Why every coach needs a solid coaching philosophy + free template
According to the most recent numbers from the International Ice Hockey Federation, there are 361,666 players registered at the U20 age category and younger (U7-U18 minor hockey) in Canada. It can then be estimated that there are approximately 63,000 coaches in positions of influence. Therefore, it’s of the utmost importance that these coaches have something in place that helps guide their process—in this case, a coaching philosophy. The word “philosophy” comes from the Greek word that means “a love of wisdom,” which is appropriate here, as coaches impart their wisdom to help others improve and succeed.
What is a minor hockey coaching philosophy?
A minor hockey coaching philosophy is a set of guiding principles and core values that shape how a coach approaches the development of their players, manages their team, and interacts with parents. It reflects the coach’s beliefs about the purpose of youth sports and serves as a foundation for decision-making on and off the ice. For youth hockey, a well-developed coaching philosophy can ensure that the coach provides a positive, structured, and enjoyable environment for all stakeholders, including players and their families.
In essence, a coaching philosophy answers critical questions: What are your priorities as a coach? How will you foster a love for the game in your players? How will you balance competition with development? A thoughtful and authentic coaching philosophy will guide everything from practice design to player communication, and it can significantly impact the success of the team both on the ice and in their personal development.
Benefits of a coaching philosophy
- For the coach:
- Clarity and focus: Having a coaching philosophy gives the head coach and assistant coaches a clear direction. It helps the coach stay true to their values, even in challenging situations such as balancing winning with development or managing conflicts within the team.
- Consistency: A philosophy ensures consistent decision-making, creating a stable environment where players and parents understand what to expect. Consistency also helps the coach communicate effectively and act as a role model for the values they wish to instill.
- Personal fulfillment: Coaching youth sports can be stressful, especially when expectations are high. A well-defined philosophy keeps the coach grounded in why they coach, ensuring they experience joy and satisfaction in the process.
- For the players:
- Fun and engagement: A philosophy that emphasizes fun, such as prioritizing enjoyable activities, creates an engaging environment. This increases players’ intrinsic motivation to participate, leading to better performance and a stronger commitment to the sport.
- Skill development: With a clear focus on learning and improvement, a coaching philosophy can ensure that practices are designed to enhance players’ hockey skills, fitness, personal growth, and understanding of the game. Players can also develop valuable life skills such as respect, teamwork, discipline, and resilience.
- Sense of belonging: When players feel that they are part of a team that values their growth, their attendance and retention improve. A philosophy that includes emotional and social well-being fosters an inclusive team culture.
- For the parents:
- Alignment of expectations: Parents often have expectations about their child’s experience in youth sports. A coaching philosophy shared with parents helps align their expectations with the coach’s goals. This reduces misunderstandings and builds a supportive environment.
- Trust and communication: By clearly stating how the coach will manage the team and support player development, this helps show the parents that the coach has a fundamental basis from which to operate, and this helps build trust. It opens lines of communication, creating a partnership between the coach and parents to ensure the best experience for the players.
Why review and refine the philosophy annually?
While a coaching philosophy is fundamental, it is not static. Coaches evolve, and so do their teams and the challenges they face. The coach must acknowledge the age and level of play and keep that perspective in the forefront. Regularly reviewing and refining the philosophy allows it to stay relevant and responsive to the needs of the team, the coach’s own growth, and changes in the broader hockey landscape. Here’s what reviewing and refining can help you do as a coach:
- Adapt to new knowledge: Hockey, like any sport, is constantly evolving. New rules, training techniques, pedagogical approaches, and advances in sports psychology can all influence how a coach approaches player development. Annual reviews ensure that the coaching philosophy remains aligned with the latest thinking.
- Reflect on past experiences: After each season, the coach should reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. Perhaps a greater emphasis on fun led to better retention, or more game-like activities in practice would result in more transferable learning in games. Reflecting on the past season allows for a more effective approach in the future.
- Adjust to team dynamics: Each team is different, with unique dynamics, challenges, and unique personalities. An annual review ensures that the philosophy is tailored to the specific needs of the current group of players and parents.
Creating a coaching philosophy that reflects your values
To create a coaching philosophy for youth hockey that reflects your authentic values, start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What is my purpose as a coach? Why do you coach? What past experiences (positive or negative) influence your answer? What is your coaching style? How do you want others (including your own children) to perceive you? Will you focus on outcomes (not directly controllable) or process (more controllable)? It’s important that coaches in minor hockey focus on fostering a love for the game while improving skills and developing good sportsmanship.
- What values do I want to instill in my players? Consider the importance of respect, teamwork, hard work, discipline, resilience, and enjoyment. Your philosophy should reflect these values—not only in how you coach but also in how you expect players to interact with each other.
- What type of environment do I want to create? A positive, supportive environment is key for youth development. Consider how you will manage practice, communication, and conflict resolution to ensure this type of culture.
Exemplar philosophy: Fun, Learn, Return
Using personal experience and the keywords from my own coaching philosophy—Fun, Learn, and Return—a coaching philosophy could be structured as follows:
Fun: As a coach, I will ensure that practices and games are enjoyable for players. Fun is essential to maintaining their motivation and love for the game. Practices will include engaging activities, small area games to develop decision-making in a realistic hockey environment and team-building events that foster enjoyment.
Learn: My focus is on continuous improvement. In addition to hockey skills, players will learn valuable life skills such as respect, teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Practices will be designed to challenge players both physically and mentally, ensuring that they improve their skills and fitness.
Return: I believe that players who have fun and feel they are improving will continue to show up. My goal is to create an environment where players are eager to return, season after season, because they feel a sense of accomplishment and belonging.
Resources for developing a coaching philosophy
Books:
- InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives by Joe Ehrmann: This book emphasizes the role of good coaching in shaping young athletes’ lives and how to develop a philosophy focused on positive impact.
- The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier: While not specifically about sports, this book helps coaches create a habit of asking meaningful questions that foster development.
Websites and podcasts:
- Changing the Game Project: Offers resources and articles on coaching youth sports and young people in a way that prioritizes development and fun.
- Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show: A provocative, in-depth podcast that examines the world of minor hockey, from coaching to program development to the myriad of issues faced by everyone in the game.
Creating and refining a minor hockey coaching philosophy is beneficial for the coach, players, and parents. It provides clarity, consistency, and purpose, guiding the coach’s approach and fostering a positive environment. Players benefit from a philosophy that emphasizes fun, learning, and belonging, while parents gain trust and alignment in expectations. By reviewing and adjusting the philosophy annually, coaches can adapt to new challenges and knowledge, ensuring that their approach remains effective and authentic. Ultimately, a well-developed coaching philosophy creates a cohesive, motivated, and successful team both on and off the ice.
