Student Coaches

The San Antonio Youth Hockey Association has many experienced youth hockey players that wish to give back to the sport by serving as mentors and student coaches for younger players. The association supports this process and hopes our players wish to serve as future coaches.

SAYHA has created a Student Coach Player policy derived directly from USA Hockey regulations. Per USA Hockey, a player between the ages of 13 and 17 who is currently properly registered with USA Hockey may serve as a student coach under the following conditions:

• Must attend a training session conducted by the local hockey association. At this time, review of the powerpoint slides below will meet this requirement,

• Student coaches are not eligible to attend a CEP certification clinic for certification. They may audit a clinic but they do not receive certification credit, nor are they required to pay for the clinic. He/she will need to contact the instructor directly as he/she will not be able to register online due to the age restriction in place,

• Student coaches will need to complete Safesport and Background Screening if turning 18 during the year in which they are coaching,

• Student coaches must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened, adult coach during all practices, clinics, tryouts, and in the locker room,

• Student coaches may help out at practices, clinics, and tryouts only. They may not participate as a player in scrimmages or games when acting as a student coach,

• Student coaches may not act as the head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games,

• SAYHA DOES NOT ALLOW STUDENT COACHES ON THE BENCH DURING GAMES,

• Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice,

• Student coaches may only work with players at least one full age division down from their own (e.g., a 14U age player may act as a student coach at the 12U, 10U or 8U level),

• The organization that is using a student coach must provide a form indicating on what team he/she is participating as a student coach, and, if applicable, what team he/she is properly registered/rostered as a player. This form stays with the association,



• Upon reaching the age of 18, the student coach must comply with the USA Hockey Screening Program and meet the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program requirements which will qualify him/her to act as an assistant or head coach.