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Become a Coach!

Coaching youth sports can be one of the most fulfilling experiences – the best part is, we’re always looking for volunteers who love the game and want to give back! USA Hockey’s Coaching Education Program aims to develop the skills of our coaches so they in turn can develop our youth players to their full potential.

What do I need to do?

USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program require registration and certification to be eligible to coach.  This ensures that our coaches are both educated and safe to coach our youth hockey players.

USA Hockey Requirements - these must be completed before participating in any team activities.

Register with USA Hockey

Visit USA Hockey's Membership page to get started

Complete the SafeSport Training

Online training required for all USAH volunteers to help prevent abuse from occurring in our sport.

Complete Your Age-Specific Modules

Online training that only needs to be complete once per age level.

Coaching Education Program requirements - you must attend the requires clinic level by Dec. 31 each season. You can only attend one clinic per season and all coaches start at Level 1

Find a Coaching Clinic

For clinic levels 1-4, with both online and in-person options available


Student Coaches

Players who are between the ages of 13-17 and are currently registered with USA Hockey may serve as a student coach for teams at least one full age level below them. They cannot act as the Head Coach or Assistant Coach.

Once they turn 18, Student Coaches must comply with all USA Hockey requirements as outlined above for all adult coaches. This will then qualify them to act as an assistant or head coach.


Helmet Requirement

In the USA Hockey Annual Guide the following paragraph outlines the requirement.

All ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey Youth 18 & Under and below, high school, girls’/women’s 19 & under and below, and disabled programs must properly wear an approved ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and all Coaching Education Program clinics and/ or workshops. Failure to comply will result in a 30 day suspension from all activities involving USA Hockey registered programs.  

Becky Street

Becky Street

VSAHA Coach-In-Chief



Education Resources

USAH Continuing Education

Continuing Ed offerings for Level 4-5 coaches to renew their certification

USA Hockey Coaching YouTube Channel

Webinars and quick tip videos for USAH Coaches

Positive Coaching Alliance

Coaching education courses and resources for youth sports.

Coaching HER

Girls' specific coaching education modules