Precisely my point, Fangers ... sign a waiver first so that I don't sue your association ... it's all about money and liability.

I agree that accidents will happen. While I was playing D-1 back in the 80's, one of our assistants was standing in the corner and was belted in the chin by a slapper that clipped the post and deflected his way. Sure, there are going to be spills & accidents along the way ... but in my 25+ years coaching, I'd say shin guards are probably more important than wearing a bucket at practice.

Keep up the banter, folks ... love the diversity.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Cleets:
Helemts for coaches, nice ... what's next, cages & mouthguards, full gear? Gimme a break. If a coach is stupid enough to stand where an upper level player is firing at the net, then perhaps he has no business out there coaching to begin with. It's all about liability & money, folks. Helmets for coaches are over-the-top. For those who want to wear them, I say great. For those who know the game, have common sense and can skate, it's ridiculous.

I have seen those coaches who think that helmets are ridiculous come off the ice bleeding and what not. These are experienced coaches that can skate very well and know the game. I suppose if we had coaches that sat along the boards and just barked orders instead of getting in with the kids and showing and explaining things we would have no need for helmets. Althought, even in that case, have you ever lost an edge, or stepped on tape or something while taking a corner with any speed. Accidents happen. I suppose you don't have house insurance either.

Sign the waiver there hoss!

It's easy to defend mandating helmets by citing incidents that have happened.

But where does it stop. We had one of my son's buddies over for dinner he leaned back in his chair and over he went bonking his head pretty good. He was OK and we joke about it now that he should wear a helmet at all times or even have his parents sign a waiver when he has dinner at our house.

Point is all activities have a level of risk and why not just wear helmets all the time, swimming, out drinking, watching a game in the stands, christmas shopping, tennis, walking down stairs and of course soccer. Name the activity and someone has a head injury story.

Interesting discussion and I am sure there are pros and cons each way. I work mainly with the goalies and like to be in close enough to talk through things without having to yell. I have always been more worried about taking one to the face that comes off the goalie or the post.

I am sure that most have already seen this, but USA Hockey is now MANDATING helmets for coaches. NO CHOICE starting next year.

As soon as eating at the dinning room table moves to the ice surface you'll have a valid point. Until then, there is absolutely no good reason for not wearing a helmet. frankly, the should require it at ALL public sessions as well.

quote:

Originally posted by railscoach:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Coach Cleets:
Helemts for coaches, nice ... what's next, cages & mouthguards, full gear? Gimme a break. If a coach is stupid enough to stand where an upper level player is firing at the net, then perhaps he has no business out there coaching to begin with. It's all about liability & money, folks. Helmets for coaches are over-the-top. For those who want to wear them, I say great. For those who know the game, have common sense and can skate, it's ridiculous.

USA Hockey mandates ALL coaches at ALL levels wear USA Hockey approved hekmets. If you are hurt on the ice without a helmet on, it' your butt and then the association's butt for letting you on the ice or in the players area without the proper gear.
From USA Hockey:

In June 2006 at the USA Hockey Annual Congress it was voted upon and approved to require all USA Hockey coaches to wear a helmet for all practices and coach supervised scrimmages where coaches are on the ice.

This includes Cross-Ice games were the coaches and teams do not use the standard team boxes.

Coaches are not required to were helmets while on the bench during games when the standard team boxes are used.

The Helmet must have current HECC certification.



USA HOCKEY COACHING PROGRAM
During the 2006 Annual Congress, USA Hockey's board of directors passed new legislation mandating that all coaches and instructors wear helmets during on-ice sessions. The complete legislation, effective at the start of the 2006-07 season, reads as follows:
All ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey Youth/High School, Disabled, Girls'/Women's 19 & Under and below programs must properly wear an ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and coach and referee clinics (seminars).
"Every year there are injuries to coaches that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet," USA Hockey President Ron DeGregorio said of the change in policy. "This legislation represents a positive step forward for the safety of our coaches."
USA Hockey is committed to making the sport of ice hockey as safe as it can possibly be, and is constantly working on ways to make the sport safer. The links below can provide you, the coach, with valuable information regarding managing and preventing injuries.