Three Helpful Tips for a First-Time Youth Hockey Coach

 James Giacin is a well-respected hockey player and coach who was inducted into the St. Louis Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019. With a wealth of experience paying at the collegiate and professional levels, James Giacin has also served as head coach for the St. Louis Junior Blues Team until 1997.

As a coach, it is important to be able to effectively supervise a team during practices and games, choose game strategies, and decide which players will participate in the game. For beginner coaches, this can be a daunting task, but there are several tips that can help ensure success.

One of the most important things a beginner coach can do is get to know the players on their team. Building a strong bond with players allows a coach to understand their strengths and weaknesses and identify their individual needs in order to help them become better players. It is also important for a coach to prepare for the season ahead by establishing playing strategies, setting goals and guidelines for the team, and making sure that players have the proper equipment for practice sessions. This demonstrates organization and helps players work towards their individual and team goals.

Another helpful tip for beginner coaches is to outline plans for practice sessions. This includes start times for practices, how to organize the rink, the goals to be achieved at each session, and the preferred warmups and drills for each session. It is also important to make practices immersive and engaging in order to motivate and challenge players.