Coaching Requirements
Interested in Coaching? See the requirements below and reach out to our Director of Hockey Development for more information
All Coaches must accept and sign the HYHA Coaching agreement
Certification Level
USA Hockey requires that all affiliates and/or districts ensure all coaches (head and assistant) complete the required certification level and the age-specific module(s).
All coaches must enter USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program at Level 1, and must continue their education with a coaching clinic each year until, at a minimum, they achieve Level 3. Coaches who do not coach in consecutive years must re-enter the program at the next level when they resume coaching responsibilities.
EXCEPTION: Coaches of 8U or younger players may remain at Level 1 or their current level.
A coach must attend one certification clinic per year (not including age-specific requirements) until they achieve level 3.
Once Level 3 is achieved, periodic renewal is required for coaches who have not achieved Level 4. Coaches who attain Level 4 certification are not required to attend any further certification clinics but must adhere to the age-specific requirement.
Coaching certification at Level 3 is valid for two (2) seasons, as indicated by the expiration date. A coach whose Level 3 is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 1 curriculum or they may move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 1 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons. A coach whose Track 1 Level 3 recertification is due to expire must take the online Level 3 Recertification Track 2 curriculum or move up to Level 4. Level 3 Track 2 Recertification is valid for two (2) seasons. Coaches whose Track 2 Level 3 Recertification is due to expire must attend a Level 4 clinic prior to the expiration of their Level 3 Recertification. Coaches must complete the online recertification program in order to recertify their Level 3 certifications.
Age Specific Module
In addition to the certification level training, coaches must also complete online age-specific training modules specific to the level of play they are coaching, if they have not already taken that module. This requirement applies to all coaches at all levels, 1 through 5. Coaches may complete more than one age-specific module in any given season.
USA Hockey coaching certification information, class registration and on-line module registration can be found here:
SafeSport Training Requirement
USA Hockey SafeSport Program is the online training/education that is available to help our USA Hockey members become aware of the information necessary to help prevent abuse from occurring in our sport. All USA Hockey registered coaches, officials, employees and volunteers are required to take the training at no cost. The training is comprised of short video segments that take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
SafeSport Training is valid for 2 seasons and must be completed prior to participation of the current season.
USA Hockey Background Screening
All Coaches are required to submit to and pass a background screening prior to getting on the ice with players. If you have questions, please reach out to the Registrar
D3 Coaches Meeting
Every season, District 3 has a mandatory coaches meeting that the head coach and team manager must attend. Failure to attend the appropriate meeting will result in a one-game suspension of the head coach
Coaching Ethics Code
All USA Hockey ice hockey coaches (head and assistant) and instructors must abide by the USA Hockey Coaching Ethics Code, and understand that violations may result in full or partial forfeiture of coaching privileges in programs, at sites or events under USA Hockey’s governance.
All coaches have an obligation to be familiar with USA Hockey’s Coaching Ethics Code. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of an ethical standard is not itself a defense to a charge of unethical conduct.
COACH'S MATCH PENALTY REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES
In District 3, a head coach is required to report game misconducts and match penalties within 24 hours of the game. District 3 has set up an online reporting process, which directly forwards the information to the Supervisor of Officials. Failure to properly report a game misconduct or match penalty will result in a minimum of one game suspension for the head coach.