Southwest Eagles Youth Hockey Association

Our primary focus is skater development:  fundamental skills, conceptual development, sportsmanship and respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, officials, parents and off-ice officials.

• USA Hockey Coaching Materials: link
• USA Hockey ADM: link

Association Coaching and Education Director

USA Hockey requires all affiliated associations to have a Association Coaching and Education Director.  "The ACE Director is an experienced individual with a strong coaching background who serves as the administrative link to USA Hockey and its Coaching Education Program (CEP). In their role, Association ACE Directors organize and manage CEP requirements, assist the local association in the development of a well-trained coaching staff, promote parent education and provide clear goals and objectives for player skill development." At Southwest, the ACE Director is also the chair of the SWE Coaches’ Committee.

webpage:  USA Hockey ACE Program

The Coaches Committee is comprised of area coaches with significant coaching and playing experience. They develop and recommend our association coaching policy, conduct interviews for assigning coaches, and hold disciplinary hearings when necessary. The Coaches Committee also sets player development skills standards, works to maintain a consistent coaching philosophy, and maintains a library of coaching manuals, drill books, and videos.

Information regarding the coaching application and selection process, and USA Hockey registration is available at:

• Coaching at Southwest:  Developmental and Recreational Programs (Learn to Play, U6 X-Ice, Mite RWB, Squirt Rec, Peewee Rec)
• Coaching at Southwest:  Tier 2, Div 1 programs (A/B/C teams)

All coaches are required to participate in the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program (CEP).  There have been significant changes for the 2011-2012 season.  A summary of the new requirements and a schedule of clinics is provided at:

• Coaching Certification (All Coaches)

Please contact the Association Coaching and Education Director or a member of the Coaches' Committee if you have any coaching concerns, comments, or questions (positive feedback and compliments are appreciated and are also considered during future coaching assignment selections). The Coaches Committee will be thorough and respectful when investigating any complaints. Please keep in mind that anonymous complaints are typically much more difficult to resolve.  

Coaches, like players and parents, are bound by the SWE Code of Conduct policies. Please contact the Board of Directors, if you feel a coaching code of conduct violation has occurred.   Code of Conduct infractions will be addressed via the process outlined in the Parent Handbook.

1. Must always be under the supervision of a carded, screened adult coach during all practices, clinics, try-outs, and in the locker room.
2. 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).
3. May not act as the head coach or an assistant coach during practices or games.
4. 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.
5. Must wear a helmet with full face shield, gloves, and skates while on the ice. Must wear helmet during games while on the bench.
6. May only work with players at least one full playing age level down (e.g., a Bantam age player may act as a STUDENT COACH at the Pee Wee, Squirt or Mite level).
7. A Student Coach Application Form must be completed and submitted to the ACE Director.
8. Student Coach Form
9. 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.
10. All Student Coaches (18 years of age and under) are required to fill out a Student Coach Application
11. Student coaches need to be a positive addition to the practice environment; they are on the ice to help, not for extra ice time. 
12. Whether student coaches are welcome to help with practices or games, and the number of student coaches on the ice for practices is the head coach’s prerogative.  All student coaching applications are subject to the final approval of the head coach and/or coaching staff for which the student coach will be helping. We need to ensure that there is a suitable number of coaches available to supervise, space available for the student coach, and willingness and ability of the coaching staff to supervise the student coach's involvement. Our first and foremost consideration is to ensure a positive environment for the skaters participating in the program.