SHA COACHING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (revised January 2007)

Minimum Coaching Certification Level required

The Level Coach is not a prerequisite to go into Developmental I
Only Coaches who are Development I certified can enter into Developmental II.

All Team Officials registered - including managers (with the exception of stick boys/girls under the age of sixteen (16)) must have attended a Speak Out! Workshop by February 1 of the current season.

At least one team official listed as a coach on a minor hockey team must attend a Bodychecking clinic by February 1 of the current season. (Female Minor coaches and Initiation coaches are exempt as no bodychecking allowed in these divisions)

At least one team official must have attended a Safety Course by February 1 of the current season.

(The above is recommended at the Senior and Junior Levels, not mandatory)

Please Note: If you have just moved to Saskatchewan and have taken a Coaching clinic, Speak Out clinic or any clinic from a different province, your certification will qualify here. Please contact your old Branch office and ask them to transfer your certification to Saskatchewan Hockey Association office.

Certification Dates

Coaches needing Development I or II certification, deadline by February 1 of the current season.

Coaches needing HPI certified, deadline by September 1 of the current season.

To inquire about your coaching certification or about your coaches within your minor association, please contact the Coordinator of Coaching Development at the SHA office at 789-5101 or by fax to 789-6112 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hockey Canada developed the Intro to Coach to make a child's first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It's a structured, learn to play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game's basic skills.

The Intro To Coach has four levels of instruction designed for beginning hockey players ages six (6) and under. Each level represents a different set of skill progressions. These levels consist of 20 lesson plans that follow a defined path of progression. Each of the four levels emphasizes the basic hockey skills of skating, puck handling, passing, and shooting.

As players move through the program, they improve on both hockey skills and self-confidence. This progression of skill development is reinforced through practice drills, informal and modified games (such as shinny, freeze tag, and obstacle course).

The overall success of the program relies on the leadership and teaching abilities of the instructors. To assist coaches Hockey Canada developed a fie hour instructional clinic designed to ensure that instructors are fully prepared to present a successful program. The focus of the clinic is on skill analysis and development, lesson organization, and communications.

All coaches of players six (6) years of age and younger must attend this clinic regardless of prior coaching certification. The duration of this clinic is 5 hours total, with 4 hours in classroom sessions and 1 hour on-ice session.

The Initiation Program recommends player development be built on practicing technical skills 85% and individual tactics 15%.

"Up to a certain age, kids should just be let out to play pond hockey. Skate and be creative with the puck,"
Wayne Gretzky

The new Development Stream program will apply Activity-Based Learning. This course is designed for coaches working with players entering the competitive levels of hockey. After successful completion of this 14 hour course, which includes an assessment workbook, the coach's certification is updated to include competition completed.

The design of the new NCCP reflects the different types of coaches ("coaching streams") in the Canadian sport system and the specific environments ("coaching contexts") they work in. This allows coaches to enter into the different streams without having any previous certificiation.

DEVELOPMENT I

Coaches at the Development I learn:

• Coaches get physically active while learning first hand coaching tasks.
• How to drill design and progressions.
• How to teach individual tactics, team tactics, and goaltending.
• The principles of growth and development.

Please note that there is a post task that must be completed after the Development I and must be taken to the Development II course to use as a reference. Intermediate certified coaches must download the Development I post task and complete it to bring to the Development II clinic to use as a reference.

• Download Post Task 190.34 Kb here.

DEVELOPMENT II

This is the second step to completing the Development Stream. This course is designed for coaches working with players entering the competitive levels of hockey. After successful completion of this 14 hour course, which includes a field evaluation, the coach's certification is updated to include competition certified.

Coaches at the Development II learn:

• Coaches get physically active while learning first hand coaching tasks.
• How to do game analysis, mental preparation and off-ice training.
• How to coach defensive and offensive team play.

Development I completed or Intermediate certified coaches is a pre-requisite for Development II course.

• Clinic Dates

This is an entry level program for the recreational coach who has little or no experience as a coach. Upon successful completion of this 9.5 hour course, each coach will be required to complete the Learning Log Workbook upon completing the clinic. Then the coach will receive a six digit national number and card indicating that he/she has acquired Coach Stream of the National Coaching Certification Program.

Coach level provides an introduction to player development and teaches coaches:

• How to organize and implement an effective practice.
• How to design and implement a risk management program.
• How to teach individual skills such as skating, puck control, and checking.

Coach level emphasizes basic skills and the importance of having players develop confidence, self-esteem, and a love for the game.

There is a Pre Task to be completed before attending the Coach Stream clinic. If this is not completed before the clinic, the Pre Task will be handed out and explained at the clinic.

• Download Pre Task Readings .

• Download Pre Task 76.21 Kb.

The Hockey Canada Skills Development Program recommends the following for coaches to emphasize:

• Novice hockey recommends 75% on technical skills, 15% on individual tactics, and 10% on team tactics.
• Atom hockey recommends 50% technical skills, 20% individual tactics, 15% team tactics, 10% team play, and 5% strategy.
• Peewee hockey recommends 45% technical skills, 20% individual tactics, 15% team tactics,10% team play, and 10% strategy.
• Bantam hockey recommends 40% technical skills, 15% individual tactics, 20% team tactics, 15% team play, and 10% strategy.
• Midget hockey recommends 35% technical skills, 20% individual tactics, 20% team tactics, 15% team play, and 10% strategy.

• Clinic Dates
• Intro to Coach
• Hockey Canada - Player Development
• Starting out as a Hockey Coach

High Performance I Background and Eligibility Criteria

The NCCP High Performance I Seminar is held every two (2) years in Saskatchewan and is targeted at those coaches who have significant coaching experience, and want to pursue High Performance coaching opportunities with competitive athletes. The next will be held in 2010.

Those coaches applying for NCCP High Performance Level I Certification through this Seminar must meet the following criteria:

• Coaches Coaching in the Male program – should have a minimum three (3) years coaching experience at the Bantam level or higher

• Coaches Coaching in the Female Program – must have a minimum three (3) years coaching experience at the Midget level or higher.

• NOTE: As per new Hockey Canada guidelines for the NCCP program, coaches DO NOT have to have completed NCCP Development Level certification before applying for the NCCP High Performance I seminar.

To complete the NCCP High Performance I field evaluation following the seminar, coaches must meet the following criteria:

• For coaches in the Male program, you should be head coaching at the Bantam level or higher in the following season, or be assistant coaching at the Midget level or higher.

• For coaches in the female program, you should be head coaching at the Midget level or higher or be assistant coaching at the College, University or Senior level in the following season.

All candidates applying for NCCP HPI Certification will be subject to selection by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association. Not all applicants will necessarily qualify for acceptance to the NCCP High Performance I Seminar.

For more information on the Theory courses, contact:

• This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , SHA
• Coaches Association of Saskatchewan

For more information on High Performance coaching:

• Hockey Canada

The "Speak Out" Harassment and Abuse seminar, which was created by the HC in conjunction with the Red Cross, is a four hour seminar that covers five major areas.

The first element of the seminar is an overview of the HC's policies and procedures on preventing abuse and harassment. This is followed by definitions of abuse and harassment as well as explanations on how to deal with complaints and disclosers. Prevention guidelines for coaches as well as general guidelines for sports conclude the seminar.

Starting with the 1998-99 hockey season, the HC launched a new initiative whereby every coach in Canada who possesses coach certification must attend a "Speak Out" harassment and abuse seminar.

Please note, all registered SHA teams must have ALL coaches attend a Speak Out Clinic. Upon certification, coaches do not have to re-certify each year.

For more information:

• Hockey Canada Speak Out Program
• Hockey Canada Harassment and Abuse Policies

The Hockey Canada Safety Program is an eight hour risk management and safety education program for volunteer trainers and other team officials on minor, junior, female and senior hockey teams.

The ultimate goal of the program is to have hockey coaches, trainers and team officials implement effective risk management programs with their teams.

All participants are taught to utilize a proactive, preventive approach while being prepared to react in the event of accidents, injuries and medical emergencies.

The Hockey Canada Safety Program is also committed to the values of safety, enjoyment, fair play, sportsmanship and integrity in hockey, and attempts to position all participants as a strong voice for these values in hockey.

NOTE: All teams that register must have one team official on their team certification form who has their Hockey Canada Safety Program before Feb. 1st of each hockey season.

For more information:

• Hockey Canada Safety Program

Being involved in the Sask First Program as a coach is both a rewarding and developmental experience. The SHA is pleased to provide this opportunity to many of the province's coaches and volunteers.

The Sask First Hockey Program began in Saskatchewan in 1988 and since that time the program has brought great pride and accomplishment to this prairie province. It is a program that exists to promote the game and the tremendous good that can come from it. The Sask First hockey program is about development. It's about coaches and players working together and learning together. It's about young men and women becoming better hockey players and more importantly, becoming better human beings.

Each year we require coaches from across the province to fill positions with our:

1) Sask First Male Bantam Zone Teams

2) Sask First Male Midget Zone Teams

3) Sask First Female Zone Teams

Application package

Complete the attached application form and return to the SHA office. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the information presented in these packages, please do not hesitate to contact Scott Frizzell at 789-5101 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it All applications should be marked to Scott's attention, whether they are sent via fax or via mail.

Scott Frizzell

Manager of Hockey Development

#2-575 Park Street

Regina, SK S4N 5B2

Bus: (306) 789-5101

Fax: (306) 789-6112

E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it