Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into the world of youth hockey lately, specifically trying to find a good coach for my nephew, Austin. It’s been a wild ride, let me tell you!
I started by, you know, just googling “youth hockey coaches near me”. Big mistake. Way too much information, and most of it was just general league stuff, not actual coaches.
Narrowing it Down
Then I got a little smarter. I started thinking about what Austin really needed. He’s a decent skater, but his puck handling… needs some love. So I started searching for things like “hockey coach specializing in stickhandling” and “youth hockey skills development coach”. That helped a lot. It filtered out a bunch of the noise.
Checking Credentials (and Vibes)
- First, I looked at their websites (if they had them). Did they seem organized? Did they talk about their philosophy? Did it sound like they actually cared about the kids, or was it all about winning?
- Second, I tried to find any reviews or testimonials. Were parents happy? Were the kids having fun and improving?
- Third and this is probably the most usefull way,I’ve called the coach directly, and asked them my questions and concerns.
It’s been a process, honestly. It is not that easy as imagine. I’ve talked to a few coaches who sounded great on paper, but when I chatted with them on the phone, something just felt…off. One guy was super intense, all about drills and discipline. Austin’s only 10! He needs to have fun, too!
I have listed 3 candidates and I will go to see their training to help me decide,I’m feeling pretty good about one coach in particular, but still not sure.
Finding the perfect coach is tough, and it takes time and effort, so I’m still on my journey.I’ll keep you all posted!
