Coaching Certification

Coaching certification, or “patching”, is the education program developed by USA Hockey and implemented by Mass Hockey for coaches at all levels of the sport.  There are four levels of certification, in order of progression:  Initiation, Associate, Intermediate, and Advanced.  Recently, USA Hockey has embarked on a nationwide initiative to upgrade the level of coaching, resulting in new, increased levels of standards for all coaching levels and all teams. 

Specifically, to qualify as a Head Coach or an Assistant Coach on an Official Team Roster, the following USA Hockey Coaching qualification levels must be obtained by November 1 of the current year for Bantam and Midget teams, and by December 31 of the current year for Beginner, Mosquito, Mite, Squirt, and PeeWee teams.  Coaches who fail to comply with their inaugural season will be declared ineligible for a coaching position for subsequent season(s) until they first achieve the appropriate USA Hockey endorsement.  All coaches must use the lower level of certification as a prerequisite for obtaining the next higher level of certification. 

The following chart identifies what level of certification is required as a Head Coach or an Assistant Coach for each age classification in the WYHA:

Because WYHA does not have any Tier I (or Select) teams, such as Junior Bruins, in its program, which requires in higher levels of certification for Assistant Coaches and, in the case of Midgets, Head Coaches, the Advanced level is not shown.  

The clinics offer a lot of good and useful information, both on and off the ice.  Among the topics covered are behavioral issues for players and parents, conditioning, administration, first aid, and basic skill development.  New coaches and experienced ones looking to progress to the next level are encouraged to get patched early in the season.  The half-day seminars tend to be offered at times that you may ordinarily be holding a practice or having a game.  It is important that coaches make the necessary arrangements to have their practices covered while they attend. 

Finally, WYHA sponsors all coaches at these clinics.  Please contact the Treasurer, see Contacts tab, for reimbursement of any fees. 

For more information on patching and the dates, times, and locations of Coaching Certification clinics, please visit www.masshockey.com/Coaching.