Too Many Coaches on the Bench? Youth Hockey’s Loudest Problem.
Our Kids Play Hockey
Head Coach Authority and Hierarchy
Hosts stress that the head coach must lead, assistants must follow, and arguments hurt development.
🎙️ Ever felt like there are too many voices on your child’s hockey bench?
This mailbag episode might hit close to home. Lee, Christie, and Mike dive into a letter from a parent-coach navigating a situation many families know all too well — four coaches on the bench, nonstop yelling during games, and a sidelined head coach who isn’t guiding the staff. The result? Chaos, confusion, and kids who don’t know who to listen to.
In this honest and relatable conversation, our hosts unpack:
✨ Why “one voice behind the bench” is crucial for development
✨ How yelling instructions at kids on the ice actually makes them play worse
✨ What great coaching actually looks like at the 8U–10U level
✨ How assistant coaches can support without stepping on toes
✨ Why ego — yes, ego — is at the center of most youth hockey conflicts
✨ Simple steps teams can take this week to restore calm and clarity
✨ Why the best coaches (even in the NHL!) coach through relationships, not volume
Lee also shares personal stories about coaching roles, Christie highlights the importance of communication, and Mike brings real-world experience on how to structure a bench so kids thrive—not freeze.
If you’re a parent, an assistant coach, or the head coach trying to manage your staff… this episode is your playbook. 🏒
👉 Have a question for a future mailbag episode? Send it to team@ourkidsplayhockey.com
We love answering real questions from real hockey families.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: Why One Voice Matters: Fixing Over-Coaching and Bench Chaos in Youth Hockey
🔁 Like the episode? Share it with your team, your coaches, or your hockey board.
Your five-star reviews help the show reach more families who need these conversations.
#youthhockey #hockeyparents #hockeycoaching #hockeydevelopment #ourkidsplayhockey #benchmanagement #coachingtips #positivecoaching
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