TYKES DIVISION - In the Tykes division, you will be sure to have a lot of fun and will also be staring at the task of helping the little boys and girls with most basics of hockey skills to players most likely enjoying their first ever taste of ball hockey and team sports in general. The emphasis in this division will be on fun and individual skill development. The rules in Tyke are altered to achieve this.
 How are the rules altered?  The playing surface is divided into halves and four teams will be playing at a time.  The smaller playing surface means players are ALL more involved in the game and at this age most players would not come near the ball for most of the game on a regular playing surface.  There are no referees in the Tyke division and in the past both coaches have come to an agreement on who would act as the official for the game. While not calling penalties, the coach would still carry a whistle and help keep the flow of the game going and helping with line changes and player position and retrieving the ball out of the back of the net keeping in mind score is not kept in this division. 
In the past 4on4 has proven the best as this gives more opportunity for each player to be involved but also learn the job of a defense and forward rotating from forward to defense is the best way for a player to get the understanding of the roles of each position, this should take place for the entire season. 
During each time slot you will start off by your individual team having a brief skills session where basic skills like passing shooting and stick handling should be focused on.  At your end of the playing surface you can set up cones in an obstacle format and have players go through the circuit and shoot, giving your ever-new goalie a good warm-up prior to the game.  Goalies should be rotated thru so every player wanting to try goalie gets their shot regardless of their skill level. This division continues to be a hit and sets our players on a great path to a game we all love.  It hasn’t gone without its issues arising and we work hard to iron out the wrinkles.
  It is important to note that the number of coaches is still limited to three on the floor as per our insurance coverage for our coaches. All coaches must have a clear Criminal Record Check and completed Respect in Sport to be certified to coach in our association (VBHA will reimburse); failure to comply will result in being removed from coaching duties until it is completed.
  The only people allowed on the playing surface are the coaches who have been registered thru the association.  As an association we understand the want parents to be hands on with our young players and show their encouragement but no parents or siblings or other spectators will be permitted on the floor.  This topic needs to be stated from the beginning of your season and the expectation is the coaches will follow this rule and abide by it.
 
 
PEANUT DIVISION - For players who have already enjoyed their time as a Tyke in our association, this season marks the first time they will have the opportunity to play on a full surface with refs and the score being counted.   They will have line changes on the fly, rotate thru all five positions and even get a chance at goaltending if they wish.
For the second year Peanut players it is a chance to grow on the basic skills of ball hockey they have learned while improving their positional play and overall understanding of the game.  This division historically has many new players to the game of ball hockey and as a Coach you will head the task of teaching them many things. It’s the simple things like how to hold your stick properly, running and following directions that is taken for granted, but it is what Coaches need to focus on with their newest players.
As a coach, take the opportunity to have an open line of communication with your parents.  Assist them with stick length, proper equipment size and overall safety of their child.   Most parents may be hesitant to ask, so at your first meeting with your team be very vigilant in seeking out families who need a hand getting their son or daughter all geared up and ready to go.  Look for oversized equipment.  Offer a tip on making it work for them and letting them know it is a safety concern.  It is extremely important at this young age to take your practices seriously and plan as to what you will be doing.
 
 
PUP DIVISION - The pup division always proves to be an exciting division and the player’s competitive level starts to show thru more than in younger divisions.  There are still many new players to the game of ball hockey or team sports in general and the gap between your top end players and your first timers is at a high.  For some this could be the start of their fifth season within our association while others may not know the most basic of skills.
 For example, holding their stick properly, taking a shot or line changes.  As a coach we are met with the challenge of putting all the skills together to make a team and all players feel a big part of it.  There are always a wide variety of coaching styles which is welcomed but equal playing time of your whole team should be greatly emphasized regardless of your team’s skill level gap.
 
 
PEE WEE DIVISION – The PeeWee Division is a transitional one for the most part…players in their first year in PW have usually played at least one season of ball hockey and understand how the game works, but there will still be new players who’re trying this game for the first time as well. PW is also the division where positioning becomes more detailed and almost set in stone. Keeping the game FUN and FAIR is key here.
 
 
MINOR DIVISION (PACIFIC & MOUNTAIN) - The Minor division is unique, for some players they will feel pressure from their peers to perform, whether teammates or competitors of other teams most players have played with or against each other at some point or another. This increases the competitiveness and aggression on the floor at an age where their life is about impressing friends and feeling accepted, so reminding your players on what’s good sportsmanship and what is not, is imperative.  This is also the division where tiering begins. Pacific being tier #2 and Mountain being the upper tier.
 
 
MAJOR DIVISION (PACIIFC & MOUNTAIN) - Just like myself in the major’s division, I recognize most of the coaches in this division are not first timers at this and therefore will have a good understanding of how the season shakes down. Majors is a division that has a wide range of ability like all our divisions, and this needs to be taken in to consideration during the season along with where these kids are at in their teenage years. The speed intensifies, and the competitiveness begins to peak! Sportsmanship and team fair play must be adhered to and preached more than ever!
 
 
JUNIOR DIVISION (PACIFIC & MOUNTAIN) - For most if not all of you this is not the first kick at the can and you have been involved in one form or another over the years as a coach, executive member or parent of a player.  Therefore, an understanding on how things will play out is already understood.
This division is one that brings out the top level of competitiveness from our players and coaches for the simple fact you are not dealing with young kids you are dealing with young men.  
As a coach, the message you send to your players needs to be clear and concise.  Ball hockey is a recreational sport that has many reasons to work hard and be competitive but also many reasons to have fun and enjoy it. Win or lose with sportsmanship, respect and integrity must shine through.  The fair play rule is once again in effect keeping in mind this is not a rep program therefore power play lines and double shifting should not come at the cost of a child’s right to be on the floor and the signal you are sending to this child does not match VBHA leagues mandate. This does not change in any level.
Being a head coach for years in the VBHA and now, being part of the board as Head of Coaches I am excited about the upcoming season and will be here to hopefully answer any questions you may have to help you make this a memorable season for you and your team!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have throughout the season.
 

Thanks,
 
Head of Coaches VBHA
headcoach@vbha.com
 

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