Hockey Canada Coaching

Learn about NCCP levels and requirements for hockey coaches


Hockey Coach Certification and Instructional Streams - NCCP

Hockey coaches seeking certification participate in clinics within National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) instruction streams that are relative to the level of players they are coaching. Clinics are offered at the provincial level through Hockey Canada Members.

Coaches training within the Community Sport Stream do not require NCCP certification. They maintain a Trained status.

Hockey Coaching - Intro to Coach Training Stream

Overview

The Coach 1 – Intro to Coach program was designed to review the basic tools coaches need in leadership, communication, teaching skills and lesson planning. This is taught with special considerations of the youngest athletes in mind. Coaches in the program receive a manual that provides progressive practice plans, which are tailor-made for teaching the beginner to ensure their first experience with hockey is fun and positive.

Who should attend?

Intro to Coach is a required course for registered coaches working with Timbits U7 players (5-6 years old) and U9; however, it is not necessarily targeted to the inexperienced coach. The program shows coaches how to teach basic skills and fundamentals while continuing to emphasize fun.

Qualification Requirements

Qualification is based solely on attendance – 100% attendance is required.

There is no pre-requisite course to Intro to Coach. Participants who successfully complete the program will receive Trained status upon completion of all components, which include online modules, classroom instruction and on-ice sessions.

The Coach 1 course consists of 12 online coach modules, 90-150 minutes of classroom time and 90 minutes of on-ice instruction.

Hockey Coach Training - Coach 2 Training Stream

All hockey coaches coaching U11, U13, U15 and U18 community sport streams require Coach 2 – Coach Level training.

Members and partners may also require the completion of Coach 1 – Intro to Coach or the Coach 1-2 Hybrid clinic for Timbits U7 coaches that are instructing players 5-6 years old.

Overview

Coach Level follows the competency-based education and training method of learning and is an excellent course for all new and recreational-level coaches. The NCCP Coach Level introduces player development and teaches coach knowledge, skills and attitudes in the following areas: 

  • Communicating effectively with athletes and parents
  • Supporting the athlete in a:
    • team environment
    • training environment
    • practice environment
    • game environment

 

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

Certification

Pathway for certification is shown in the graphic above.

Hockey Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada and Members do not require Certified status in this stream, only Trained.

All head coaches guiding teams at U13 or above at competitive levels, as determined by the Member, must be Development 1 Certified (other than those requiring High Performance 1). It is recommended all assistant coaches have Development 1 Trained status.

Competition Hockey Coaching - Competition Introduction Stream

Overview

Coaches learn good habits when they practice effective coaching behaviours. This clinic empowers coaches to do and think for themselves. Coaches in Development 1 get an in-depth practical look into the following: 

  • Team-building
  • Skill development
  • Drill design
  • Developing drill progressions
  • Practice planning
  • Athletic abilities
  • Individual skills and tactics
  • Making ethical decisions


All head coaches coaching U13, U15, U18 and Junior A teams that compete in interprovincial or national championships, or the highest level as determined by the Member, must be High Performance 1 Certified. It is recommended that all assistant coaches be, at minimum, Development 1 Trained.

Hockey Coaching Certification - Competition Development Stream - High Performance 1

Overview

The High Performance 1 stream is for those who are coaching players in the U15 AAA, Minor U18 AAA, U18 AAA and Junior A age categories and who aspire to coach at national and international competitions. Players in these age divisions are 13 to 21 years old, and they have shown the skills needed to be considered emerging players.

Coaches attending High Performance 1 seminars will get an opportunity to work in group and individual settings in areas such as:

  • Ethics and leadership in coaching
  • Teaching and leading techniques
  • Physical preparation
  • Power-play and penalty-killing instruction.
  • Advanced skill analysis
  • Leading drug-free sport
  • Conflict management

Hockey Coaching Certification - Instructional Stream

The Instructional Stream is a series of clinics that assist coaches and players in developing the skills required to play the game. These clinics are composed of in-class and on-ice sessions and are facilitated by instructors trained by Hockey Canada. Coaching clinics are offered on seven different topics: 

  • Skating
  • Checking
  • Goaltending
  • Developing defence
  • Skills
  • Shooting and scoring
  • Small-area games

The focus of each clinic is to assist the coach in developing their knowledge and ability to teach and develop age-appropriate skills (based upon Hockey Canada’s Long-Term Player Development Model).

Download the complete guide to the NCCP Instructional Stream

Register for a hockey coaching clinic

Within the Hockey Canada structure, the Coach Stream, Development Stream and High Performance Stream are delivered at the provincial level.

Register for a clinic or contact your Hockey Canada Member.

Please contact the Coaching Association of Canada if you have any questions about the National Coaching Certification Program. You can reach the Member Services department at 613-235-5000 or [email protected].

Register for a hockey coaching clinic

Within the Hockey Canada structure the Coach Stream, Development Stream and High Performance Stream are delivered at the provincial level.

Register for a clinic or contact your Member Branch.

Please contact the Coaching Association of Canada if you have any questions about the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). You can reach the Member Services Department at 613-235-5000 or at [email protected].




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