Understands that the game is about the players, not about themselves
Makes coming to the rink an enjoyable experience, not a dreadful one
Coaches every player on team, not just the best ones who he wants to keep around for next year
Knows that positive reinforcement is much more productive than negative
Remembers what it was like to be a kid and then treats the players how he or she would like to have been treated at that age
Communicates effectively with all players and their parents so misunderstandings are minimized
Knows when to step back and let the kids figure things out on their own
Understands that the referees are going to make mistakes and teaches the players on the team to accept that fact and not let it effect how they play the game
Is respectful of opponents and teaches his players that a quality opponent will help them improve and take their game to a higher level
Has heard and understands the phrase “profanity is a crutch for a weak mind”
Knows when to shut up and let the players talk things out themselves
Is smart enough to know that just because “it was done that way when I was a kid” doesn’t make it the right approach
Is willing to take the responsibility for a loss and give the players the credit for a victory
Knows that every player on the team is important to success of the team and will contribute at some point if given the chance
Recognizes that yelling is only a short term method of communication and sooner or later they will quit listening unless they want to
Realizes that only a fraction of a percentage point the players who play the game will even have the opportunity to play at a level beyond high school
Recognizes and is okay with the fact that they are coaching a youth sport and their “coaching career” will end before or when their child’s participation ends and it is not the first step to a professional coaching career
Understands that coaches don’t develop players, they develop themselves—coaches can only provide them the opportunity to do so
Knows that honesty and integrity will get you much farther in life than sacrificing them in order to win
Understands that motivation and respect born of fear might get you some wins in the short term, but true respect has to be earned over time by doing the right thing
Realizes that the time to coach is in practice. The games are the time for players to play and a coach can often be more of a hindrance than a help during games
Is smart enough to know that players don’t improve if they are sitting on the bench
Acknowledges that the player who actually did make it to the higher level probably got there in spite of their coaching, not because of it
Is willing and able to learn something new from players every time out on the ice
Remembers the coaches and teachers who had an impact on them, both positive and negative, and utilizes that experience
Understands the power of the coach and acts as a positive role model for the players at all times
Knows the value of a smile
Defines a successful season not by what was won or lost, buy by whether the players are inspired to play again next year
