Information for Coaches, Tyke Festival, 2011-2012 (West London Minor Hockey)

This Tournament is part of the 2011-2012 season, which is not set as the current season.
PrintInformation for Coaches

Instructions for

Coaches and Managers - 2012 


THANK YOU for participating in the 10th Annual West London Tyke Fun Festival.  It couldn’t work without you and we appreciate the fact that you’re here! 

Remember.  This event is for the kids.  It’s not about coaching and it’s not about winning.  It’s all about fostering a FUN environment for the kids.  So relax and enjoy yourself with the kids and let the game results be secondary.

Although the general philosophy for this Tyke Fun Festival is to keep things simple, there are some important pieces of information that you need to know up front.   Please see the skills competition section for an important deadline and review all of this information prior to the tournament.

Injured Players – Plan in Advance!!

  • If you don’t have a certified trainer, ask the other team before the game if theirs will attend to any player injuries that occur on your team.

  • Remember that the Arena Staff are all trained in First Aid and know what to do in the event of serious injury.

  • Remember, do not move an injured player, unless he or she is choking or not breathing.  You can do significant damage by moving a seriously injured player.

Beginning of Each Game – Read Carefully

We’ve decided to go with a unique format at the start of the hockey games.  It is intended that this will be a fun twist and will make the kids feel line “real NHL players”.  WE NEED THE COACHES TO HELP ORGANIZE THEIR PLAYERS TO MAKE THIS WORK!  Each game will begin as follows:

  • 1st buzzer – all players get into the players bench except for the 4 selected for the relay race (see instructions below for relay race

  • 2nd buzzer - all players are to line up on the blueline, facing the other team’s goal

  • O’Canada will be played (1.5 minutes)

  • Shake hands at the completion of O’Canada

  • Game on !! 

Relay Race – IMPORTANT!!

Every coach is responsible for helping to make this part of the process work efficiently

  • When the first buzzer is sounded, please have all of your players get into the players bench, with the exception of four players that you have selected to run the 4 player relay race

  • Line up your four players on the boards, with the front of the line at the RED LINE.

  • Get a stopwatch from the scorers booth and test it to make sure you know how it works.  Clear it to begin timing.

  • The opposing team will be on the RED LINE as well, going in the same direction (which means they will be facing the opposite end)

  • On the whistle, start your stopwatch. 

  • Your first player should skate around the entire rink as fast as they can.  While they are skating around the rink, line up the next player in your team’s line to get read for the “tag”

  • The first player must touch the glove of the next player before that second player goes.

  • All four players race around the course.  MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PLAYERS KNOW that they should get up and continue to race, even if they fall down.  Make sure that you complete the race as a team as your total race time is required.

  • When the last player passes the red line, stop the watch and proceed to the scorer’s booth.  Tell the scorers your team name and the time of the race.  They will record it on the game sheet.

  • After the race, a second buzzer will sound.  Your team should come out of the players’ bench and stand on the blue line for Oh Canada.

  • COACHES ARE REQUIRED TO USE A DIFFERENT GROUP OF FOUR PLAYERS FOR EACH 4 PLAYER RELAY RACE UNTIL EVERYONE ON THE TEAM HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.   After that, coaches can chose whoever they like to run the relay race.  Please spread it out as best you can.  It is recommended that if your numbers are such that players have to race more than once, that you do not race the players who will be participating in the Thursday evening skills competition a second time.  This way, players who are not participating in the skills on Thursday evening will get more opportunity to race.

    Score Clock

  • Games will include two 10 minute periods – the third period will be limited by a curfew clock, and will tick down from 20 minutes.  In all cases, the curfew clock will limit game times.
  • Time will be stopped for all whistles.
  • The clock will be stopped and the buzzer will be sounded every 2 minutes to allow for a shift change
  • FAIR PLAY is required.  You must spread playing time equally amongst your players.  Failure to do so, that is witnessed by the Tournament Convenor, will deem that team ineligible to win the tournament (disqualification).
  • Note that the score clock will discontinue awarding goals to a team if the score begins to “run-up” in favour of one team (no greater differential than 5 goals).  The score sheet, however, will record all goals.
  • Teams WILL NOT change ends after each period

Game Sheets – IMPORTANT 

 

  • HOME teams have game sheets in their packages. Fill them out and get them to the Visiting Team 15 minutes before the game.   At least one coach must have a Speak Out number on the game sheet. 
  • The VISITING team is responsible for giving the game sheet to the referee at the beginning of the game.
  • All game sheets are to be signed by coaches and referees.  It is the HOME TEAM’s responsibility to make sure that these signatures are on the game sheet.  Failure by either team to sign the sheet may render that team with 0 points for the game and all periods.
  • It is the HOME TEAM’S responsibility to return the game sheet to the central office at Kinsmen Arena so that the tournament score sheet can be updated.  Thanks!! 

Referees

  • Games will be played with a referee.

  • Referees will be instructed to:

    • Stop play when the puck is covered, leaves the playing surface, or following a goal. 

    • Face-offs, at centre ice will follow each goal.

    • Face-offs at centre ice will follow 2 minute shift changes.

    • When the whistle is blown at any other time, the referee will pick up the puck and toss it into the corner of the ice.

    • 2-line passes, and icing will not be called (to keep the game moving).  HOWEVER, OFFSIDE WILL BE CALLED IN THE ADVANCED DIVISION. There will be no whistle on an offside, the referee will instruct the offending team to clear the zone only.

    • In the advanced Division, referees will be instructed to call what appear to be deliberate penalties.  If in the referee's opinion, the player knowingly and intentionally broke the rules (i.e., tripping or body contact), that player will be sent to his or her team bench.  The affected team will not be able to replace that player for the balance of the two minute shift.  At the start of the next shift, the team may again put five players on the ice, the player with the infraction is not eligible to be part of the next five players.  It is expected that the coaches of that player will talk to him/her while on the bench about the nature of their actions on the ice and will stress that they need to play fair and safe.

 

Coaches on the Ice

  • One coach from each team will be allowed on the ice in the Beginners Division and none in the Advanced Division.
  • All coaches MUST HAVE HELMETS ON when they are on the ice.
  • Coaches are to get players organized for the relay race at the beginning of the game.
  • Coaches are also asked to help line the players up for face-offs.
  • Beyond this, we ask that coaches on the ice refrain from yelling instructions to kids.  You are only there to help them line up, and NOT there to give them instruction or assistance in playing the game
  • Thanks for following this request!

Sweater Conflicts - IMPORTANT 

Efforts have been made to avoid any sweater conflicts.  However…..

  • Please look at the opposing team’s sweater prior to the game.  If there is a conflict, the home team should consult with a tournament representative (at the Tournament Office) to resolve the issue 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE GAME.   This gives us time to get alternate sweaters.

  • Alternate sweaters will be provided in these situations.  The Home team will be required to change sweaters.

Tournament Scoring
Scoring in both Beginners and Advanced will be as follows:

  • 2 points will be awarded for a game win
  • 1 point will be awarded for a game tie
  • 0 points will be awarded for a game loss
  • 1 points will be awarded for each period win
  • 0.5 points will be awarded for each period tie
  • 0 points will be awarded for each period loss

Therefore, the maximum number of points that could be awarded for one game is 5 points (eg. if a team won both the game and all three periods).  Make sure that the game sheet shows goals by period!!!  We need it.  In the event that the game sheet does not show goals by period, we will assume a tie for each period.

Tournament Format

Beginner Division:
Each team will play 3 games in the Round Robin format with two pools (A&B).  After that, teams will be ranked according to points and will play as follows: 

Bronze Final – 6th in Pool A v. 6th in Pool B
Silver Final – 5th in Pool A v. 5th in Pool B
Gold Final – 4th in Pool A v. 4th in Pool B
Diamond Final – 3rd in Pool A v. 3rd in Pool B

The top 4 teams will play the Platinum Championship Semi-final game (1st in Pool A v. 2nd in Pool B and 1st in Pool B v. 2nd in Pool A) with the winners of the semi final games going on to the Platinum Championship Final.

 

Advanced Division:
Each team will play 3 games in the Round Robin format with 2 pools (A&B).  After that, teams will be ranked according to points and will play as follows:

Bronze Final – 6th in Pool A v. 6th in Pool B
Silver Final – 5th in Pool A v. 5th in Pool B
Gold Final – 4th in Pool A v. 4th in Pool B
Diamond Final – 3rd in Pool A v. 3rd in Pool B

The top 4 teams will play the Platinum Championship Semi-final game (1st in Pool A v. 2nd in Pool B and 1st in Pool B v. 2nd in Pool A) with the winners of the semi final games going on to the Platinum Championship Final. 

Tie-Breaker System

To break any ties that result from the Round Robin format (both Beginners and Advanced), the following system will be employed:

  1. Team that was the winner in head-to-head competition between tied teams (total points – game & periods)
  2. Team with the greatest goal differential (goals for minus goals against)
  3. Team with the lowest goals against.
  4. If teams are still tied after the first 4 tie breakers, the tie will be decided by a coin toss.

A tie in the Platinum Semi-Final or Platinum Championship game will be broken using a shoot-out:

  1. Each coach in the Platinum Semi-final or Platinum Championship Game must indicate on the game sheet 3 players that will participate in the Shoot-out if it is necessary.
  2. Teams will alternate shots with the first shot will be determined by a coin toss.  The winner of the coin toss can decide whether they want to go first or last.
  3. Once each of the three players for each team has shot, the team with the most number of goals wins. 
  4. If still tied after the first three players from each team have shot, it becomes a sudden death format.  Each team will choose 1 player that has not already shot to go next.  A winner will be determined when one team scores and the other does not in that round.
  5. No player can be repeated until all players have shot once.
  6. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GOAL DIFFERENTIAL WILL BE CAPPED AT 7 GOALS PER GAME.  THIS IS TO PREVENT TEAMS FROM RUNNING UP THE SCORE AGAINST WEAKER TEAMS.  PLEASE DO NOT EMBARRASS ANOTHER TEAM IF YOU ARE STRONGER – AS YOU CAN APPRECIATE, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEED TEAMS IN A TYKE TOURNAMENT AND MISMATCHES MAY OCCUR.

Trophies and Ribbons  
  • Trophies will only be awarded to finalists and champions for each division
  • Tim Hortons medallions will be available and should be awarded to everyone on your team and should be given to each player AT THE END of the tournament.  Please do this in the dressing room – announcing each players name and asking them to walk to the front of the dressing room.  Unfortunately, we do not have extra ice time to present medallions on the ice.

Charlie Hustle Award 

Each coach has been provided with Charlie Hustle pucks per game for each player not participating in the skills competition

The coach is responsible for awarding the pucks to his/her own team after EACH GAME for the Charlie Hustle Award.

  • This award is given to the players that shows the most hustle during the game

  • Please note, this has nothing to do with skill, goals, assists, sportsmanship or impact on the game.  It only relates to the player who shows the most hustle – ie. tries the hardest within his/her abilities

  • Please let the players know about this award prior to each game.  Let them know that anyone can win it if they hustle.

  • The award should be given in the dressing room immediately following the game!  Please give the Charlie Hustle pucks to kids who are not in the skills competition as they will be receiving separate recognition for that.

 SKILLS COMPETITION  


Attached are instructions for the skills competitions.  Each team must enter 5 players:

 

1 Fastest skater

1 Puck handler race

2 Breakaway shooters

1 Goalie

You must choose your five players in advance and send your list via email to Geoff Moore  [email protected] by March 12th .

Teams generally enter their best players for this event, but it isn’t necessary.    

ONLY THOSE PLAYERS PARTICIPATING ARE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT.  THERE ISN’T ENOUGH PARKING OR VIEWING SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE FULL TEAMS ATTENDING TO WATCH.

KIDS STUFF

Loot Bags

  • Each team has been given a complimentary bag of goodies for each participant, including a T-Shirt for each player.  Please give them to the kids at the beginning of the tournament so they can wear them on Thursday and Friday.  Also, the loot bag contains a “grab bag” coupon for the hockey card vendor.  Make sure your kids know they need to redeem these from the hockey card vendor during the tournament.

Silent Auction and Vendors 

  • To make this tournament viable, we are fundraising through a silent auction.  There are many great items.  Please ensure that everyone on your team knows about the auction and participates if possible.  Feel free to tell others about the silent auction so that they can show up to see your team play and submit a bid for these great items.
  • Action Cards Sports Photography is on hand with great action shots of all the kids!  Don’t forget to check this out.

Programs

  • High quality programs are given to each participant (in their loot bag).  Extra programs are available for purchase for $2.  These include team rosters and are a great keepsake from the tournament.  Extra programs can be purchased at the main registration desk.

Adult and Extra kids t-shirts

If you are interested in ordering an adult or extra kids tyke tournament t-shirt for siblings, please email Tabitha Matthews [email protected] by March 12, 2012.  The cost for these shirts is $12.  Note, each player gets a free shirt.

Thanks again for participating in our tournament.  On behalf of the Tournament Organizing Committee, we appreciate your attendance!

Sincerely,

Jack Falls
West London Tyke Fun Festival Convenor