How to Coach 6U & 8U

This content comes from USA Hockey's 8U Age-Specific Module.

Fun & Challenging Environment

As coaches, we need to create a fun environment and engage kids. When young athletes are having fun, they are probably learning and improving, too. After we 1) account for everyone's safety, we need to 2) provide the opportunity for kids to compete, try hard, and be challenged often. We also need to 3) be knowledgeable as coaches and create a positive environment with respect for all and room for mistakes. The example we set will affect kids on and off of the ice. Lastly, we need to 4) provide kids with opportunity to support one another on the ice, explain teamwork and provide team-building activities, and we need to provide opportunity for kids to build friendships off of the ice.

Safety & Positive Coaching

Our first priority is always safety and we must constantly create a physically and psychologically safe environment through positive coaching. Through positive coaching, you also influence positive team dynamics and culture. This plays a huge role in creating that connection between your coaches, players, and parents.

How to Build the Environment

Build rapport with your players. Get to know athletes and their parents.

Treat players with respect. Allow everyone to have equal, fair playing time, especially at younger ages.

Allow mistakes and be positive when mistakes are made.

Provide opportunities for kids to support each other on the ice.

Explain the importance of teamwork and provide team building activities.

Providing social opportunities to build friendships off the ice.

Wade Gilbert and Jean Cote’s research into effective sport coaching inspired the 4 Cs of coaching: confidence, competence, connection and character.

1) Confidence: Teach athletes strategies for conquering self-doubt and frustration, and build their confidence through techniques such as positive self-talk and imagery.

2) Competence: Teach sport-specific technical and tactical skills, performance skills, improved health and fitness, and healthy training & recovery habits. Quality coaches also encourage and empower athletes to experiment with self-initiated, creative ways of training and performing skills. It is vital to build competence in your team consciously, as well as in yourself as a coach.

3) Connection: Connection creates a sense of belonging and increases the players’ investment in the overall experience. Teams learn and perform best when there is a high level of trust and commitment to common goals. Even when training and competing alone, athletes need to learn how to receive and use feedback from others. Part of an athlete’s development is gaining the trust and respect of others.

4) Character: Character in athletes is having respect for their teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, parents, themselves and the culture of hockey.