unacceptable behaviour. It would be a beautiful world if everyone obeyed these fair play behaviours. The problem is that these rules and codes are ultimately not adhered to. In minor hockey, we need to remember that our first priority is to keep our children safe, having a good time, respecting one another, and playing in an environment where they are able to learn the great game of hockey.
Human nature all too often messes up the balance of our beloved sport. Suddenly, there are 19 kids on the hockey team, and coaches leave the “worst” player on the bench, even though that player probably needs the most experience and development. Those coaches make a clear distinction between their “best” and “worst” hockey line, using that information to win the hockey game. By keeping only the best players out on the ice, they are violating the rules of minor hockey. The best coaches say, “I’m going to be the guy who makes sure that all kids develop equally. I’m going to make sure that all kids get equal ice time.” Coaches need to be committed to equal participation and equal development for all players and for the betterment of the game.
For many coaches, parents and people on the sidelines, the focus of this kids’ game is on the almighty win. Hockey is almost a religion in Canada, and winning is paramount in many of these adults’ minds. That has to change, if we are to teach our children to enjoy the game, and if we are to eliminate bullying and other damaging practices. We can never forget that the basic principle of minor hockey is the development of children.
Kids should get equal play, support, and instruction. That’s the rules, and it’s what is right for our young hockey players. Coaches should not yell at their young players, or ridicule them for making mistakes or performing poorly. They need to remember that their players play to have fun, and should encourage them to have confidence in themselves.
I was recently a linesman for a Peewee provincial hockey game. As a linesman, I am often in clear earshot of the coaches as they shout directions to their players. I was sickened by what I heard during this particular game. The coach in question screamed continuously at these Peewee children. He was clearly shortening the bench, and rotating his “best” players every second shift. He swore angrily, and shouted that they shouldn’t be “babies.” Their team was winning by two goals at that point. I wonder what happens when they are losing.
The goal of minor hockey is not to prime kids for NHL play (that is a happy by-product for a very small minority of players). Instead, the goal is to develop their personalities, skills, and self-esteem. The most important thing an adult, whether a coach, parent, official, spectator, or league organizer, can do around children is model the best behaviour, and set a good example. These kids spend an awful lot of time with these adults, and they are very impressionable.
We have a major problem in minor hockey. We are further from fair play than ever before, and it has nothing to do with the kids. It’s our fault, and our responsibility, as adults. There are a few reasons we are not doing very well at this.
It used to be that parents actually had to sign the fair play policies when they signed up their child for playing minor hockey in Canada. Today, parents just click on a little box on the online registration saying, “I have read the attached.” Unfortunately, not many have actually read the policies or are aware of them. In countless conversations with involved adults, I have asked them about the fair play policy, and whether or not they are aware of it. Most have no idea that there’s even a code in place. Although it’s not an easy fix, we need to make sure that responsible adults actually read the paperwork, so that they can obey and enforce the fair play policies.
For easy reference, here is the Hockey Calgary version of the Fair Play Policy, posted
Human nature all too often messes up the balance of our beloved sport. Suddenly, there are 19 kids on the hockey team, and coaches leave the “worst” player on the bench, even though that player probably needs the most experience and development. Those coaches make a clear distinction between their “best” and “worst” hockey line, using that information to win the hockey game. By keeping only the best players out on the ice, they are violating the rules of minor hockey. The best coaches say, “I’m going to be the guy who makes sure that all kids develop equally. I’m going to make sure that all kids get equal ice time.” Coaches need to be committed to equal participation and equal development for all players and for the betterment of the game.
For many coaches, parents and people on the sidelines, the focus of this kids’ game is on the almighty win. Hockey is almost a religion in Canada, and winning is paramount in many of these adults’ minds. That has to change, if we are to teach our children to enjoy the game, and if we are to eliminate bullying and other damaging practices. We can never forget that the basic principle of minor hockey is the development of children.
Kids should get equal play, support, and instruction. That’s the rules, and it’s what is right for our young hockey players. Coaches should not yell at their young players, or ridicule them for making mistakes or performing poorly. They need to remember that their players play to have fun, and should encourage them to have confidence in themselves.
I was recently a linesman for a Peewee provincial hockey game. As a linesman, I am often in clear earshot of the coaches as they shout directions to their players. I was sickened by what I heard during this particular game. The coach in question screamed continuously at these Peewee children. He was clearly shortening the bench, and rotating his “best” players every second shift. He swore angrily, and shouted that they shouldn’t be “babies.” Their team was winning by two goals at that point. I wonder what happens when they are losing.
The goal of minor hockey is not to prime kids for NHL play (that is a happy by-product for a very small minority of players). Instead, the goal is to develop their personalities, skills, and self-esteem. The most important thing an adult, whether a coach, parent, official, spectator, or league organizer, can do around children is model the best behaviour, and set a good example. These kids spend an awful lot of time with these adults, and they are very impressionable.
We have a major problem in minor hockey. We are further from fair play than ever before, and it has nothing to do with the kids. It’s our fault, and our responsibility, as adults. There are a few reasons we are not doing very well at this.
It used to be that parents actually had to sign the fair play policies when they signed up their child for playing minor hockey in Canada. Today, parents just click on a little box on the online registration saying, “I have read the attached.” Unfortunately, not many have actually read the policies or are aware of them. In countless conversations with involved adults, I have asked them about the fair play policy, and whether or not they are aware of it. Most have no idea that there’s even a code in place. Although it’s not an easy fix, we need to make sure that responsible adults actually read the paperwork, so that they can obey and enforce the fair play policies.
For easy reference, here is the Hockey Calgary version of the Fair Play Policy, posted
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