CEP Level 3 Manual - Rushmore Hockey Association

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T SChapter 1Player Selection and EvaluationOBJECTIVES• Developing different evaluation methods• Designing outline for tryout sessions• Assigning evaluators responsibilities for player evaluation• Developing a plan for releasingInitial Consideration in Developing a PlayerSelection PlanIn most youth hockey situations, coaches arefaced with the task of choosing from a large pool ofplayers to fill a limited number of positions on ateam. Coaches are usually expected to completethis task in a relatively short period of time.Therefore, it is very important for the coach to beorganized in advance with a plan for the playerselection process. To properly develop this plan, thecoach must take into consideration a number ofsignificant factors. The answers to the followingquestions will assist the coach in designing the mosteffective player selection plan.How Many Players will Attend the Team Tryouts?Ideally, there should be some form of preregistrationso that the coach can be given acomplete list of players in advance of the first tryoutsession. This may not always be possible and, thus,a coach may have to be prepared to make some lastminute adjustments for the initial session. Having areasonable estimate of how many players will attendwill greatly assist the coach in deciding how to usethe available ice time. For example, it may beunrealistic to plan for a 30 minute scrimmage ifthere are only 22 players. On the other hand, anumber greater than 50 may require splitting intotwo separate groups for the first few sessions.How Much Ice Time is Available?The amount of ice time available for the try outsis another important consideration. Knowing howmuch time you have to get down to the final teamwill affect not only the content of the individualtryout sessions but also the timeline for the releaseof players. The norm in youth hockey is a relativelybrief tryout period with about five to eight hours ofice time. Thus, the coach must plan the tryoutsessions to be as efficient as possible.How Many Players Do You Plan to Keep?Obviously you must determine in advance thedesired make-up of your team. Do you plan to keep12 or 17 players on a team? Nevertheless, in youthhockey you must consider how many players youcan effectively use in games to ensure they receivesufficient opportunity to play. Very little benefit willbe gained by marginal players who see limited icetime. You have a responsibility to play the playersyou choose.Role of the Coach | 3