Volunteer as a Coach
Coaches are integral to the success of the KAHA mission of providing youth hockey in southeast Tennessee, and they are probably the most visible volunteer position of a team. Head and assistant coaches in KAHA come from a variety of backgrounds: some have prior youth hockey, juniors, and professional experience, some have coached before in other organizations, while others are putting on skates for the first time. No matter the background, the overwhelming majority of coaches have children who are youth hockey players in KAHA, and being a coach is a great way to spend more time with your child.
Head Coach Duties
- Lead the team at practices and at games.
- Implement practice plans based on the ADM and other resources.
- Work with other coaches to provide a fun, respectful, and safe environment on and off the ice.
- Keep open communication with players and their families.
Assistant Coach Duties
- Support the head coach at practices and at games.
- Provide locker room monitoring at practices and games.
- Organize equipment on the ice during practices.
- Manage a bench door during games.
Student Coach Duties
- Regularly attend practices and home games, with the understanding the academics must be prioritized.
- Provide the same duties as an assistant coach.
- Assist the head coach by demonstrating hockey skills related to skating and puck handling.
- Manage a bench door during games
Registration Requirements
The following registrations, screening, and training are required prior to stepping on the ice in any capacity as a Coach. Please note that both the USA Hockey registration, SafeSport training, concussion awareness, and sudden cardiac arrest awareness require yearly updates, while background screening is good for two years. Evidence that all registrations and trainings have been completed must be forwarded to the KAHA Ace Coordinator prior to the start of the season
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. Certification is also required. A few basic steps requirements are as follows:
USA Hockey Requirements (Must be completed before participating in any team activities)
- Register as a member of USA Hockey. (Cost is $46 plus any affiliate fees if applicable). Click here for more information.
- Complete the background screening. Click here.
- Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport Training. (Required every year and cannot be added to a roster until completed). Click here for more information. (Coaches will need to create/log in to their profiles, click the link under the home tab to the coach eLearning site.)
- Complete the Foundations of Player Development Pre-requisite. (Coaches will need to complete the Foundations of Player Development module before purchasing their age-specific module. Once a coach completes the Foundations of Player Development module there will be a 15-minute window before they can purchase and complete their age-specific module).
- Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level of play you are coaching. (Cost is $20 per module and only needs to be completed once per age level. Must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities and cannot be added to a roster until completed) Click here to register for the modules.
Coaching Education Program Certification Clinic Requirements (Must be completed by Dec. 31 each season)
- Find, register, and attend the required certification clinic. The Cost is $60. You can only attend one clinic per season and all coaches start at Level 1. You can take clinics from April 1-Dec. 31 each season. Click here to locate a clinic.
In addition to the above registration and training, all Coaches must complete a USA Hockey Coaching Clinic each year before December 31st. USA Hockey provides multiple online coaching clinic opportunities, which are typically posted in September. Coaches that do not complete the yearly clinic by December 31st will not be permitted to continue working on the ice with the team. Once a coach reaches Level 4 of the Coaching Education Program, 5 credit hours of continuing education within each subsequent three-year period must be completed.
REGISTER TO COACH TODAY!
Coaches Certification Reimbursement
Any required coaching fees will be reimbursed by KAHA. Please send receipts to KAHA Treasure - kahatreasurer2020@gmail.com for reimbursement through our FRC program.