USAH safe sport training for coaches

[elliott70]

Mandatory training in safesport for coaches and board members that oversee coaches....

any feed back, opinions?????????

[SCBlueLiner]

It's a bunch of BS that is going to drive even more would-be volunteers away. Our association has discussed this and even interpreted the rule to go so far as any hockey moms who are in charge of carpooling need to take Safesport. Basically, it could be interpreted that any adult who spends time with kids other than their own has to take the class, coaches, board members, parent volunteers, the carpool lady, etc. Just add one more thing to the list of things parents have to do to "volunteer".

But hey, USA Hockey has their butts covered in the case of any potential lawsuits.

[JSR]

It's a bunch of BS that is going to drive even more would-be volunteers away. Our association has discussed this and even interpreted the rule to go so far as any hockey moms who are in charge of carpooling need to take Safesport. Basically, it could be interpreted that any adult who spends time with kids other than their own has to take the class, coaches, board members, parent volunteers, the carpool lady, etc. Just add one more thing to the list of things parents have to do to "volunteer".

But hey, USA Hockey has their butts covered in the case of any potential lawsuits.

I completely agree with you... I am jsut about to the point where I am done. The ridiculous cost and the ridiculous amount of time I have to spend watching videos, and taking classes, and the back ground checks and the fact it far too often comes out of my own pocket book. It's enough, I run certain hockey camps etc..... and I am about to the point where I am going to run them through AAU or just self insure them because it will be cheaper and alot less time consuming. i know I am not in your district, or even in your state Elliot but my thoughts on this subject can be applied every where I believe.

[Froggy Richards]

Mandatory training in safesport for coaches and board members that oversee coaches....

any feed back, opinions?????????

All aspects of the Safesport campaign should already be common sense to any parent. USAH should not be increasing the demands on volunteer coaches. Hockey is already the only sport that charges me a fee to be a coach. I think 14 hours of modules and 8 hours of coaching clinics is more than enough.

[Blueliner16]

I did mine to get it out of the way. It is free which was surprising but was very boring. And as some of you said it is mostly common sense. It was just like the age specific modules. Let the video play as you do other things and take the quiz at the end

[oldschoolpuckster]

I did mine to get it out of the way. It is free which was surprising but was very boring. And as some of you said it is mostly common sense. It was just like the age specific modules. Let the video play as you do other things and take the quiz at the end

This is the exact kind of feedback USA Hockey needs!!! This is how the majority of coaches get through this required "education".

Damn lawyers (and hockey moms )

[zooomx]

I guess I don't understand the associations that do not reimburse all fees for coaches. Our association does, so there is no out of pocket cost for coaches to get cleared or educated by MN Hockey.

Regarding Safe Sport: Once you understand the subject matter, it seems to only make sense to have ANYONE who has direct contact with our children go through Safe Sport training. If you think of the numbers, it is sad to say that each of our associations probably have several "high risk" parents who we don't want alone with our kids. Safe Sport training does talk about protecting our kids from high risk situations. Think of it like a seatbelt. I hated the law that said I had to wear one, until it saved my life in an accident. There is a lot of potentially nasty things that could happen in the locker room or just around the game itself. In fact, there have been too many situations over the years in which our kids have been assaulted, abused or bullied severely which has resulted in the creation of Safe Sport.

Is it common sense? Yes... but tell me that when you watched the training video you felt you were in total compliance of the safety measures. It makes you think, which is good. I think that this time, USA Hockey and those dang lawyers nailed it.

[57special]

I must saying that going through the course made me question whether or not I want to coach. The section(s) on abuse of players by coaches showed some ugly but necessary truths. On the one hand, I want my sons playing in a safe atmosphere where predatory behavior is caught ASAP, on the other I can see where a coach can be wrongly ID'ed as an abuser.

[SECoach]

I did mine to get it out of the way. It is free which was surprising but was very boring. And as some of you said it is mostly common sense. It was just like the age specific modules. Let the video play as you do other things and take the quiz at the end

This is the exact kind of feedback USA Hockey needs!!! This is how the majority of coaches get through this required "education".

Damn lawyers (and hockey moms )

This training is mandated by the USOC of all sports they are involved in. This is not a mandate from USA Hockey or Minnesota Hockey.

The day that I think I need no further education in my trade, have no responsibility to the players and parents to become better educated, and better at what I do, please send me a note letting me know to move on.

It's time we asked the people who think they don't need to keep up, think they know it all, and think that learning to be better is a waste of their time, to please move on. Thank you very much for your time, but please move on. I'd rather see someone that knows nothing, but is willing to learn, than anyone that thinks they know it all coaching our kids, or working along side me for that matter. By the way, I think these are often the same people that cry foul when they aren't awarded the coaching position they were seeking. I've yet to meet a good coach that says they aren't interested in becoming a better and would rather wash the dishes.

[SECoach]

It's a bunch of BS that is going to drive even more would-be volunteers away. Our association has discussed this and even interpreted the rule to go so far as any hockey moms who are in charge of carpooling need to take Safesport. Basically, it could be interpreted that any adult who spends time with kids other than their own has to take the class, coaches, board members, parent volunteers, the carpool lady, etc. Just add one more thing to the list of things parents have to do to "volunteer".

But hey, USA Hockey has their butts covered in the case of any potential lawsuits.

I completely agree with you... I am jsut about to the point where I am done. The ridiculous cost and the ridiculous amount of time I have to spend watching videos, and taking classes, and the back ground checks and the fact it far too often comes out of my own pocket book. It's enough, I run certain hockey camps etc..... and I am about to the point where I am going to run them through AAU or just self insure them because it will be cheaper and alot less time consuming. i know I am not in your district, or even in your state Elliot but my thoughts on this subject can be applied every where I believe.

Case in point

[SCBlueLiner]

I did mine to get it out of the way. It is free which was surprising but was very boring. And as some of you said it is mostly common sense. It was just like the age specific modules. Let the video play as you do other things and take the quiz at the end

This is the exact kind of feedback USA Hockey needs!!! This is how the majority of coaches get through this required "education".

Damn lawyers (and hockey moms )

This training is mandated by the USOC of all sports they are involved in. This is not a mandate from USA Hockey or Minnesota Hockey.

The day that I think I need no further education in my trade, have no responsibility to the players and parents to become better educated, and better at what I do, please send me a note letting me know to move on.

It's time we asked the people who think they don't need to keep up, think they know it all, and think that learning to be better is a waste of their time, to please move on. Thank you very much for your time, but please move on. I'd rather see someone that knows nothing, but is willing to learn, than anyone that thinks they know it all coaching our kids, or working along side me for that matter. By the way, I think these are often the same people that cry foul when they aren't awarded the coaching position they were seeking. I've yet to meet a good coach that says they aren't interested in becoming a better and would rather wash the dishes.

I guess we just disagree.

In our small association we depend heavily on parent volunteers. I don't have an issue with the head coaches in each of our divisions taking the classes and completing the modules, they are fine with doing the classes and modules, it's the volunteer assistants who are out on the ice just helping with practice, the ones who set up drills, pick up the pucks, the extra hands and eyes that are handy to have on the ice when you have 40-50 mites out there at the same time. It's those people who are being driven away by the ever increasing requirements. These types of volunteers are the backbone of our association and it is difficult when you lose them because of requirements like this.

[JSR]

It's a bunch of BS that is going to drive even more would-be volunteers away. Our association has discussed this and even interpreted the rule to go so far as any hockey moms who are in charge of carpooling need to take Safesport. Basically, it could be interpreted that any adult who spends time with kids other than their own has to take the class, coaches, board members, parent volunteers, the carpool lady, etc. Just add one more thing to the list of things parents have to do to "volunteer".

But hey, USA Hockey has their butts covered in the case of any potential lawsuits.

I completely agree with you... I am jsut about to the point where I am done. The ridiculous cost and the ridiculous amount of time I have to spend watching videos, and taking classes, and the back ground checks and the fact it far too often comes out of my own pocket book. It's enough, I run certain hockey camps etc..... and I am about to the point where I am going to run them through AAU or just self insure them because it will be cheaper and alot less time consuming. i know I am not in your district, or even in your state Elliot but my thoughts on this subject can be applied every where I believe.

Case in point

You obvioulsy miss the point...It's all welll and good for you to sit on your pedestal and "judge" the VOLUNTEERS who help make organizations work but why don't we put your theory into practice and you know what you'll have, you'll have about 6 people left in the whole state helping out. Coaching hockey is NOT my occupation, and I VOLUNTARILY do it so the kids will have someone to help them. I guess it's easy when you live in the bubble that is Minneapolis metro area hockey where coaches and ex-players etc.... are just coming out of the woodwork and you can try and place your demands and your useless backwards morals on them and force out the good hearted volunteers so you can run things in your dictator style. But guess what, that isn't how the rest of the world works. The rest of the world literally has to take whoever is willing to volunteer just to make the dang association run. And in MOST associations I am familiar with that are outside of Minneapolis, well the majoirty of the work gets done by the same 10% of the families. I sit on our aosscation board, I come to do the rink cleanings, I assistant coach two different teams, I run our website and I run outside camps for those kids who want to get better and want more ice time and I run them at the cost of the ice time, I keep NOTHING monetarily for myself as I want the kids to be able to have a place to play that is affordable. Our outside ice is minimal as our weather is enough different in southern WI from Minneapolis on north that we don't have alot of outside ice available, and where we do have it, it's sketchy on how often it's even skateable, I don't mean zamboni nice, I mean frozen solid enough to skate, so I provide "pond hockey-esque" opportunity at our indoor rinks and I do it because no one else has shown to be willing to do it. So yea, push guys like me out and then pat yourself on the back for doing it, meanwhile my association folds and the kids in my town have no where to skate within reasonable distance and our sprort shrinks because I am one of the only 12 adults in the whole association even willing to step up to help make sure the kids have a place to play good job!!! Your condescension without facts is astounding on this matter..... Also, guess what, in my experience the good coaches find ways to learn, and get educated and keep getting better because it's what they want to do, but also they usually do so outside the confines of USA Hockey. I actually do better myself in coaching all the time but I do it where I can get actual things that help me learn how to be a better coach, which USA hockey and their "videos" and forced classes rarely if ever do. There is a similarity to my occupational field, we are forced to do 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maiantain our professional licenses. What i have found is this, the classes are a joke, the good professionals are always learning and always getting better and don't need these courses, the ones who "need" these prefabricated courses probably should not be in our profession any longer. That said this is not a profession so you can't put those same demands and judgements on people. These are volunteers, and like I said most places in the country do not have volunteers coming out of the wood work. It's all well and good for you to say you'd rather have someone who knows nothing but is willing to learn but that's also a joke, first of all this is hockey, if you are going to coach hockey you have to atleast be able to stand up on skates and guess what, most adults who have not played hockey or figure skated, they can't stand up on skates and they aren't willing to learn either. Your attitude is elitist and out of touch. See I'd rather have people who are willing to help regardless of whether or not they think they know it all or not, atleast they are willing to step up and help, atleast they are putting the kids before putting themselves on the couch to watch TV like so many that I know.... but yea keep laying more and more useless demands on them and you'll push them all away. Good luck with that, we'll see how that turns out for you

[JSR]

This is the exact kind of feedback USA Hockey needs!!! This is how the majority of coaches get through this required "education".

Damn lawyers (and hockey moms )

This training is mandated by the USOC of all sports they are involved in. This is not a mandate from USA Hockey or Minnesota Hockey.

The day that I think I need no further education in my trade, have no responsibility to the players and parents to become better educated, and better at what I do, please send me a note letting me know to move on.

It's time we asked the people who think they don't need to keep up, think they know it all, and think that learning to be better is a waste of their time, to please move on. Thank you very much for your time, but please move on. I'd rather see someone that knows nothing, but is willing to learn, than anyone that thinks they know it all coaching our kids, or working along side me for that matter. By the way, I think these are often the same people that cry foul when they aren't awarded the coaching position they were seeking. I've yet to meet a good coach that says they aren't interested in becoming a better and would rather wash the dishes.

I guess we just disagree.

In our small association we depend heavily on parent volunteers. I don't have an issue with the head coaches in each of our divisions taking the classes and completing the modules, they are fine with doing the classes and modules, it's the volunteer assistants who are out on the ice just helping with practice, the ones who set up drills, pick up the pucks, the extra hands and eyes that are handy to have on the ice when you have 40-50 mites out there at the same time. It's those people who are being driven away by the ever increasing requirements. These types of volunteers are the backbone of our association and it is difficult when you lose them because of requirements like this.

Here, here to logic, reason and common sense! Thank you!

[Blueliner16]

JSR you hit the nail on the head. Most of our assoc volunteers are the same people. Everyone complains coaches shouldn't be on the board but nobody else steps up. Most people fail to realize how much time and money we spend to coach your kid. We do it because we love it and want to see all of our kids develop. It's the damn parents that stand on their soap box and can't even say "THANK YOU" at the end of the season

I am a level 4 coach and most of my education in coaching has come from when I played and the coaches I have played for and doing hours of research on my own. Not the hours I spent on weekends going to USA Hockey's clinics

[zooomx]

JSR you hit the nail on the head. Most of our assoc volunteers are the same people. Everyone complains coaches shouldn't be on the board but nobody else steps up. Most people fail to realize how much time and money we spend to coach your kid. We do it because we love it and want to see all of our kids develop. It's the damn parents that stand on their soap box and can't even say "THANK YOU" at the end of the season

I am a level 4 coach and most of my education in coaching has come from when I played and the coaches I have played for and doing hours of research on my own. Not the hours I spent on weekends going to USA Hockey's clinics

This... I don't understand. In our very healthy hockey association, we have some very experienced, very talented, very knowledgeable coaches who are constantly talking about how USA Hockey has provided a great blueprint for developing our players. These are coaches who played at a very high level and know the game. I have never heard of a parent who was interested in coaching, choose not to due to the coaching requirements of USA hockey. Are you honestly saying as a level 4 coach you have learned nothing from USA Hockey? Hard to believe.

I don't coach hockey, but I serve on our board. I, and many other parents do say "thank you" to the coaches all the time. As a baseball coach, I never ask for a "thank you", nor do I expect one. I coach because I enjoy it, and I want to give back to the game. So, are coaches on this forum just venting? (somewhat understandable)

I am sure there are probably many you deal with in your association who do appreciate your efforts. I think, reading between the lines, the bigger issue is whether or not associations and the governing boards do enough to compensate volunteer coaches for out of pocket costs. Or, do we do enough to recognize the extreme efforts put out by coaches. A unhealthy relationship between board of directors and hockey/coaches committee seems to be a common source of such angst. I just don't see USA Hockey or Minnesota Hockey as the villains. Just my humble opinion.

[SECoach]

Volunteer or Martyr? They are not the same thing. I believe in the past you have stated that you are a professional in the field of psychology. The doctor will see you next doctor.

Just as a friendly reminder, safesport training is a requirement from the USOC. Blame USA Hockey all you want, but your aggression and bitterness is misplaced in this case.

I truly mean no implications in this statement, but without some training, how can one be knowledgeable as to who may be grooming a kid with the intention of misconduct? I for one would like the people spending time with my kids to rely on more than their own experience in these matters, even if they are only picking up the pucks. If that makes me ignorant, so be it. If you were to see the stats on how often it happens, which you would if you watched the video, you may feel differently. In my opinion, no effort should be spared to put an end to this behavior, and I don't believe I'll apologize anytime soon for that opinion.

[greybeard58]

Just how is this going to be enforced?
Do all coaches,referees and volunteers have to complete this course?
Does this apply to ALL Mn Hockey/USA Hockey sanctioned programs?
If this follows the CEP enforcement problems are ahead, for instance if coaches are given till 12/31 to complete the safe sport training then all the coaches in the Elite leagues both boys and girls do not have to take it this year as they will have started and finished their play before 12/31.

I do hope that the enforcement of this program does not allow any affiliate to have exclusions for this like there are for the enforcement of the CEP USA Hockey and Mn Hockey rules in the Mn Hockey fall and spring programs.

[JSR]

Volunteer or Martyr? They are not the same thing. I believe in the past you have stated that you are a professional in the field of psychology. The doctor will see you next doctor.

Just as a friendly reminder, safesport training is a requirement from the USOC. Blame USA Hockey all you want, but your aggression and bitterness is misplaced in this case.

I truly mean no implications in this statement, but without some training, how can one be knowledgeable as to who may be grooming a kid with the intention of misconduct? I for one would like the people spending time with my kids to rely on more than their own experience in these matters, even if they are only picking up the pucks. If that makes me ignorant, so be it. If you were to see the stats on how often it happens, which you would if you watched the video, you may feel differently. In my opinion, no effort should be spared to put an end to this behavior, and I don't believe I'll apologize anytime soon for that opinion.

Answer the following questions:

1) Did you know the behavior was wrong before you watched the video or did you need the video to tell you it was wrong?
2) If you knew it was wrong BEFORE you watched the video then what did the video do to change your mind about the behavior?
3) Do you honestly think people who perpetrate abhorrent behavior will change their behavior just because they watched a video?

4) Semi-related: Why don't we see all these "videos" etc... in the baseball, basketball and football coaching arenas, the three arenas with by far the most participation in our country? Why is it only hockey and soccer that we see this stuff?

[SECoach]

Volunteer or Martyr? They are not the same thing. I believe in the past you have stated that you are a professional in the field of psychology. The doctor will see you next doctor.

Just as a friendly reminder, safesport training is a requirement from the USOC. Blame USA Hockey all you want, but your aggression and bitterness is misplaced in this case.

I truly mean no implications in this statement, but without some training, how can one be knowledgeable as to who may be grooming a kid with the intention of misconduct? I for one would like the people spending time with my kids to rely on more than their own experience in these matters, even if they are only picking up the pucks. If that makes me ignorant, so be it. If you were to see the stats on how often it happens, which you would if you watched the video, you may feel differently. In my opinion, no effort should be spared to put an end to this behavior, and I don't believe I'll apologize anytime soon for that opinion.

Answer the following questions:

1) Did you know the behavior was wrong before you watched the video or did you need the video to tell you it was wrong?
2) If you knew it was wrong BEFORE you watched the video then what did the video do to change your mind about the behavior?
3) Do you honestly think people who perpetrate abhorrent behavior will change their behavior just because they watched a video?

4) Semi-related: Why don't we see all these "videos" etc... in the baseball, basketball and football coaching arenas, the three arenas with by far the most participation in our country? Why is it only hockey and soccer that we see this stuff?

Championship caliber ignorant post there. The intent is not to have offenders watch the video and change their behavior. The intent is for those involved to recognize offenses and offenders. It may help convince someone that is verbally abusive that their behavior is wrong, but it is not meant to get a pathological offender to clean up their act.

From safesport.org

The U.S. Olympic Committee is proud to dedicate our leadership, energy, and resources to this cause. However, no one individual or club is responsible for addressing issues of misconduct in sport. It’s a team effort – and that team consists of sport clubs, coaches, parents and athletes. Such a mission requires constant vigilance; misconduct in sport threatens athletes and clubs, as well as the fundamental value that sport contributes to our society.

Our intent with SafeSport is to provide information and resources so that all members of the sport community have the awareness, tools and support structure they need to do their part. By taking a proactive stance and working together, we can ensure that sport continues to deliver on its promise to athletes and the communities that nurture them.

As far as other sports required training? A very quick google search shows that most governing bodies of a youth sport REQUIRE training of their volunteer coaches. The Safesport training is required by the USOC of ALL Olympic sports governing bodies. USA Hockey and US Tennis simply have their programs in place ahead of the required implementation dates.

Yes, I believe it's time to exclude anyone, volunteer or paid, that abuses children, whether sexually, verbally, physically, or psychologically from participation of any kind. It's been ignored, allowed, accepted, or condoned for far, far too long. I don't think assuming that it is front of mind and a priority for most people is the way to go about it. It clearly has not been. I also believe that learning HOW to coach should be a priority over WHAT to coach.

[JSR]

Volunteer or Martyr? They are not the same thing. I believe in the past you have stated that you are a professional in the field of psychology. The doctor will see you next doctor.

Just as a friendly reminder, safesport training is a requirement from the USOC. Blame USA Hockey all you want, but your aggression and bitterness is misplaced in this case.

I truly mean no implications in this statement, but without some training, how can one be knowledgeable as to who may be grooming a kid with the intention of misconduct? I for one would like the people spending time with my kids to rely on more than their own experience in these matters, even if they are only picking up the pucks. If that makes me ignorant, so be it. If you were to see the stats on how often it happens, which you would if you watched the video, you may feel differently. In my opinion, no effort should be spared to put an end to this behavior, and I don't believe I'll apologize anytime soon for that opinion.

Answer the following questions:

1) Did you know the behavior was wrong before you watched the video or did you need the video to tell you it was wrong?
2) If you knew it was wrong BEFORE you watched the video then what did the video do to change your mind about the behavior?
3) Do you honestly think people who perpetrate abhorrent behavior will change their behavior just because they watched a video?

4) Semi-related: Why don't we see all these "videos" etc... in the baseball, basketball and football coaching arenas, the three arenas with by far the most participation in our country? Why is it only hockey and soccer that we see this stuff?

Championship caliber ignorant post there. The intent is not to have offenders watch the video and change their behavior. The intent is for those involved to recognize offenses and offenders. It may help convince someone that is verbally abusive that their behavior is wrong, but it is not meant to get a pathological offender to clean up their act.

From safesport.org

The U.S. Olympic Committee is proud to dedicate our leadership, energy, and resources to this cause. However, no one individual or club is responsible for addressing issues of misconduct in sport. It’s a team effort – and that team consists of sport clubs, coaches, parents and athletes. Such a mission requires constant vigilance; misconduct in sport threatens athletes and clubs, as well as the fundamental value that sport contributes to our society.

Our intent with SafeSport is to provide information and resources so that all members of the sport community have the awareness, tools and support structure they need to do their part. By taking a proactive stance and working together, we can ensure that sport continues to deliver on its promise to athletes and the communities that nurture them.

As far as other sports required training? A very quick google search shows that most governing bodies of a youth sport REQUIRE training of their volunteer coaches. The Safesport training is required by the USOC of ALL Olympic sports governing bodies. USA Hockey and US Tennis simply have their programs in place ahead of the required implementation dates.

Yes, I believe it's time to exclude anyone, volunteer or paid, that abuses children, whether sexually, verbally, physically, or psychologically from participation of any kind. It's been ignored, allowed, accepted, or condoned for far, far too long. I don't think assuming that it is front of mind and a priority for most people is the way to go about it. It clearly has not been. I also believe that learning HOW to coach should be a priority over WHAT to coach.

No sir, this was a championship caliber ignorant post. WOW, seriously you just don't get it do you.... It obviously doesn't matter how intelligent my answers are, your mind is made up and your head is up your ***.... good luck helicopter dad, I feel bad for your kids

[NextGoalWins]

I have to say that I agree with the safe sport training. Yes another stream of videos but they do make a point and bring a common theme to those that are going to volunteer.

JSR you are a pillar of your hockey community and that's a great thing but many volunteers and coaches aren't as thoughtful, giving or come with a mindset that is in the best interest of the youth.

Setting standards and expectations that promote positive nurturing and development are good things even if they look like a bunch of red tape.

I too spend a lot of hours supporting the community. I also see some real idiot coaches and parents that bring a very dysfunctional atmosphere to the mix. Knowing that the people that are involved with the kids are all subjected to these themes helps bring a level of accountability to everyone.

[JSR]

I have to say that I agree with the safe sport training. Yes another stream of videos but they do make a point and bring a common theme to those that are going to volunteer.

JSR you are a pillar of your hockey community and that's a great thing but many volunteers and coaches aren't as thoughtful, giving or come with a mindset that is in the best interest of the youth.

Setting standards and expectations that promote positive nurturing and development are good things even if they look like a bunch of red tape.

I too spend a lot of hours supporting the community. I also see some real idiot coaches and parents that bring a very dysfunctional atmosphere to the mix. Knowing that the people that are involved with the kids are all subjected to these themes helps bring a level of accountability to everyone.

Ok, let's say I buy into your premise that these videos are "good". Based on everything I have read and seen it sounds like this is backwards then. To me it sounds like the parents, players and board members are the ones who should be required to watch these videos and not the coaches. I mean it was established above that the good coaches don't really need it and the bad ones will ignore it and won't change on their own, so really it's up to everyone else to identify it so they can change it and remove the bad apples. BUT the parents, players and board members are not the ones being asked to and being required to watch it and do the training, it's just the coaches.... do you see where this is going????

[SECoach]

I have to say that I agree with the safe sport training. Yes another stream of videos but they do make a point and bring a common theme to those that are going to volunteer.

JSR you are a pillar of your hockey community and that's a great thing but many volunteers and coaches aren't as thoughtful, giving or come with a mindset that is in the best interest of the youth.

Setting standards and expectations that promote positive nurturing and development are good things even if they look like a bunch of red tape.

I too spend a lot of hours supporting the community. I also see some real idiot coaches and parents that bring a very dysfunctional atmosphere to the mix. Knowing that the people that are involved with the kids are all subjected to these themes helps bring a level of accountability to everyone.

Ok, let's say I buy into your premise that these videos are "good". Based on everything I have read and seen it sounds like this is backwards then. To me it sounds like the parents, players and board members are the ones who should be required to watch these videos and not the coaches. I mean it was established above that the good coaches don't really need it and the bad ones will ignore it and won't change on their own, so really it's up to everyone else to identify it so they can change it and remove the bad apples. BUT the parents, players and board members are not the ones being asked to and being required to watch it and do the training, it's just the coaches.... do you see where this is going????

Good coaches don't need it? Should we leave it for you to decide who is a good coach? I'm not confident in your point of view on who is a good coach, and I would guess you are not confident in mine.

Where this is going in my opinion is that you need to brush up on the requirements, maybe even spend the time taking the required training, and then render your opinion and your point of view. I still may not agree, but I would at least give it a little value.

[JSR]

I have to say that I agree with the safe sport training. Yes another stream of videos but they do make a point and bring a common theme to those that are going to volunteer.

JSR you are a pillar of your hockey community and that's a great thing but many volunteers and coaches aren't as thoughtful, giving or come with a mindset that is in the best interest of the youth.

Setting standards and expectations that promote positive nurturing and development are good things even if they look like a bunch of red tape.

I too spend a lot of hours supporting the community. I also see some real idiot coaches and parents that bring a very dysfunctional atmosphere to the mix. Knowing that the people that are involved with the kids are all subjected to these themes helps bring a level of accountability to everyone.

Ok, let's say I buy into your premise that these videos are "good". Based on everything I have read and seen it sounds like this is backwards then. To me it sounds like the parents, players and board members are the ones who should be required to watch these videos and not the coaches. I mean it was established above that the good coaches don't really need it and the bad ones will ignore it and won't change on their own, so really it's up to everyone else to identify it so they can change it and remove the bad apples. BUT the parents, players and board members are not the ones being asked to and being required to watch it and do the training, it's just the coaches.... do you see where this is going????

Good coaches don't need it? Should we leave it for you to decide who is a good coach? I'm not confident in your point of view on who is a good coach, and I would guess you are not confident in mine.

Where this is going in my opinion is that you need to brush up on the requirements, maybe even spend the time taking the required training, and then render your opinion and your point of view. I still may not agree, but I would at least give it a little value.

You are right, I am not..... BUT what if we did use YOUR opinion on what a good coach is... again you just made my point. The good coaches don't "need it" and the bad ones won't pay attention to it, nor will the bad coaches be turning themselves in. Further this stuff can also apply to teammates but IMHO even a good coach can only do so much amongst teammates. So the question is really, who is this for and what is it trying to accomplish. Well, seems to me the players, parents, and board are the ones who should be taking it so they can determine who is a good coach and who is not and use it so they can either help guide and teach those coaches or get rid of them. But again, I don't see how this helps if those people are not being required to take it. Even if I thought I should take it, even if I thought it might help shed some light on some things for me, at the end of the day the people evauating my coaching, the people who actually need to know what to look for are the parents and players (and maybe board members) as they are the ones who ultimately hold the coaches and teammates responsible.... just making the coaches take this does nothing if you ask me if no one else is held accountable, and maybe coaches like myself wouldn't rail against it so hard if the parents started having to take these courses just to allow their kids to participate, seems like what is good for the goose is good for the gander (just imagine if a parent had to take these courses just so their kid could play)..... I have gone to the site and visited many of the pages and read what they are trying to do and honestly I don't agree with their opinion on some of it, some of it is good, alot of it is common sense but a small portion of it I don't agree with and I don't get why I am being force fed other peoples values when they are not my own?? As long as they are not illegal I was under the assumption that we still lived in a free country where we could find places that share our common values, those places being within our communities and our hockey community down here shouldn't have to look exactly the same as yours up there (I could go on a big rant about that)........ That said, your value of my opinion is something I do not lose any sleep over, thank you

P.S. Why do you keep saying "required training", I have yet to receive a single communication from USA Hockey or WAHA telling me that this will be "required" in order to coach this upcoming season, nor can I find any evidence on the USA Hockey site where this is "required" for the up coming season. Why do you keep saying "required". Maybe it will be in the future, or very soon but near as I can tell it is not right now..... until then your opinion is moot anyway

[SECoach]

Ok, let's say I buy into your premise that these videos are "good". Based on everything I have read and seen it sounds like this is backwards then. To me it sounds like the parents, players and board members are the ones who should be required to watch these videos and not the coaches. I mean it was established above that the good coaches don't really need it and the bad ones will ignore it and won't change on their own, so really it's up to everyone else to identify it so they can change it and remove the bad apples. BUT the parents, players and board members are not the ones being asked to and being required to watch it and do the training, it's just the coaches.... do you see where this is going????

Good coaches don't need it? Should we leave it for you to decide who is a good coach? I'm not confident in your point of view on who is a good coach, and I would guess you are not confident in mine.

Where this is going in my opinion is that you need to brush up on the requirements, maybe even spend the time taking the required training, and then render your opinion and your point of view. I still may not agree, but I would at least give it a little value.

You are right, I am not..... BUT what if we did use YOUR opinion on what a good coach is... again you just made my point. The good coaches don't "need it" and the bad ones won't pay attention to it, nor will the bad coaches be turning themselves in. Further this stuff can also apply to teammates but IMHO even a good coach can only do so much amongst teammates. So the question is really, who is this for and what is it trying to accomplish. Well, seems to me the players, parents, and board are the ones who should be taking it so they can determine who is a good coach and who is not and use it so they can either help guide and teach those coaches or get rid of them. But again, I don't see how this helps if those people are not being required to take it. Even if I thought I should take it, even if I thought it might help shed some light on some things for me, at the end of the day the people evauating my coaching, the people who actually need to know what to look for are the parents and players (and maybe board members) as they are the ones who ultimately hold the coaches and teammates responsible.... just making the coaches take this does nothing if you ask me if no one else is held accountable, and maybe coaches like myself wouldn't rail against it so hard if the parents started having to take these courses just to allow their kids to participate, seems like what is good for the goose is good for the gander (just imagine if a parent had to take these courses just so their kid could play)..... I have gone to the site and visited many of the pages and read what they are trying to do and honestly I don't agree with their opinion on some of it, some of it is good, alot of it is common sense but a small portion of it I don't agree with and I don't get why I am being force fed other peoples values when they are not my own?? As long as they are not illegal I was under the assumption that we still lived in a free country where we could find places that share our common values, those places being within our communities and our hockey community down here shouldn't have to look exactly the same as yours up there (I could go on a big rant about that)........ That said, your value of my opinion is something I do not lose any sleep over, thank you

P.S. Why do you keep saying "required training", I have yet to receive a single communication from USA Hockey or WAHA telling me that this will be "required" in order to coach this upcoming season, nor can I find any evidence on the USA Hockey site where this is "required" for the up coming season. Why do you keep saying "required". Maybe it will be in the future, or very soon but near as I can tell it is not right now..... until then your opinion is moot anyway

I don't know, maybe WAHA will be joining AAU?

From an 8 second search on USAHOCKEY.com

In addition to Policies, the SafeSport Handbook includes the available and required Training of USA Hockey and its Member Programs’ employees, volunteers, administrators, coaches, parents and players on recognizing and reducing circumstances for potential abuse to occur; information on USA Hockey’s Screening and Background Check Program; the availability and procedures for any person to Report suspected abuse or misconduct (including protections from any retaliation or repercussions for such reporting); the procedures and means by which USA Hockey and its Member Programs should Respond to allegations of abuse and misconduct; and how USA Hockey and its Member Programs will Monitor and Supervise the SafeSport Program to help ensure its effectiveness.

I can understand how one could argue against the general policy of required training modules, however it is beyond me how one can argue the value and effectiveness of material they have not viewed and are not familiar with. Just likes a good argument I guess (although a weak position).

Another friendly reminder that USA Hockey, as well as other governing bodies have been required by the USOC to develop, require, and implement this training.