Coaching Requirements

Dayton Icehounds Youth Hockey requires all of our coaches to be properly certified and screened in accordance with USA Hockey, Mid-American District, State, and local rules and regulations.

All coaches must wear a HECC certified helmet at all times on the ice. NO EXCEPTIONS!

What are the steps to becoming a certified coach?*

Step 1: Register with USA Hockey. You must choose the Player/Coach option in order to help on the ice. This is an annual registration process. The registration number will be used to register with us.

Step 2: Register with us.

Step 3: Go through the USA Hockey background screening . Background screens must be completed every two (2) seasons. You must have a current season USA Hockey confirmation number to apply for a background screen. Once the screen is complete, the Registrar will be notified.

Step 4: Take the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program. Safe Sport must now be renewed EVERY season by either re-taking the entire Safe Sport Program or by participating in a thirty (30) minute, online renewal course. Confirmation is automatic to the Registrar.

Step 5: Take the NFHS Concussion Course and submit the completion certificate to the Registrar. The Concussion Course must be completed every three (3) years.

Step 6: View the Lindsay's Law training video and read the Lindsay's Law Literature.

Step 7: Register for the appropriate Coaching Education Program (CEP). This is a stair-stepped process that will require a new level each of the first three years. Complete information on the CEP requirements is available on the USA Hockey Website.

Step 8: Take the appropriate USA Hockey online age specific module. Once an age specific module has been completed, it does not have to be repeated. If you will be coaching a different (or multiple) age level, an age specific module will need to be completed for the new (or each of the multiple) age divisions

On-Ice Helpers

Our youngest age levels require a lot of on-ice assistance. While we prefer to have everyone fully certified, there may be occasions where we need some help with the little ones. For those interested in helping out with those age levels, a minimum of steps 1 through 4 -- outlined above -- are required.

We hope that you will have so much fun in these situations that you'll go ahead and become fully certified as your child grows through the program.

USAH Student Coach Regulations

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:

Student Coach Regulations:

• Must attend a training session conducted by the local hockey association. The training session can be created by the association, or the association can use the premade training that is on this page. Student Coach Presentation link provide below.
• Will need to complete Safesport if turning 18 during the year in which they are coaching.
• Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs, and in the locker room.
• May help out at practices, clinics, try-outs only. (May not participate as a player in scrimmages or games when acting as a STUDENT COACH).
• May not act as the head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games.
• May be on the bench during games with an adult. The STUDENT COACH will count as one of the maximum of four Team Officials allowed on the bench.
• Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.
• May only work with players at least one full playing age level down (e.g., a 14U age player may act as a STUDENT COACH at the 12U, 10U or 8U level).
• The organization that is using the 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. A model form can be found by clicking on the link above This form stays with the association. Form link provide below.
• 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.