Managing Staff

Make sure your staff on the bench know their roles and responsibilities during the game. If you have two assistants on the bench, you should have one coach changing the defense and the other coach providing feedback to the players and to you. Most head coaches run the forward group but there are still a few who like to run the whole bench. Whatever your preference as a coach make sure you instruct your assistants on what you want them to watch for or do. Do you want them to watch for key opposing players, watch for tactical adjustments to make, evaluate your players, or take statistical information? Make sure there is a rink board handy to draw any special plays or for teaching purposes.

Because most games are very hectic and fast paced, it is important to give the players feedback, but it must be concise and specific. The type of feedback players need from assistant coaches should be centered on playing your system or how to react to what the other team is doing. The head coach can provide feedback on effort, work, discipline and game plan details. Assistant coaches can give descriptive feedback to the players during the play, while the head coach should make sure their dialogue is to the point so their focus never strays from the ice surface. It is important to balance constructive with positive feedback, and at all times everyone on the bench should control their emotions. Sometimes coaches would rather wait until after the game to provide feedback, but if the dialogue is short and to the point, you can take advantage of great teaching opportunities on the bench.

Designate which coach will oversee special teams and face-off plays. With most teams special team responsibilities are divided up between both assistants or one assistant and the head coach. It will be important to have one coach in charge of faceoffs and

prepared for any special faceoff situations. The most important being pulled goaltender situations. Whether you on the offensive or defensive side in the last minute or two when the goaltender is pulled the team needs to know what to do and who is providing the direction.

In addition, make sure the trainer and equipment manager (if you are fortunate to have both) know their responsibilities. Trainers are mainly there to take care of injuries and make sure the players are hydrated, but they may also keep track of shifts, time the length of shifts, watch for which players are coming out on the other team, and record shots. The equipment person must be available to get sticks when they are broken, sharpen skates, and take care of any equipment problems.

Dealing With Officials

Find out before the game who the officials are and if possible what they are like with regard to calling penalties and receiving feedback. Most refs have a style of calling the game—find out whether they are strict or are inclined to let more go. Once you know this you can prepare the team for what may be called in the game. If you ever challenge a referee, make sure you do it with respect, and above all, know the rules. Over time, coaches who control their emotions, talk to the referees when it is necessary, and cut them some slack on missed calls generally get more of the breaks in the end. Remember, it is a fast-paced game and there is a lot going on between the 10 skaters, so there will be times when the officials miss something or make the wrong call. Far too often now, with the use of video, coaches and managers will look at the game and wonder how the ref made the call that he did—but this is after watching the play several times and maybe in slow motion. Once again, treat officials with respect and you will get respect in return.

Adjusting Your Playing Strategy

First make sure your team is confident in how they have to play to be successful. Your team trademarks should never be altered, but often during the game certain system changes must be made. Again, when to do this and what adjustments to make fall under the category of the art of coaching. The ability to make these decisions comes with experience. If the other team has prepared well and is beating your forecheck with a certain breakout play, then you are going to have to make an adjustment. Often it will be a subtle adjustment; rarely will it be a total switch to another forechecking system. The one area where most adjustments are made is on special teams. Again, because of how prepared opposing teams are, especially in this area, you may be constantly tweaking your power play or penalty kill or making players aware of what their reads should be.