Looking to improve your child’s hockey skills without needing to wait for the weekly team practice? Consider hiring a hockey instructor!
Also known as a skills coach, a hockey instructor is someone who hosts either one-on-one or group hockey training sessions. These sessions can either focus on a specific hockey skill like skating or shooting, or they can address many hockey skills at once, making your child a well-rounded hockey force to be reckoned with.
However, there are an abundance of hockey instructors ready and available for hire. Of course, you want to get the best training for the cheapest possible price. Yet, it’s hard to tell the difference between hockey instructors because they all offer similar services for a similar cost.
So, how do you know which hockey instructor you should choose? Here are 6 things to consider…
1. Cost
One of the most crucial factors for parents or players looking for a skills coach is the cost.
Many hockey instructors offer package deals that will help you save money. A one-off individual skating session might not seem worth it at $150/h but paying for 10 sessions at $125/h each might save you enough to make you satisfied with the deal.
Hockey instructors also usually offer both individual and group sessions, and the group sessions are usually much cheaper. If you can find a few other parents who are willing to enroll their child in the lessons too, the cost for each player will drastically decrease, allowing everyone to afford more sessions for the future.
Regardless of what your budget is, which type of hockey instruction you’re looking for, or whether you want individual or group sessions, make sure you take your time and shop around. Look at the prices of many different skills coaches in your area, and even those outside of your area, to get an idea of what a reasonable rate is. Then, combine the cost with the information form the rest of the list to find the best possible hockey instructor.
2. Location
When you’re researching different skills coaches, make sure you pay attention to where the skills coach teaches from. Location can make a huge difference when choosing between hockey instructors that have similar prices.
Let’s say there are two popular shooting coaches in your area, Coach A and Coach B. If Coach A costs $125/h and Coach B costs $150/h, then it seems like Coach A is the clear choice. However, Coach A teaches half an hour away while Coach B teaches down the block. Once you consider the extra hour of time and the gas money, you might want to go with Coach B, instead.
A good habit when looking at different hockey instructors is to use Google Maps to check the travel time to each training site. Combine that information with the base cost to get a better idea of where you’ll save the most money.
3. Referrals
One of the best ways to ensure that you’re hiring a good-quality hockey instructor is to ask for referrals. When someone gives you a referral, their own reputation is on the line, so they shouldn’t suggest an instructor who’s anything less than stellar!
You can get referrals from the head and assistant coaches of your child’s team, who likely have many years of experience in the hockey industry and have dealt with many skills coaches. You can also get referrals from other hockey parents who may have hired hockey instructors for their own kids in the past.
4. Reputation
Do your best to avoid instructors who have controversial or negative reputations. When you’re paying so much money for extra hockey instruction, you don’t want to take a chance with an instructor who is known for losing their temper or saying rude things from time to time.
Similarly, look for instructors who are encouraging and motivational. An instructor with a positive attitude can mean a world of difference for your child, which will mean a world of difference for you when your child looks forward to the training sessions instead of complaining about them.
To get an idea about an instructor’s reputation, talk to other hockey parents or the coaches of your child’s team and ask them whether they have any experience with that specific instructor. You can also search online for reviews from parents and coaches who have hired the instructor before.
5. Experience
Generally, the more teaching experience a hockey instructor has, the better quality their instruction will be.
Almost all skills coaches will have a website that contains an “About Me” page or something similar. There, you’ll find a short biography about their childhood, education, playing experience, and coaching experience. Some instructors have even worked with NHL-level or Olympic-level athletes, which should also be advertised on their website.
However, keep in mind that there are some hidden gems to be found among the newest skills coaches, so don’t count them out! Plus, the hockey instructors with the least experience are often the cheapest. Make sure you consider everything on this list to figure out exactly who can help your child the best.
6. Specialty
Make sure you always check which skill a specific instructor teaches—you don’t want to accidentally send your right-winger to a goaltending camp!
Of course, a mistake like that is unlikely, but picking a hockey instructor with a specific specialty is still a big consideration. Even though your child might need improvement in many different hockey skills, their coach should be able to tell you which skill to prioritize.
Before you choose an instructor, consult the team’s coach to find out what type of personal instruction your child would most benefit from. Then, your money will be doing the most work possible.
Choosing the best hockey instructor for your child without any guidance is a daunting task, especially when training sessions can cost so much. But, the 6 factors mentioned above can help you make a clear, well-informed decision about where to best spend your money. Take your time, do your research, and talk to coaches and other hockey parents before choosing an instructor so that you guarantee your child becomes unstoppable on the ice.
