively and practice once per week at a minimum. There will be no exchanging practices for games unless an additional practice is added to make up for the lost practice.

Tournaments

All EHMHA are to honour their schedule commitments and reduce the amount of make-up games needing to be played.

The only exceptions to the above are:

  • The respective team has confirmed that they will have no games to play during the time they wish to compete in a tournament therefore honouring their schedule commitments.
  • They have made arrangements to ensure that they have at least one hour of practice that week by switching with another EHMHA team or picking up an extra hour the week prior to their event. Teams are responsible for ensuring this happens with the assistance of their Divisional Coordinator.

Parent Meeting

Once any team is formed, a meeting is held with all parents and head coach and another meeting with coaching staff and players is also held. Both meetings are to be held by the head coach. The objective of these two meetings is to clarify the team rules with the parents, players and coaches.

The team rules must include fair play and discipline guidelines and adhere to all EHMHA policies. All team rules must be approved in advance by the Divisional Coordinator in consultation with the Vice President Hockey Operations.

The coach gives his/her team rules in writing to the parents and to the players. The parents and players review the team rules. The player and parent keep them for future reference. The first team meeting also allows for parent and player input into the team rules.