By Derek Descoteau, Hockey Canada /
Player evaluation is most often thought of with respect to selecting players for a team that will compete in the upcoming season. However, in many cases, what may be overlooked is that most minor hockey associations do not use the player evaluation process as an opportunity to build development plans for players based on individual strengths and needs. Using the evaluation process to place players on teams is just one good outcome, but what you do with players once those selections are made can be another valuable outcome of the process. Whether an association has one team or multiple teams in each category, player evaluation can and should be used as a way of supporting ongoing player development.
Having a solid player evaluation process in place will make the season-long development process much easier. Not only will it give the association a reference point in dealing with parents, it will also give grassroots coaches a starting point to determine a baseline for players’ skills. Knowing the baseline of players’ skills will allow minor hockey coaches to make efficient and effective use of Hockey Canada instructional programs. This in turn will help players, coaches and parents to understand the purpose of a sound skill development program approach.
There are two basic types of evaluations:
Evaluations during pre-season for use in selection of players to teams.
Evaluations during and at the conclusion of the season to provide player progress reports.
After evaluating players in the team selection process, the information should be passed along to team coaches so they can see what the strengths and needs of each player are. This will assist in the implementation of a plan to help develop all players over the course of the season. Posting or distributing the evaluation criteria of the team selection process will help parents understand how players are being evaluated. Whether evaluating players at the beginning of the season, mid-season, or at the end of the season, a great resource for minor hockey association coaches is the Hockey Canada National Skills Standards and Testing (NSST) program.
When should player evaluation sessions take place?
It is important to have a set schedule and be able to inform parents and players as to when sessions will be taking place and what the plan is for future sessions. Aside from team selection during the pre-season, specific player evaluation or testing sessions should take place during the season.
What is being evaluated?
All individual skills should be evaluated. Hockey Canada’s NSST program provides a great framework for this evaluation process.
Who should do the evaluations?
On-ice coaches lead players through the sessions.
Off-ice evaluators who are responsible for evaluating every player on the ice. This is particularly important for team selection.
Off-ice administrators who are responsible for tracking evaluations, contacting players and parents, and scheduling sessions.
For more information on the National Skills Standards and Testing program and other Hockey Canada resources visit the Minor Hockey section of the Hockey Canada website and look for the Skills Challenge tab at www.hockeycanada.ca |
