YYHA Program Philosophy
Adopted , 1985
Amended, April, 2006
The Yale Youth Hockey Association was organized to give children aged fourteen years and younger an opportunity to learn hockey skills and to play recreationally and competitively in an organized hockey program. YYHA is open to children of Yale University staff, faculty, students, and alumni/ae and, if space is available, to other children who wish to participate in the type of hockey program YYHA provides.* YYHA is a member of the Connecticut Hockey Conference and part of USA Hockey.
Objectives YYHA has the following objectives:
1. To develop each player's hockey skills to the maximum of his or her own potential;
2. To teach all participants the values of team play and sportsmanship;
3. To provide competitive game play, appropriate to the player's level of ability;
4. To foster enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of hockey for players and their families.
Organization In keeping with its purposes, YYHA provides three program components.
1. Clinic Provides intensive instruction in the fundamentals of skating and hockey. No previous skating or hockey experience is necessary for participation in this program. Clinic players are introduced to team play through scrimmages within the club and controlled games with similar clinic programs. Players remain in the Clinic until ready for placement on an appropriate age-level team.
2. B Program Instruction in individual and team play are the essential components of this program. Major emphasis is placed on player development and participation with lesser emphasis on competitive team play. Teams are organized in four age groups, Bantams (ages 13 and 14), Pee Wees (ages 11 and 12), Squirts (ages 9 and 10) and Mites (ages 8 and under). These teams play approximately 30-40 games, primarily with Connecticut teams. YYHA hosts a B tournament at Ingalls
Rink every other year. On the off years, YYHA will pay for the B teams to participate in another program’s tournament.
3. A Program Individual development and team play are emphasized in a more competitive context. The teams play at least 20 games against other Connecticut Hockey Conference teams and a total of approximately 30-40 games. Teams are organized in four age groups, Bantams (ages 13 and 14), PeeWees (ages 11 and 12), Squirts (ages 9 and 10) and Mites (ages 8 and under). YYHA hosts an A tournament at Ingalls Rink every other year. On the off years, YYHA will pay for the A teams to participate in another program’s tournament.
Tryouts:
During tryouts, YYHA will have evaluators who are not affiliated with individual teams on the ice, observing to help make selections. Team selections will be made on the basis of merit. Final review and any necessary “bubble” discussion will include the individual team head coaches for the A and B teams as well as the Board President or designee. Practice jerseys will be worn during the tryouts. Returning YYHA players are given priority in being placed on some team ahead of transfer decisions.
General Policies
Overall policy for YYHA is established by the Board of Directors in accordance with the by-laws of YYHA, Yale University regulations as well as the by-laws of the CHC. The following general policies represent the traditional philosophy of YYHA. Many of these policies have governed the program for several years.
1. Player Safety. All players must wear approved skating and protective equipment at all practice sessions and games.
2. Insurance. Limited insurance coverage through AHAUS is carried for all players properly enrolled in YYHA.
3. Playing Level. Players are encouraged to play at their age level and not at an older level.
4. Ice Schedule. Ingalls Rink of Yale University is home ice for YYHA. Ingalls Rink traditionally begins service about October 1. Try outs and practice sessions may be conducted at other rinks, but when Ingalls Rink is open, it is preferable for most practices and all YYHA home games to be held on home ice.
Normally, each team including the Clinic, is scheduled for one or two games each week-end. Ideally, B and A teams will be scheduled for a minimum of two skating practice sessions mid-week. Every attempt will be made to avoid serious conflicts with school and study schedules. All practices and games must be scheduled through the designated YYHA officer.
5. Player Development. Player development within the YYHA program is encouraged. We hope to interest beginning players at the Clinic level and provide instruction so that these players eventually form the core of the B and A program teams. YYHA shall endeavor to provide nearly equal ice time for the B and A programs.
6. Commitment. YYHA is a primary commitment program. The CHC does not permit a player to be registered in more than one CHC member program or a High School Program.
7. Game ice time. YYHA seeks to provide each player equal opportunity in practice sessions and games to develop his or her full hockey potential and enjoyment. In particular game situations, when the score and situation dictate, the Coach shall retain the ability over the last five minutes of a game to tailor ice time as needed. It is expected, that over time, other game situations will allow for ice time to be evened out to all players on the team. Recognizing that the program goal remains to advance each and every player in ability and competency on the ice throughout the season, it is expected that each player will experience equitable amounts of ice time in order to accomplish that goal. Repeated missing of practice or discipline issues may result in lost ice time at the discretion of the Coach provided such decisions are consistent with the announced team rules and philosophy.
8. Rosters. YYHA teams (excluding the Clinic) preferably carry a roster of not more than 17 players including 2 goaltenders. Exceptions to this number can be made on a team-by-team basis depending on overall turnout and ability of the group. Returning YYHA players will be given preference for team placement (either A or B) over transfers trying out for the program from other programs.
YYHA players who are released to another CHC program may be readmitted to YYHA if space is 'available within the roster limitation.
9. Coaching. YYHA will select the most qualified coaches and assistant coaches at each level, preferably non-parents as the head coach. The goal is to have a minimum of two coaches on each bench. All coaches will adhere to the YYHA guidelines.
10. Tournaments. At the end of each season YYHA teams normally play either in the appropriate CHC state tournament or the YYHA Invitational Tournament. YYHA teams may play in other out-of-state or overnight tournaments. Tournament participation is planned by the team parents and coaches with a designated officer of YYHA and must be approved in advance by the YYHA Board of Directors. Tournaments are to be selected for their recreational value and their potential to give every team member a positive competitive and social experience. Player participation in these tournaments is strictly voluntary, and every team member who makes a tournament trip should expect substantial game time. YYHA does not pay travel or other expenses for these tournaments. YYHA does not pay fees for these tournaments except for those tournaments played in by A or B teams during the “off” year of the YYHA Invitational Tournament. If a team does not make the CHC playoffs, YYHA will contribute the amount it would have paid for the CHC tournament toward a year-end tournament.
YYH is a non-profit organization formed to provide a healthy, competitive and educational program of recreational and competitive hockey to boys and girls of the South-Central Connecticut Region. Yale Youth Hockey will also find a spot in the program for any children of Yale Affiliates
The degree of competitiveness at which any team plays at will be the result of the combined desires of the players, parents and coaches at Yale Youth Hockey. Participation in away tournaments will be at the option of the team.
It is our philosophy to promote the advancement of youth athletics through hockey by developing teamwork, sportsmanship, respect and camaraderie, while enhancing hockey skills, social development and competition. With that philosophy in mind, the club has established the following goals, to help all its skaters SOAR to success:
Strive to teach the skills and fundamentals of the great sport of hockey
Opportunities to skate more with supplemental skating programs
Atmosphere conducive to fun and competitive play
Respect among all coaches, players and parents
It takes a concerted effort by the parents, players and coaches to achieve these goals. Parents, coaches and players are asked to read the Zero Tolerance Policy, which serves to remind everyone of the standards of conduct expected by YYH.
Coaching standards are established and enforced by the Coaching Committee and Coaching Coordinators.
YYH is operated entirely by parent volunteers for all of its organizational and fundraising operations. Please let us know what we can do better as we continually strive to make the program great.
