How to prepare for hockey season

Before the season starts

If you are a coach, this list also works as a handout for families.

Hockey has more moving pieces than many youth sports: ice time, gear, early practices and a lot of driving. A little planning before the first session makes the season far smoother. Dates, fees and schedules vary by league, so use your club's information as the source of truth.

1. Register and read the welcome email. Note the required gear, any membership or registration rules, and where to find the schedule.
2. Get the gear fitted. See the youth hockey equipment checklist. Try everything on early, because ice time is wasted when gear does not fit.
3. Visit the rink. Find the parking, the entrance, the locker room rules and the bench or viewing area.
4. Get your child on the ice. If skating is new, open public skate sessions or learn-to-skate programs are a gentle first step.

The first practice

• Arrive early. Dressing in full hockey gear takes longer than most parents expect, especially the first few times.
• Pack water, spare tape and a towel.
• Label everything with your child's name.
• Expect lots of skating basics: balance, stopping, falling and getting back up. Falling is a skill in hockey.
• Tell the coach about any worries, such as a fear of falling or an injury history. Coaches see nervous beginners every year, and a quick word helps them support your child from the first shift.

Tryouts and evaluations

Some leagues place players by ability, and others place everyone who signs up. If your child is trying out, it is usually a series of skating and puck drills, and sometimes a short scrimmage. Remind your child to be ready, to listen to the coach and to try hard. Placement systems differ, so ask how decisions are made. The goal at young ages is learning and enjoying the game. Whatever the result, remind your child that the coach is looking at effort and attitude as much as skill, and that many players improve a great deal over a season.

A game-day routine

1. Pack the bag the night before and check it against a list.
2. Eat a normal meal a few hours ahead and bring water.
3. Arrive at the time the coach requests, which is usually well ahead of the ice time.
4. After the game, take gear out of the bag to dry, particularly skates, pads and gloves.
5. Talk about what your child enjoyed before talking about the score.

Injury prevention basics

This is general information and not medical advice. Ask your coach or your child's doctor about anything specific.

• Make sure helmets, face protection and mouthguards fit and are in good condition.
• Encourage a warm-up and a cool-down at practices.
• Keep your child hydrated and rested, and make sure they have days off from the sport.
• Teach your child to tell a coach if something hurts or if they feel dizzy or unwell after a fall or hit. Do not let a child play through concerns. Report them, and follow the advice of a doctor and your league's return-to-play policy.
• Follow the rules about contact and play fair. Respect for opponents is part of safe hockey.

Supporting from the stands

Cheer for everyone, leave the coaching to the coach and treat referees with respect, since many are young or volunteers. The season will bring early mornings and late nights, but it also brings plenty of great memories. Build in quiet time at home, plan meals around ice times and share the driving with other families if you can. Keeping the rhythm calm helps children enjoy the game and arrive ready to learn. To follow the action better, read hockey rules for beginners and hockey terms for new parents.