What we all should know.

Things about Travel Hockey that All Parents Need to Know

Your child was developing well in the house hockey league, so much so that he was among the best at his position. Since hockey is his sport and he’s committed to getting better, it was only natural that the next step was trying him out for the local travel team.He made the team for the fall season and things are obviously different than playing house. Not only are his teammates and competition better players, but your son is on the ice three to four times a week as compared to once or twice in the house league. You’re traveling in the car for several hours to away games and you’ll be spending Thanksgiving night in the car to a weekend tournament out of state. Welcome to the life of a travel hockey parent.

Sound like you? Just as your son will be adjusting to the travel hockey game, you’ll also need to adjust to it as well. But don’t fret – there’s a big payoff. Not only will you see your young hockey player improve by leaps and bounds thanks to better coaching, more practice and games and playing against better competition, but you’ll also likely make some great parent friends along the way. With that being said, here’s a look at 5 secrets that all new travel hockey parents need to know:

1. Make Friends

Just as your child will be making new friends with his teammates, you should work to make new friends with their parents. Hockey parents are a tight group, typically always willing to carpool and help each other out anyway they can. So get to know them, pick their brains and be friendly.

2. Commitment is Key

They say that the only difference between a hockey mom and a pitbull is lipstick. Hockey moms – and dads for that matter – are a cut above other sports parents. And they need to be. That’s because being a hockey parent takes a ton of time, effort and commitment, from the 6 a.m. practices to out-of-town tournaments to games that are across the state. Good hockey parents are great team players too, making sure that their child gets to the rink any which way they can. It takes commitment to be a hockey parent – so don’t take a game or practice off.

3. Let Coaches Coach

This isn’t house league anymore, so there’s no guarantee that your child will play as much as the player next to him. But don’t be the parent that’s always lobbying for more ice time from the coach or telling the coach what your son needs work on. Coaches know. Let them coach.

4. Help Your Child Eat Right

As a travel hockey parent, you’re going to be on the go a lot, which might not make for a whole lot of quality meal time. So focus on bringing along good foods that can fuel your child through a game or practice. Stay away from fast food and/or foods that are high in sugar and opt for lean meats, grains, fruits and caffeine-free sports drinks.

5. Make Time For Fun

Travel hockey can be a grind, but you never want it to feel like a chore – both for you and your child. So make sure that it’s still fun. Remember, hockey is a game. Games are supposed to be fun.

Parents

Hockey Parents Make the Difference
and the role you play in sports.

In youth sports the “Team” is much more than just the coaches and the players. The team consists of coaches, players, the many volunteers (team managers, team mom, fund-raising coordinators, etc) and finally, most importantly the parents. Believe it or not, parents play a very important part in the player’s development as a team member and how he/she interacts within the team.

This page has been prepared by USA Hockey to assist parents in becoming more familiar with the sport of ice hockey and its organization and structure at the grassroots level. In this brochure, you will find information designed to enrich the entire youth hockey experience for parents and players alike.

Keep in mind that, above all, the motivating factor for most children who enter an organized youth sports program is their desire to have fun. This is particularly true with young children, many of whom are newcomers to the youth sports scene. With a supportive attitude and a fundamental understanding of the "basics" of ice hockey, everyone will come away from their youth sports experience with a positive feeling.

In The Stands Parents can take the fun out of hockey by continually yelling or screaming from the stands. Parents should enjoy the game and applaud good plays. The stands are not a place from which parents should try to personally coach their kids. Kids often mirror the actions of their parents; if they see mom or dad losing their cool in the stands, they'll probably do the same on the ice.

Car And Home Some parents not only spoil the fun for their kids at the ice rink, but also in the car, believing this is the perfect place for instruction. Parents should try to keep things in perspective. There's more to life than hockey, and the car and home are not places to coach. Parents are responsible for supporting and respecting the coach's decisions and abilities. It is unfair to put children in a position of having to decide who to listen to their parents or the coach.

At Practice Parents should remember that if a child wants to improve, they have to practice not just play. Even if a child is not the "star" player for a team, practice stresses the importance of teamwork, establishing goals, discipline and learning to control your emotions, all of which are important lessons children can use both in and away from sports.

At The Rink Hockey parents can help create a fun environment by making certain their children are wearing properly fitted equipment. Parents also need to stress fair play and risk management to help eliminate injuries.

Initiation Program The USA Hockey Initiation Program has been developed to make certain that a child's first experience with hockey is positive, safe and fun. Parents should avoid pressuring or placing unreasonable expectations on their children, particularly at the Initiation Program level. No matter what happens on the ice, children need your support, so always strive to be positive.

Heads Up Hockey In 1996-97, USA Hockey introduced a national safety and awareness campaign called Heads Up Hockey. Designed to promote a safer, smarter, better style of play, Heads Up Hockey introduces concepts and techniques that will enhance your child's enjoyment of youth hockey. For more information on the Heads Up Hockey program, contact your coach or league administrator. Encourage your child to play Heads Up Hockey.

Support Your Child There are many benefits that are derived from playing youth hockey. Boys and girls learn good sportsmanship and self-discipline. They learn to work together, how to sacrifice for the good of the team, how to enjoy winning and how to handle defeat. In the process, they also learn important lessons about physical fitness and personal health. The degree to which your child benefits from his or her youth hockey experience is as much your responsibility as it is theirs. In order for your child to get the most out of a youth hockey program, it is important for you to show support and offer encouragement while maintaining a genuine interest in the team.

Always Be Positive Parents serve as role models for their children, who often look to adults for advice, direction and approval. Never lose sight of the fact that you are a role model, and strive to be a positive role model. As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is show good sportsmanship at all times to coaches, referees, opponents and teammates. Remember that your children are PLAYING hockey. It is important to allow them to establish their own goals and play the game for themselves. Be careful not to impose your own standards or objectives.

Let The Coach Coach Avoid placing an exaggerated emphasis on winning. A recent survey indicated 72% of children would rather play for a losing team than ride the bench for a winner. The most important aspect of your child's youth hockey experience is for them to have fun while developing physical and emotional skills that will serve them in life. A healthy, risk-free environment that emphasizes the importance of fair play, sportsmanship, discipline and, most importantly, fun will be invaluable for your child as he or she continues to develop a positive self image.

Positive Reinforcement The best way to help children achieve goals and reduce their natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. After all, no one likes to make mistakes. If your child does make a mistake and they will (remember, they're just kids) keep in mind that mistakes are an important part of the overall learning process. Strive to be supportive and point out the things they do well. Make your child feel like a winner.