Coaching Decisions, Playing Time & Grievance Policy
Coaching Decisions
Coaches are selected at the beginning of the season based on knowledge of the game and experience instructing youth athletes. However, coaches are much more than “teachers of how to play a game.” They are mentors, leaders, and motivators. Through an unbiased perspective, they observe strengths and weaknesses in each player and find unique ways to build skill and motivation to bring out the highest potential in each player so the entire team can excel together.
Hockey is a competitive team sport. By the time players reach the squirt, peewee or bantam levels, coaches are teaching individuals to play as a team. Coaches focus on both individual development and building a mindset that an individual's work, effort, attitude, skill and behavior directly impacts the entire team. These are the levels where important life lessons are taught to set players up to succeed in a team environment far into their adulthood.
When players come to the rink with a poor attitude, are not ready to work, not listening or taking direction from the coach, etc., coaches may intervene by having a conversation with the player, or sit them for a number of shifts (or a period depending on the severity of a player’s actions). When players are not performing to expectations, they may experience coaches being assertive during practices, games, or while addressing the team in the locker room or on the bench. This is considered correction, not criticism.
“Yelling” during practice or a game environment is common with coaches. There is a lot of action on the ice, multiple discussions happening at once on the bench, parents cheering in the stands, music playing over the speaker system - making for a loud environment. Coaches often need to project their voice for players on the ice to hear instruction, or for the entire team to hear them on the bench. Yelling is instruction, not a form of intimidation or humiliation.
If your player is experiencing moments of correction or assertive instruction from the coaches, we encourage parents and players to trust the process.
Playing Time
Because hockey is a competitive team sport, coaches reserve the right to make coaching decisions during a game that is for the betterment of the entire team. Playing time is earned through a variety of factors, including but not limited to hard work, listening, and positive attitude. Although we encourage equal playing time for all players, there are moments where coaches need to leverage individual strengths in unique situations to push the team to victory. If a player is engaging in unsportsman-like conduct on or off the ice, then that player may sit during a game.
How to Report a Grievance:
Again, If your player is experiencing moments of correction or assertive instruction from a coach, we encourage parents and players to trust the process.
If you have a grievance regarding coaching decisions, under no circumstances may you approach a coach within a 24 hour period. You must wait at least 24 hours to express your grievance with a coach. If you have a grievance during a tournament, you must wait until after the entire tournament is over. If you do not comply with this policy, disciplinary action will be taken, including but not limited to suspension from the rink and all team-related events for two weeks.
To report a grievance, you must take the following steps:
- Call (do not text or email) your coach. You are not allowed to approach a coach with a grievance in the rink or during a team event.
- If you do not feel comfortable having the discussion with your coach, contact the PCDC Chair and/or your Board of Directors representative.
- The Board representative and PCDC Chair will discuss the situation and determine the appropriate steps to address the situation.
NRYHA is committed to creating a positive culture for our players, members and community. Under no circumstances should you discuss a grievance regarding coaching decisions and/or make negative comments about another players’ performance with anyone in the stands, anywhere in a rink, during a team-related event, or on social media. If you do not comply with this policy, disciplinary action will be taken, including but not limited to suspension from the rink and all team-related events for two weeks.
Reporting Safesport Violations:
If you observe anyone committing a SafeSport violation, as defined by USA Hockey policies, you must take the following steps immediately, as a Safesport violation needs to be officially filed within 24 hours of the violation occurring:
- It is strongly recommended that you contact your Board of Directors level representative and Disciplinary Chair immediately to assist in gathering all required information to help you effectively and efficiently file the violation. The Board representative and Disciplinary Committee Chair are your unbiased resources who will assist in taking the proper steps with USA Hockey and WAHA to report and investigate the violation.
OR
- You may choose to report the violation directly to SafeSport here: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern/