What are the 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 at www.usahockey.com
Certification is also required.
A few basic steps are as follows: 1) Register as a member
of USA Hockey 2) Find, register and attend the required
certification clinic. You can only attend one clinic per season. A
current list of clinics can be found by to to
http://www.usahockey.com/viewallclinics.aspx. The coaching clinic
season for levels 1-3 officially runs from September 1 to December 31 of the
same year. 3) Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level
of play you are coaching. The online modules are only available from
September 1 to December 31 of the same year. 4) Must attend the
required clinic and complete the necessary online age-specific module(s) by
December 31 of the current playing season to continue coaching on January 1
5) Please also read the FAQ section under Coaches where most of your
questions will be answered as well on http://www.usahockey.com//templaye_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_01&ID=19440
Can I skip one level to go
to another?
No, you must go in sequence. First Level 1, Level 2 second, third is Level 3 and then fourth, Level 4.
USA Hockey allows coaches to attend only 1 clinic per season. A coach must
also complete the online age-specific module for each age level he/she is
coaching that year. A coach can complete more than one online age-specific
module in a season if he/she is coaching multiple age levels.
What level do I need to be?
USA Hockey no longer requires a specific certification level based on the age
level of play coaching. A coach must progress through the education system
every year and have completed the online age-specific module for each age level
coaching.
How
long is my accreditation good for? How
Long do I have to complete my module and certification? Why does my 2010/11 Level 1 or 2 accreditation expire December 31, 2011?
All coaches must adhere to the new Coaching Education Program guidelines that go
into effect on September 1, 2011. The new standards require you to attend
one clinic every year for Levels 1-3. In an effort to begin education
coaches, we made the 2010-11 stickers reflect the need to attend a clinic this
coming season in accordance with the new standards that will go into effect on
September 1, 2011
Why does my 2010/11 Level 3 accreditation expire December
31, 2012? All coaches must adhere to the new Coaching Education
Program guidelines that go into effect on September 1, 2011. The new
standards have the level 3 accreditation valid for two seasons. In an
effort to begin education coaches, we made the 2010-11 stickers reflect the need
to attend a clinic during the 2012-13 season in accordance with the new
standards that will go into effect on September 1, 2011
My Level 1 is expired or expiring this December, what do I
need to do? You must attend a level 2 clinic and complete
the online age-specific module for each age level you are coaching if not
previously taken prior to December 31 of the current playing season.
My Level 2 is expired or expiring this December, what do I
need to do? You must attend a level 3 clinic and complete
the online age-specific module for each age level you are coaching if not
previously taken prior to December 31 of the current playing season.
My Level 3 is expired or expiring this December, what do I
need to do? You must complete the online Level 3 recertification
or attend a level 4 clinic and complete the online age-specific module
for each age level you are coaching if not previously taken prior to December 31
of the current playing season. Coaches of Tier I and Tier II (National
tournament Bound 14&U, 16&U and 18/19&U teams must complete level 4.
How many times can I do the online Level 3
Recertification? You may complete Track 1 and Track 2 of the
online recertification program. The program should automatically recognize
if you have previously registered for one of the tracks and will direct you to
Track 2. If you have already taken the recertification twice, you must
attend a level 4 clinic and complete the online age-specific module for each age
level you are coaching if not previously taken.
I was told my level 4 and 5 accreditation was valid for
life, why do I have to complete the online age-specific module(s)?
Your accreditation is still valid for life and requires no recertification. With
the advent of the American Development Model, all coaches are required to
complete the online age-specific module for the age level of play they are
coaching. This online component provides information specific to the age
of your players in accordance with the ADM and Long Term Athlete Development
program.
Once I start taking the online module, how long do I have
to complete it? The online module can take 6-8 hours on the
computer. You can start and stop at your convenience by December 31.
However, once you start, you MUST complete it within 30 days or you will be
dropped from the system and will need to start all over again.
I did not complete the online age-specific module prior to
December 31, what happens now?I was not able to attend a
clinic prior to December 31, what happens now? All coaches must be
certified and have completed the online age-specific modules prior to December
31st in order to continue coaching the remainder of the season. The
Coaching Education program offers a request for a temporary card for the
certification clinic if a coach is unable to attend a clinic. This must be
requested by December 31. If you do not request the temporary card prior
to December 31, then you will be ineligible to coach the remainder of the
current season.
Do assistant coaches have to
be accredited at the same level as the head coach?
Yes - USA Hockey does not distinguish between an assistant and head coach in
regards to required certification level. All coaches participating in ALL
team functions (i.e. games, scrimmages, practices, try-outs, tournaments,
off-ice training, etc.) must meet the same coaching certification level, based
upon the level of play coaching.
Can I leave a clinic
early because I have a game or a practice to go to?
No – times are advertised and you are required to stay the entire time
What do I need to bring to
a clinic?
Paper, pen, and a check payable to USA Hockey. Do not bring stick, skates or
gloves.
How do I find out when and
where a clinic will be held?
You can follow on this website. It will be updated as we go along. You will
be able to print the pre-registration form for each clinic on this website about
one month ahead of the scheduled clinic date. Directions to all of the clinics
will be printed on the pre-registration form. Clinics for the fall of 2002 for
Level 1, 2 and 3 are now being scheduled. We will not begin registration for
any of the 2002 fall clinics until a month before the clinic.
How much are the clinics
and whom do I pay?
All checks for the clinics are payable to USA Hockey, Inc; however, we ask
that you pre-register online at
www.usahockey.com for clinics in advance of attending. When
registering online, you will need to pay by credit card.
How long are the clinics?
All of the clinics are each one day apiece. Registration at each clinic will
begin at 8:00 a.m. and will run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Will I get confirmation of
my pre-registration to any clinic?
No.
Why should I pre-register
for a clinic?
In order to help us with a head count for both seating and materials, we ask
that you pre-register. Otherwise, there is no guarantee of seating or you getting
materials.
What do I do if I lost my
coaches card?
Beginning with the 2011-12 season, we will no longer issue blue CEP cards to
coaches. The online certification list will serve as proof of a coach's
certification. Beginning September 1, 2011 a coach will also have the
ability to print a copy of their CEP card from the information provided there.
