MEDFORD AREA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PARENT & PLAYER HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 MEDFORD AREA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION PARENT & PLAYER HANDBOOK This handbook provides useful information & resources regarding programs offered by the Medford Area Youth Hockey Association FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: MAYHA is a proud member of USA Hockey and the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association 1

2 2 Updated 9/19/15

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1: Introduction to MAYHA 1.1 Organization and Philosophy 1.2 Board of Directors Board Meetings Board Committees 1.3 Simek Recreational Center & Ice Arena Simek Center Manager 1.4 Website Section 2: Equipment, Teams and Programs 2.1 Equipment Player Equipment Goalie Equipment Equipment Loan Program Donning the Equipment Equipment Maintenance Skate Sharpening Local Vendors and Websites for Equipment Purchase Skate Sharpening at the Simek Center 2.2 Teams Team Determination by Age Age Classifications Intro Mite Squirt PeeWee Bantam U14 Girls Playing at a Higher Age Level 2.3 Programs Open Skate Rink Rat Program Section 3: Practices, Games & Tournaments 3.1 Practices 3.2 Games 3.3 Tournaments 3.4 Weather Cancellations Section 4: Coaching & Referees 4.1 Coaches Certification TABLE OF CONTENTS Screenings Selection of Coaches Responsibilities 3

4 4.1.5 Communication 4.2 Referees Section 5: Registration, Fees & Fundraising 5.1 The Hockey Season 5.2 Registration Registration with USA Hockey and WAHA Registration with MAYHA 5.3 Fees Multi-player Discounts Consequence of Failure to Pay Refunds 5.4 Fundraising 5.5 Donations Section 6: Parent Participation 6.1 Parent/Guardian Volunteer Participation Required Hours Tracking Hours Volunteer Activities Volunteer Hours Buyout Delinquent Volunteer Hours 6.2 Volunteer Coordinator Section 7: Conduct of Players, Parents, Fans & Coaches 7.1 General Standards of Conduct Parent s Code of Conduct Player s Code of Conduct Spectator s Code of Conduct Coaches Code of Conduct 7.2 Locker Room Supervision 7.3 Discipline Section 8: References, Resources & Links 8.1 The Game of Hockey 8.2 Hockey Terms 8.3 Website Links Area Hockey Rinks Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) USA Hockey 4

5 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO MAYHA 1.1 Organization and Philosophy Welcome to the Medford Area Youth Hockey Association (MAYHA)! MAYHA was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in Our program is structured under the guidance of its Board of Directors, as elected by its members, and delivered through volunteer service of parents and dedicated community members. The MAYHA mission is to provide an exciting, enjoyable, and safe opportunity for our community s youth to develop physical, social, and mental skills and strong character traits through participation in youth hockey. Sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, courage, patience, and self-control are the core values MAYHA intends to promote. MAYHA recognizes a broad range of abilities and commitment levels among our families, and we strive to provide appropriate instruction and competition for all levels at reasonable costs, while maximizing player enjoyment and skill development. We are committed to giving every child who wants to play hockey the opportunity to do so. 1.2 Board of Directors The MAYHA Board of Directors consists of 9 members elected to 2-year terms. Elections are held during the Board s annual meeting in the spring. Board officers include: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer Board Meetings Board meetings are usually held monthly during the hockey season. There are also several meetings during the off season. The Board conducts an annual meeting in the spring to elect new board members and choose its officers. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend all board meetings Board Committees Board committees are formed based on need and may include non-board members. 1.3 Simek Recreation Center In 1989, Pep Simek expressed interest in helping MAYHA finance an indoor ice facility. Without the fundraising efforts of MAYHA, along with generous donations from Pep and Fran Simek and many others, the Simek Recreation Center would not have been possible. The facility was dedicated on August 11,

6 The Simek Recreation Center is owned by MAYHA and its members. It is a full service banquet and convention facility used to host a variety of events throughout the year, such as the Medford Home & Business Expo, sports shows, craft shows, graduations, reunions, and wedding receptions. During the hockey season (October-March), the ice arena is used for hockey, figure skating, open skating, and private rental Simek Center Manager MAYHA employs a full time manager to oversee facility maintenance and financial business. The manager also schedules and coordinates non-hockey events at the facility. The Simek Center Manager can be contacted at (715) Website More information about the Medford Area Youth Hockey Association is available at SECTION 2: EQUIPMENT, TEAMS & PROGRAMS 2.1 Equipment For hockey player safety, all participants must wear protective equipment to reduce the likelihood of injury. While this equipment does not have to be new (or expensive), it does need to be in good condition as it is meant to keep the player safe. Loaner equipment is available for new players (see Equipment Loan Program section for more information). Protective equipment functions best when it fits properly. Equipment that is too small may not cover and fully protect players. Equipment that is too large may move out of position during movement or contact. Players are safer and perform better with proper fitting equipment. During hockey practices and games, players should wear the following protective equipment: HECC approved helmet with full facemask, mouth guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, padded hockey pants (breezers), athletic supporter and cup or pelvic protector, shin pads, and, of course, ice skates. Any additional protective equipment is optional. Goalie equipment is different and is explained in a later section. There are also a few pieces of non-protective equipment that hockey players need. This includes: hockey socks, practice jersey, hockey stick, and hockey bag. The next sections contain more detailed information about player and goalie equipment Player Equipment The following equipment information is meant to be a guide for new hockey families and is not intended to be authoritative in nature. 6

7 Skates Typically, you want a skate that is about 1 size smaller than your shoe size. When trying on skates, wear socks similar to ones that you will wear while skating. After putting on the skates, press your feet forward as far as possible so that your toes press against the front of the skates. You should be able to place one finger between the inside of the boot and the heels of your feet. This is simply to allow some room for growth. New skates take a few wears to break them in. It is also important to have your blades sharpened regularly. Skate Laces Wax-coated laces are discouraged, as they make skate tightening very difficult for young players. Laces occasionally break. Replacement laces may be available for purchase at the Simek Center. Helmet with Full Facemask A properly fitting helmet sits flat on the head and is about ½ inch above your eyebrows, without tilting forward or back. Adjust the chin strap so that it fits firmly under the chin. You want the helmet to fit snug enough so that it doesn t shift, but not to the point of where it feels uncomfortable. If you feel pressure or pinching, the helmet is too small. Mouth Guard Choose a size (youth/adult) based on the size of your child s mouth. The mouth guard may be loose or attach to the helmet cage. Shoulder Pads Shoulder pads are usually sized based on the circumference of your chest just below the armpits. Make sure the center of the shoulders line up directly with the center of the shoulder caps. Elbow Pads The elbow should fit comfortably in the center of the cup and should not twist or slide on the arm. Hockey Gloves They should fit comfortably on the hands, allow hands to bend, and completely cover wrists and lower forearms. Hockey Pants (Breezers) The pants should be long enough to fully cover legs above knees when legs are bent. Above the waist, the pants should extend to the lower rib cage. Shin Pads A proper fit enables the knee to sit directly in the center of the kneecap. The length of the shin guard should extend the entire length of the leg, touching the top of the skate. Hockey Socks Size is based on leg length. Socks are worn over the shin pads to help keep them in place. They are often held up by Velcro on athletic supports. Sweat pants are sometimes used in place of hockey socks. Players at the squirt level and above should purchase game socks. Athletic Supporter All players should wear an athletic supporter for games and practices. It provides protection and often holds up hockey socks. Male and female versions are available. Neck Guard (optional) Provides additional neck protection from sticks, pucks, and skates. Hockey Stick Choose a stick that your child can grip comfortably. Stick length is often based on personal preference, but the butt end should be no higher than a player s nose while standing in skates. Do not break the bank with your stick purchase. Practice Jersey Should be loose fitting. 7

8 Bag (optional) An official hockey bag is not necessary, but it is handy. Any large bag will keep your child s equipment together. Mouth Guard Neck Guard Elbow Pads Hockey Gloves Hockey Stick Hockey Socks HECC Certified Helmet with Full Face Mask Shoulder Pads Athletic Supporter Hockey Pants Shin Pads Skates Goalie Equipment MAYHA has several sets of goalie equipment in a variety of sizes. Coaches will help with goalie equipment sizing. If your child is interested in playing goalie, talk to your child s coach. Goalies (or goal tenders) wear the following equipment: Athletic Supporter Hockey Socks (or sweat pants) Hockey Pants Skates (player skates work fine) Chest & Arm Protector Leg Pads Jersey Goalie Helmet (includes neck shield) Glove Blocker Goalie stick 8

9 2.1.3 Equipment Loan Program Game jerseys will be loaned to all players at the beginning of each hockey season. Jerseys should be cleaned when necessary according to manufacturer instructions. Clean jerseys are turned in at the end of the hockey season. MAYHA has a large assortment of loaner equipment available at no cost. The majority of our loaner equipment is sized for players 8 years and younger, but we do have some gear in larger sizes. Some equipment, such as mouth guards and athletic supporters, must be purchased by parents. Gear can be checked out at the start of the season and is available for use on a first come first serve basis. MAYHA will not purchase additional equipment to fit a player who may be too large or too small for the available gear. All hockey equipment is typically turned in at the end of the regular season. MAYHA does loan equipment for summer hockey opportunities Donning the Equipment Instructions for Dressing a Hockey Player: Your child may do this in a different order (whatever works for them). If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to ask other parents or a coach. Old t-shirt Players can get quite sweaty. Athletic supporter Some younger players wear sweat pants underneath their equipment, which is optional. Shin pads These are usually held up with straps or tape. Socks These are usually held up by Velcro on athletic supporter or hockey tape. Hockey pants (breezers) Skates Parents may have to help tie at first, but players should be able to tie their own skates by Squirt age. Shoulder pads Elbow pads Jersey Neck guard (optional) Helmet and mouth guard Gloves Stick Helpful Suggestions: Have your player go to the bathroom before beginning to dress. Do a dry-run of getting dressed at home. This will give you an idea of how much time you will need. Players should be encouraged to get dressed on their own as soon as possible. 9

10 Encourage your player to pack his/her own equipment to ensure everything is packed, whether leaving home or leaving the locker room Equipment Maintenance After every game or practice, hang up all equipment in a well ventilated place to air dry. Wipe skates dry after every skate, checking for nicks or dull edges. Sharpen blades only when needed. Periodically check helmet screws. They will loosen with use. Periodically check stick for damage. Replace as necessary Skate Sharpening 101 Skate sharpening is the process of creating a hollow on the bottom of skate blades by grinding off metal using a skate sharpening machine. By creating a hollow, blades are shaped with two edges, inside and outside. Correctly sharpened skates will allow proper stride, turning, and stopping. Skates lose their edges or become dull when those edges come in contact with hard surfaces or objects (other than ice). For older or more experienced skaters, sharpening frequency is often a matter of personal preference. For parents of young skaters, the following tips may be helpful: Observe and CAREFULLY touch edges of newly sharpened skates to get a baseline of what they should be like. Watch your child skate. Excessive falling during turns or stops might be an indication of dull skates. Look at your child s skate edges often to note differences in sharpness. Sharp edges appear squared-off, while dull edges have a more rounded look. Talk with your child about skate edges to help him/her build an awareness of skate sharpness and encourage self-monitoring Local Vendors and Websites for Equipment Purchase Local Vendor: Goal Line Golf & Hockey 1430 Grand Ave, Schofield, WI (715)

11 Websites: Hockey Monkey Total Hockey, Inc. Hockey Giant Pure Hockey Skate Sharpening at the Simek Center Skate sharpening is available at the Simek Recreation Center. See the Simek Center Manager, coaches, or other trained individuals for assistance. Families can elect to pay for skate sharpening in advance for the entire season as part of the registration process (see Registration Form for fees). Those opting out of the up-front skate sharpening fee at registration will be subject to an individual fee for each sharpening. Refer to section (Equipment Maintenance) for recommendations on when to get skates sharpened. 2.2 Teams Team Determinations by Age Age Classifications Age On or Before December 31 st of the Current Hockey Season MAYHA Level 4, 5 & 6 years old or any new skaters Intro 8 years of age & under Mite 10 years of age & under Squirt 12 years of age & under PeeWee 14 years of age & under Bantam Girls, 14 years of age & under U14 Girls Intro Boys and girls, ages 4, 5 & 6 or new skaters. This introductory level helps players become comfortable on skates with equipment on. Players learn skating basics through instruction, skating drills, and fun skating games. Players will also begin using sticks and pucks Mite Boys and girls, 8 years of age and under (8U). Players continue to build skating skills with increased emphasis on puck handing, passing, and shooting. Practices become more competitive in nature, and team concepts are introduced. Players are encouraged to play different 11

12 positions including goalie. Players may play a limited number of cross ice games against other teams. Checking is not permitted Squirt Boys and girls, 9 & 10 years of age (10U). Players continue to build skating and puck handling skills. There is increased focus on positioning, puck control, and team play. Teams play full ice games with referees according to USA Hockey rules. Checking is not permitted PeeWee Boys and girls, 11 & 12 years of age (12U). Players continue to build skating and puck handling skills. Play becomes much faster. There is a strong focus on positional play and team strategy. Checking is not permitted Bantam Boys and girls, 13 & 14 years of age (14U). Fast, competitive play where they develop more sophisticated skills while honing the skills they have already learned. Checking is permitted U14 Girls Girls, 14 years of age and under. Competitive girls-only hockey. Requires enough interested girls to field a team. Checking is not permitted Playing at a Higher Age Level For safety and player development reasons, players are highly encouraged to play at their designated age levels. For a player to permanently move up a level, all of the following must occur: Parent must submit written request to the Board of Directors no later than November 15 th of that season. The request must contain player name, age, current level of play, level of play requested, and reason for request. Current level and requested level coaches must consent to move. Coaches committee must consent to move. Board of Directors must approve the request. 12

13 2.3 Programs Open Skate The Simek Recreation Center has open skate sessions throughout the hockey season. It is open to all skaters in the community for a small fee. Many hockey players enjoy this as an opportunity to skate with friends in an unstructured setting. Most open skate sessions are during the afternoon and evening on weekends. Sticks and pucks are not allowed during open skate Rink Rat Program MAYHA players can be rewarded for their extra skating practice through the Rink Rat Program. Simply by attending open skate sessions and checking in with a concessions volunteer, players can earn credit toward end of season prizes. Open skate attendance for MAYHA players is tracked in the Rink Rat binder, which is located in the concessions area. Players are individually responsible for checking in at each open skate. During the end of season awards banquet, Rink Rat Program participants are recognized and prizes are awarded. Though all participants receive prizes, players with higher participation rates receive larger prizes. SECTION 3: PRACTICES, GAMES & TOURNAMENTS Coaches at all levels expect that players will attend practices and games. Communication with the coaches when a player can t be at a game or practice is essential for the coaches to prepare for either the game or practice. 3.1 Practices Coaches will communicate to parents and players regarding the times for practices, along with any changes to the practice schedule. Players should be fully dressed and ready to be on the ice when practice begins. Intro typically have practice Saturday mornings for 1 hour, subject to change Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, U14 and Bantam typically have practice on weeknights, 1-3 times per week, depending on ice availability In the view of many coaches, practice and game attendance are equally important. More ice time, skill development, instruction, puck touches, and individual improvement occurs during practice. Each coach will have his/her own rules and consequences regarding absences. Please respect their need to establish these parameters for the team. 13

14 3.2 Games Most games are played on weekends at the Simek Recreation Center or within a 100 mile radius of Medford. Squirt, PeeWee, and Bantam teams typically play between 20 and 30 games per season. Game schedules are formed prior to the beginning of the season. Schedule information can be obtained from coaches or from the MAYHA website at Games may be added or cancelled during the course of the season, so it is important to check the website for updates routinely. Coaches will communicate to parents and players regarding the times for arrival prior to games. Parents should typically plan to arrive to games at least minutes prior to the puck drop to allow for dress, pre-game warm-up, or any adjustment to the start time of the game. Players should be fully dressed and ready to be on the ice when the game begins. Travel to games is the responsibility of the parents/guardians of each player. Carpooling is encouraged when transportation challenges exist. Notify the coach if transportation difficulties exist. If possible, the coach should be notified in advance if a player is unable to attend a scheduled game. 3.3 Tournaments Teams often participate in one or more tournaments during the course of the season. Tournaments often involve several games played over the course of 1-2 days. Tournament play may involve travel and occasionally require overnight accommodations. Coaches will communicate the dates and schedules for tournaments. The coach should be notified in advance if a player is unable to participate. 3.4 Weather Cancellations In the case of severe weather the final decision to practice or play a previously scheduled game lies with the head coach. The coach will notify families of any cancellation. Of course, each family needs to decide whether the risks of travel are in their best interest. 14

15 SECTION 4: COACHING & REFEREES 4.1 Coaches It is the intent of MAYHA to provide the best possible coaches for our youth teams Certification MAYHA coaches are all USA Hockey certified. Certification requirements include: periodic coaching clinics, online age-specific training modules, and online safety training Background Screenings Coaches are required to consent to be screened and pass a criminal background check conducted by the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) Selection of Coaches Anyone interested in becoming a coach or assistant coach should contact MAYHA s ACE Coordinator. The ACE Coordinator recommends coaching assignments and presents the recommendations to the Board. MAYHA s policy is to select the most qualified head coach from among all interested candidates, regardless of whether a candidate is the parent of a child participating in the program Responsibilities The head coach of each team oversees the team s practice and game schedules and runs practices. Each head coach is expected to hold an initial parent meeting near the beginning of the season. Parents should make every effort to attend this meeting Communication Coaches communicate with parents primarily through . Changes in practice schedules and games are also sent by . It is important that you provide a working address when you register your child. Game and practice information is also available through the MAYHA website, but schedule changes are not always reflected there. You may also receive late notice changes by a phone call. 15

16 4.2 Referees Official game referees are USA Hockey trained and certified. Players, coaches, and parents/fans are expected to be respectful toward referees and their calls on the ice. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a referee, please contact a Board member for more information. SECTION 5: REGISTRATION, FEES & FUNDRAISING 5.1 The Hockey Season The hockey season typically runs from late October through the beginning of March. Practice schedules will fluctuate and games may be added or dropped throughout the season. Parents may watch practices from the lobby (warm area) or from the bleachers. Games are most often enjoyed from the stands where you can hear the action and cheer for your team! 5.2 Registration Preseason registration allows MAYHA representatives to plan and coordinate teams and coaches for the upcoming hockey season. To facilitate this process, returning players are strongly encouraged to register on the designated registration date Registration with USA Hockey and WAHA All players must register with USA Hockey, which in turn registers them with the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA). No player can participate in MAYHA activities until the registration with USA Hockey has been completed. To register with USA Hockey, go to Registration with MAYHA All players wishing to participate in MAYHA programs must complete the registration form and medical consent form(s) prior to participation. Registration and consent forms are available for completion at the registration event, often held in September (see website for date). The forms are also available for download at the website. 16

17 5.3 Fees Ice time is a valuable commodity. Player registration fees help to off-set the cost of ice time and arena maintenance. Fees are periodically adjusted but are intended to be set at the lowest possible amount to encourage participation among Medford residents and those of surrounding communities. Our fees are very reasonable in comparison to other associations in our region. There is also a Future Family Fund fee for each family. A portion of the fee goes towards the Rink Improvement Fund and a smaller portion is deposited into the Endowment Fund for future growth purposes. Fees are due in full upon registration. Returning players could be charged a late registration fee if they do not sign up on the designated registration day Multi-player Discounts The MAYHA recognizes the financial burden of having more than one player in a household. Fees are paid in full for the first player registering at the highest age level. Further discounts are applied for subsequent players. See the Registration Form for details Consequence of Failure to Pay The MAYHA reserves the right to refuse a player to attend any team practice or games until payment(s) are brought current Refunds Fees will be refunded only when a player is injured and cannot continue the season, and then only on a pro-rated basis. For example, if the regular season is 18 weeks long, and a player is injured at 12 weeks, their refund will be calculated by taking the 6 weeks they missed divided by 18 to get a 33% refund. If the skater fees were $ the refund would be $ ($370 X.33). All other requests for a refund must be submitted to the board in writing for approval. 5.4 Fundraising MAYHA currently holds three primary fundraisers during the course of the season. These non-optional fundraisers (per family) include a gun/cash raffle, four-wheeler/cash raffle, and Spring Steak Feed. Families must pay for the tickets up front with one lump sum payment or 3 installments. Families can then earn back the cost through sales of the tickets to other community members. Intro level players are exempt from these fundraisers. Families can elect to do a buyout for the fundraisers instead of participating in the fundraisers. The family must choose whether to participate in the fundraisers or do the buyout. There is no splitting the expense between the two. 17

18 Additional optional fundraisers may occur during the season. 5.5 Donations Donations are accepted and can be made directly to the Medford Area Youth Hockey Association by contacting the Board Secretary/Treasurer. SECTION 6: PARENT PARTICIPATION 6.1 Parent/Guardian Volunteer Participation For MAYHA to provide a quality hockey experience, it relies on the help and support of the families involved. Families are required to volunteer a set number of hours during the calendar year. A buyout option is also available for this requirement Required Hours The MAYHA Board sets specific requirements for families as it pertains to volunteer commitments based on the age level of the player(s). Families with multiple players are required to fulfill the number of hours for the player at the highest age level. Volunteer service must include a minimum of 5 hours in the concession stand. Five hours must be served during high school games and/or open skate sessions. Families are allowed to have others contribute hours of service on their behalf. For example, if the player s grandparent serves in the concession stand for 2 hours, those hours can be logged toward that player s total hours. Age Level Intro Mite Squirt PeeWee Bantam U14 # of Required Hours per Family None 15 hours 25 hours 25 hours 25 hours 25 hours Tracking Hours There is a locked box located near the rink entrance. Volunteer hours should be logged on the forms near the drop box and placed into the box upon completion. The Volunteer Coordinator tallies the volunteer hours throughout the year for each family. 18

19 6.1.3 Volunteer Positions and Activities Volunteers make our hockey association work! That point cannot be overemphasized. There are a wide variety of positions and activities that can contribute toward the total number of hours needed to meet the per-family requirement, including: ACE Coordinator responsible for coach recruitment and training Announcing announces scoring and penalties and manages music during the game Board Members oversee MAYHA operations Coaching a minimum of 2 per team. Must be certified to coach. Qualifies for 10 hours towards the total hours needed per family. Concession Stand available for individuals 14 years of age and older. Includes concession activities for age levels other than those of the player (example: the mother of a Squirt level player serving concessions during a high school game). Cleaning sweeping/vacuuming the lobby, locker rooms & bleachers. Cleaning windows or bathrooms and picking up around the rink. Equipment Manager organizes and coordinates the lending and return of all hockey equipment from the MAYHA supply Facility Maintenance maintenance jobs with prior approval of the Board of Directors or the Simek Center Manager Game Scheduler facilitates the scheduling of games for all levels of play in collaboration with coaches and other teams High School Games admission, concessions, announcing, scoring, time clock, zamboni Newsletter/Communications writes informational letter regarding new season happenings and programming; distributes general information throughout the hockey season Open Skate - concessions Penalty Box manages the penalty box(es) during the games Recruitment & Retention coordinates and conducts activities to recruit and retain hockey players Referee Scheduler coordinates referees for all home games and tournaments Registrar coordinates player registrations through USA Hockey and WAHA Scorekeeper completes official score sheet for games and secures coach and referee signatures following the conclusion of the game Setting Up or Taking Down Boards before and after hockey season (mid- October or mid-march); or any other boards maintenance Steak Feed kitchen, waitress, tickets, bar tender Time Clock manages the electronic score board during games Volunteer Coordinator facilitates and tracks all volunteer activities Website Administrator responsible for website structure and updating website information 19

20 Zamboni resurfaces the ice during and after games or after practices. Training required prior to driving the Zamboni Volunteer Hours Buyout Families who anticipate they will be unable to fulfill the volunteer hour requirements can elect at registration to buyout their required hours at a specified amount per hour Delinquent Volunteer Hours Families who were unable to satisfy their required number of volunteer hours from the previous year must pay the specified amount per hour for the number of hours of deficit. This payment must be received prior to the player being able to participate in activities the next season. 6.2 Volunteer Coordinator The Volunteer Coordinator serves to communicate all volunteer activity needs, including scheduling of concessions, scorekeeping, time clock, announcing, and penalty box services for all games. Families can sign up in advance for activities based on availability. The Volunteer Coordinator ensures all needs are met and tracks the number of hours served by each family throughout the season. Families can contact the Volunteer Coordinator regarding all questions related to volunteer hour commitment. SECTION 7: CONDUCT OF PLAYERS, PARENTS, FANS & COACHES 7.1 General Standards of Conduct Parent s Code of Conduct As the parent of a hockey player, you set the example for good sportsmanship. Learning how to win and lose graciously and having respect for teammates, coaches, officials, opponents and the rinks where they play is just as important as the skills they are learning. MAYHA places a high value on good sportsmanship and respect. These are life skills that will carry throughout the hockey player s life. While players are taught to skate heads up, parents should adopt a similar attitude when it comes to game behavior. Cheer strongly in a positive manner, congratulate the opposing team on a job well done regardless of outcome of the game, and emphasize the good things your player did even if he/she didn t score a goal or have a shut out. Refrain from ugly talk or commenting negatively about the other team, coach or referee in front of your player. 20

21 USA Hockey gives these points for parents: Do not force your children to participate in sports, but support their desires to play their chosen sport. Children are involved in organized sports for their enjoyment - make it fun. Encourage your child to play by the rules. Remember, children learn best by example, so applaud the good plays of both teams. Do not embarrass your child by yelling at players, coaches or officials. By showing a positive attitude toward the game and all of its participants your child will benefit. Emphasize skill development and practices and how they benefit your young athlete. De-emphasize games and competition in the lower age groups. Know and study the rules of the game, and support the officials on and off the ice. This approach will help in the development and support of the game. Any criticism of the officials only hurts the game. Applaud a good effort in both victory and defeat, and enforce the positive points of the game. Never yell or physically abuse your child after a game or practice it is destructive. Work toward removing the physical and verbal abuse in youth sports. Recognize the importance of volunteer coaches. They are important to the development of your child and the sport. Communicate with them and support them. If you enjoy the game, learn all you can about hockey and volunteer. Don t compare your child with other players. Be honest with yourself when it comes to your child s capabilities. A KID ON ICE IS RARELY IN HOT WATER Player s Code of Conduct MAYHA fully supports the USA Hockey Players Code of Conduct. 21

22 Play for FUN. Work hard to improve your skills. Be a team player get along with your teammates. Learn teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline. Be on time for practices and games. Learn the rules and play by them. Always be a good sport. Respect your coach, your teammates, and your parents, opponents and officials. Never argue with an official s decision Spectator s Code of Conduct All spectators, parental and non parental, should conduct themselves in a sportsman like manner at all times. Be respectful of all players, spectators, coaches, officials and the rink itself. While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, this is a youth league event. Avoid negative criticism or conduct. Emphasis should be on the positive and make each player feel like a winner regardless of the scoreboard. In an effort to make ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, USA Hockey has instituted a program of Zero Tolerance for parental and fan behavior that has been adopted by WAHA. Referees, at their discretion, may have parents/spectators removed from the arena. MAYHA supports this program and requests that all parents be supportive of the team, the players and the officials. Players and officials all strive to perform at the highest possible level and deserve our support. On-ice officials will stop the game when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator s viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by MAYHA. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include: Parents who yell at players, coaches or referees/linesmen over the glass from the stands. Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence. Throwing of any object in the spectator s viewing area, player s bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard. 22

23 7.1.4 Coaches Code of Conduct Coaches are expected to follow the rules of fair play as well as show good sportsmanlike behavior at all team functions. Coaches are expected to emphasize respect of fellow team members, opposing team members, parents, officials and places where the team practices and/or plays. While it is easy to get caught up in the competition of the game, coaches are role models for their players and set the tone both on and off the ice of what type of behavior is acceptable. 7.2 Locker Room Supervision It is the policy of USA Hockey that all local hockey programs have at least one responsible adult directly monitoring the locker room during all team events to ensure that only participants (coaches and players), approved team personnel and family members are permitted in the locker room and to supervise the conduct in the locker room. 7.3 Discipline Practice and game behavior standards will be set by the team s coach. Coaches may impose reasonable consequences upon players whose behavior at practices or games is disruptive, disrespectful, or excessively negative. Such standards will be applied fairly to all players on the team regardless of playing ability. SECTION 8: REFERENCES, RESOURCES & LINKS 8.1 The Game of Hockey Ice hockey is played on a rink, a sheet of ice which is approximately two-thirds the size of a football field, usually feet long and feet wide. The game is played in three periods of equal length; 20 minutes for each period at higher levels, but often 12 or 15 minutes in youth classifications. The sport involves four basic skills: skating, stick handling, passing and shooting. These skills can be learned at any age, and the good hockey player continually works to improve and refine his or her skills. Physical size is not an important factor in becoming a skilled and successful hockey player. Every player has an opportunity to be a part of the action given the speed of the game, the number of players on a team and the size of the surface upon which the game is played. 23

24 THE FOUR BASIC SKILLS OF HOCKEY Skating the skill that makes hockey unique and it is something that players at all levels of the sport continually strive to improve. Without adequate skating ability, players are less able to perform other essential skills of the sport. Stick handling perhaps the most difficult of the basic skills to master. It allows a skilled player to maneuver around opponents and create better offensive opportunities. Passing what makes hockey a true team sport and helps make the game fun. Passing gets everyone on the ice involved in the action and turns scoring into a team effort. Helping teammates experience success is what the game is all about and passing allows the thrill of scoring to be shared. Shooting the end result of an offensive team play and is the action that produces a goal. Many players spend most of their time practicing shooting because they believe scoring is the most fun. Players should, however, place an equal emphasis on the other basic skills of hockey, given the fact most players generally take fewer than six shots in an entire game. THE TEAM A team is comprised of a maximum of six players on the ice at any one time. The goaltender (goalie) is responsible for guarding the team s goal and preventing the opposing team from scoring. The primary responsibility of the defensemen (two) is to prevent the opposing team from having a good shot at the goal. The defensemen also attempt to gain possession of the puck and pass to teammates to initiate an offensive scoring opportunity. The primary responsibility of the forwards (three: right wing, center and left wing) is to score. However, forwards also assist the defensemen by back-checking after their team has yielded control of the puck to the opposition. THE PLAYING ZONES The ice surface is divided by blue lines into three zones: defensive, offensive and neutral. The defensive zone is the area in which a team protects its own goal and attempts to keep the opposition from scoring. This same zone is the opposing team s offensive zone, or the area in which they are attempting to score. The neutral zone is the area between the two blue lines. THE OFFICIALS At higher levels of ice hockey competition, three officials one referee (identified by an orange arm band) and two linesmen are utilized. At the youth level, two officials both of whom are referees are common. The referee is the ultimate authority during 24

25 the game and is primarily responsible for calling penalties and determining if goals have been legally scored. The primary responsibility of the linesmen include conducting face-offs and determining violations of offside and icing while assisting the referee in enforcing the rules of the game. THE RULES The playing rules of hockey can be divided into two basic categories: 1. Violations that result in a face-off 2. Violations that result in a player being sent to the penalty box for a specified period of time The following is a brief explanation of each type of violation. Naturally, there are technical aspects of each rule that will, at various times, determine whether or not the violation is called. Face-Offs Offside an offensive player may not precede the puck across the blue line into the offensive zone Icing a team, when both teams have an equal number of players on the ice, may not shoot the puck from behind the center red line over their opponent s goal line (except if the puck goes into the goal). Penalties A penalty is a punishment for an infringement of the rules. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which the player cannot participate in play. Penalties are called and enforced by the referee. Some of the more common penalties are: Hooking use of the stick to hold back an opponent Tripping use of stick or body to cause an opponent to fall High-sticking striking an opponent on or above the shoulders with one's stick Holding impeding an opponent s progress by use of hand or stick (usually holding onto the player s jersey) Slashing hitting an opponent with a stick to hold or hurt him/her Interference impeding the progress of an opponent who does not have possession of the puck Roughing striking another player but not fighting Cross Checking hitting an opponent with both hands on the stick and no part of the stick on the ice 25

26 8.2 Hockey Terms Assist Awarded to the last one or two players who touch a puck before the player who scores the goal. Back Check Attempts by forwards on their way back to the defending zone to regain the puck Body Check Using hip or shoulder to slow or stop an opponent with the puck. Legal at boys bantam level and above. Not legal at lower levels or at any level of girls hockey. Breakaway The puck carrier getting in front of all opponents except the goalkeeper. Fore Check Keeping opponents at their end of the rink while attempting to regain possession of the puck. Freezing the Puck Holding the puck against the boards with sticks or skates. Hat Trick Three goals scored by one player in one game. Neutral Zone Center ice between attacking and defending areas. Penalty Kill When one team has fewer players on the ice than the other team due to one or more penalties, they are on the penalty kill Poke Check Stabbing at the puck with the blade of the stick to take it away from the puck carrier Power Play When one team has more players on the ice than the other team due to one or more penalties, they are on the power play Slap Shot Bringing the stick back and quickly forward, slapping the puck ahead (check rule book for legality at respective levels of play). Stick Handling Carrying the puck along the ice with the stick. Wrist Shot Flicking motion of the wrists to propel the puck off the blade 8.3 Website Links Area Hockey Rinks For directions and location information related to area hockey rinks, you can reference the ArenaMaps website at A link to this website is also available at the MAYHA website under our Links tab. Of course, you can always ask your coach or another parent for directions. 26

27 8.3.2 Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) Available at USA Hockey Available at 27