Post-Season Evaluation Tips

Grow the Game is an excellent resource for coaches, players and parents! 

With year-end team banquets, awards presentations and parties concluding the hockey season, there’s still one important task the coaching staff should consider doing. It’s important for coaches to give their players some feedback as to their on-ice improvement over the entire season and to identify a specific area they can work on during the summer months if they plan on playing at a higher level next fall. This does not have to be a long or complicated process—just some verbal or written feedback on their skill development and team play this past year.

At the same time, coaches should also be asking for feedback from the players (or their parents) as to specific coaching skills and methods. This will help you improve your approach to the game and could offer some valuable advice, ideas and teaching methods for next season. Receiving honest feedback from parents or players—both positive and negative—is a very important development tool for coaching improvement and growth. Try the following questions or develop your own based on the age and skill level of your players.

Scoring system: 1 = low, 5 = average, 10 = excellent

1. Coach’s knowledge of hockey skills, systems and strategy____
2. Ability to teach basic hockey skills and correct errors____
3. Discipline and control of players during games and practices____
4. Attitude toward players____
5. Conduct during games____
6. Communication skills____
7. Ran organized and up tempo practices____
8. Explained game plan for opposing team____
9. Fairness and equal ice time to all players____
10. Motivational skills____
11. Individual skill development of players over course of the season____
12. Team skill development over the course of the season____
13. Team improvement over the course of the season____
14. Team building skills____
15. Rate your child’s improvement over the course of the season____
16. Rate your child’s fun/enjoyment level over the course of the season____
17. Program was: Too competitive • Well balanced • Not competitive enough
18. Suggestions for next season:

The Hockey Made Easy Instruction Manual contains additional tools for skill development, evaluating players skills and coaching methods. Today’s a great time to start learning and improving your hockey skills for next season.

Editor’s Note: Thank you to Hockey Made Easy for these evaluation tips.