Hockey coaches need the right tools to guide players to success. Whether you’re coaching a youth league or a professional team, having the essential items makes your job easier. Good equipment helps you communicate better, plan strategies, and keep your team organized.
Hockey coaching combines teaching skills and managing players. You need items that support both roles. From clipboards to whistles, the right gear makes practices more efficient and games more successful.
When choosing coaching supplies, focus on durability and functionality. Items that can withstand rink conditions and serve multiple purposes give you the best value. We researched dozens of coaching tools to identify the five must-haves that every hockey coach needs on the bench and during practice.
A tactical coaching board is essential for explaining plays and positioning. You can draw formations, demonstrate strategies, and make quick adjustments during games. Most boards have a hockey rink layout with erasable surfaces.
Look for a board that’s portable and has a wrist strap. This allows you to carry it easily between the bench and locker room. Magnetic player pieces are helpful additions that make explanations more visual for your team.
A quality whistle is a coaching necessity. Digital whistles offer advantages over traditional ones, especially in cold rinks. They produce consistent sound without freezing up or collecting germs.
Many digital whistles have multiple tones and volume settings. This helps you signal different drills or situations. Some models include timers for managing practice intervals and drills.
Modern coaching requires video analysis tools. Software that lets you record, review, and share player performances helps improve techniques and strategies. Players learn faster when they can see their actions.
Choose software with slow-motion capabilities and drawing tools. These features help you highlight specific movements or positions. Many programs now offer cloud storage so you can share clips with individual players or the entire team.
Staying organized is crucial for effective coaching. A specialized coaching bag with multiple compartments keeps all your tools accessible. Look for water-resistant materials that stand up to ice and snow.
Good coaching bags have sections for pucks, whistles, first aid supplies, and paperwork. Some include insulated compartments for water bottles or medications. Wheels are helpful for moving between facilities without strain.
Planning effective practices saves time and improves player development. A dedicated hockey practice app helps you organize drills, track progress, and maintain records of team activities.
The best apps include drill libraries with diagrams and videos. They also let you customize sessions based on age groups and skill levels. Many offer sharing features so assistant coaches can access plans and contribute ideas.
Hockey coaches need the right tools to help their teams succeed on the ice. From tracking plays to communicating effectively during games, these essential items will improve your coaching experience and help your players develop their skills. Here are five products that every hockey coach should consider adding to their toolkit.
This comprehensive hockey guidebook is an essential resource for coaches looking to develop their players’ skills through detailed instruction and practical drills.
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What sets this guide apart is its attention to the small details that make a big difference in player development. The illustrations clearly show proper technique for everything from skating mechanics to stick handling. You’ll appreciate how the author explains not just what to teach, but how to teach it effectively to players of different skill levels.
The drills section is particularly valuable for planning efficient practices. I found the progression of exercises logical, allowing you to build players’ confidence while gradually increasing the difficulty. Your players will enjoy the variety of activities while developing their fundamental skills in a structured way.
At just 160 pages, this revised and expanded edition provides enough substance without overwhelming you with information. You can quickly find specific sections when planning practices or addressing particular skill deficiencies in your team. The physical quality of the book also stands up to rink-side use, which is important when you’re referencing it during practices.
The LEAP Premium Clipboard is a must-have tool for hockey coaches who need to explain plays and strategies clearly to their team.
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What makes this clipboard stand out is its versatility. You can draw plays on either the full or half court side depending on what you need to explain. The marker writes smoothly on the surface, and even though the eraser is small, it does the job well enough. Just be careful not to lose it – I started keeping mine attached with a string!
The board is made of premium plastic with a PVC writing surface that holds up well to regular use. While sometimes old markings leave faint traces after erasing, it doesn’t interfere with new diagrams. For the price, you’re getting great value with this coaching tool. Your players will better understand positioning and play development when you can show them visually rather than just explaining verbally.
You need this double-sided hockey coaching board for its durability, practical design, and versatile features that make game planning much easier on the bench.
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The double-sided feature saves so much time during games. The front side gives you the full rink view for setting up zone entries, while the back provides space for lineups and notes. That 360° swivel carabiner is surprisingly useful – I could flip between sides without fumbling with the board or taking off my gloves.
What makes this board stand out is its thoughtful design. The built-in marker holders keep everything organized on the bench, and the strong handle makes it easy to carry along with other gear. It’s versatile enough that our multi-sport coaches use it for softball and kickball in the off-season. For the price point, you won’t find a more durable and practical coaching tool.
This comprehensive guide for hockey parents offers essential advice that will save you time, money, and stress throughout your child’s hockey journey.
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The author, Christie Burns, shares wisdom gained through her own experiences that would benefit any parent entering the hockey world. The information is organized logically, making it easy to find guidance for specific situations you might encounter.
The format is particularly helpful, with 85 short chapters that address specific challenges like playing time concerns, tryout anxiety, and handling injuries. You can read it cover-to-cover or jump to sections that address your current needs. I appreciate how the book balances practical advice with encouraging perspectives that help keep hockey fun for everyone involved.
You’ll find this guide valuable whether you’re new to hockey parenting or your child is advancing to more competitive levels. Parents who’ve read it consistently mention how it helped them navigate tricky situations and avoid common pitfalls. At 368 pages, it’s comprehensive without being overwhelming, and the conversational style makes it an enjoyable read even during those long tournament weekends.
This practical mental training book gives coaches a powerful resource to help young athletes develop the mindset skills needed to excel under pressure and enjoy their sport more.
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What makes this guide stand out is how it addresses common mental challenges young athletes face. The confidence-building techniques have helped several of my players overcome performance anxiety before big games. You’ll notice attitude improvements within weeks if you consistently work through the exercises.
Many coaching books focus exclusively on drills and tactics, but this one fills the crucial mental side of development. At just over 100 pages, you can read it quickly and start implementing the strategies immediately with your team.
Shopping for hockey coaching essentials doesn’t need to be complicated. This guide will help you select quality items that meet your needs without breaking the bank.
Price doesn’t always indicate quality. Look for gear that balances durability with affordability. Many mid-range options provide excellent performance for most coaching situations.
Higher-end gear typically lasts longer but may not be necessary for casual or youth coaching. Consider how often you’ll use the equipment before investing in premium items.
When selecting whistles, look for ones with clear, consistent tones that can be heard across the ice. Pea-less whistles work better in cold environments since they won’t freeze up.
For whiteboards, choose options with hockey rink templates already printed on them. Ensure they’re truly dry-erase and come with quality markers that won’t permanently stain the surface.
Hockey coaches often work in cold environments. Select gear that can withstand low temperatures without cracking or losing functionality.
Water-resistant stopwatches and clipboards will serve you better through seasons of rink-side humidity and occasional splashes.
Consider how you’ll transport your coaching equipment. Look for items that are lightweight yet durable.
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Weight | Easier to carry between practices |
| Compactness | Takes up less space in your bag |
| Carrying case | Protects equipment and keeps it organized |
Choose gear that fits comfortably in your coaching bag and won’t weigh you down during long practices.
