ACI: A better way to "DO" Hockey.
Family Oriented
Center Ice is a family oriented facility, designed to draw families into the sport; or back into the sport as cases may be.
USA Hockey Program
Center Ice espouses the teachings of USA Hockey and we expect all our coaches to complete the required trainings each year before December 31st.
Resources to grow as a coach
This site provides a resource of practice plans that can be used by each of our coaches.
House, Select and Travel Programs
There is a great need for coaches in all divisions, as well as, all levels. We have House, Select and Travel programs that are competitive every year!
Coaching Certification Process
Welcome to Atlanta Center Ice and our coaching certification information page. Please review the following information and email USAHCoachMarc@gmail.com if you have any questions.
To start the process, USA Hockey and the Coaching Education Program (CEP) require both certification and registration to be eligible to coach. Registration is done online on a yearly basis. Certification is also required. A few basic requirements are as follows:
All USA Hockey requirements must be completed before participating in any team activities
- Register as a member of USA Hockey. (The cost for coaches is $52 plus $8 SAHA Affiliate fee). Click here for more information. Please know that you will receive a second email from "USA-Hockey" with the subject line - "USA Hockey Coaching Information" that will have your login information for the remainder of the process.
- Complete the background screening. This must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities and you cannot be added to a roster until completed. Click here. There is a $30 fee for the background check.
- Complete the USA Hockey Safe Sport Training. This is required every year and must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities. You cannot be added to a roster until completed. Click here for more information.
- Complete the online age-specific module(s) for the age level of play you are coaching. (Cost is $20 for the 6u/8u module all others are $25. All modules only need to be completed once per age level. Must be completed PRIOR to participating in any team activities and cannot be added to a roster until completed).
To access the modules, go to the USA Hockey E-learning Site and click Member Login
- Login to your USAH Profile https://lms.usahockeylearningcenter.com/learn
- Click Coaches —> This is your current level information.
- Please print this page to PDF and send it to me for my records.
- Please also complete the Coaching Information Form so we can enter your information in the spreadsheet
- Find, register and attend the required certification clinic. The Cost is $65. You can only attend one clinic per season and all coaches must enter USA Hockey's Coaching Education Program at the 6U/8U clinic if coaching at the Learn To Play/Learn To Skate/6U/8U classification or Level 1 if they are coaching 10U classification and above. You can take clinics from June 15th-Dec. 15th each season. You should be able to locate clinics within your Coach's Portal. Your current course requirement will be listed on the left side of the screen. Remember, Education Program Certification Clinic Requirements must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024
Once all this is complete
Key things you must know for 2022-2023 and beyond
- If you are a 10U+ coach you must do the next level. A goalie clinic counts as a level upgrade.
- All Level 3 coaches entering their third year can either re-certify or take a Level 4 course by December 31.
- Level 4 Coaches, beginning 2021-2022, must do "professional learning" to re-certify in 2024. There are very few coaches that are grandfathered into Level 4; please check your status in your MY PROFILE page to confirm you are listed as 2099 expiration on your license.
- For more information on Coaching Education Program Requirements visit https://www.usahockey.com/rules
All Center Ice Coaches must be certified through USA Hockey:
- If you will coach 8U you are good at Level 1.
- If you coach 10U or higher you must progress through level 3 on your certifications. Second year Level 3s need to re-certify or attend a level 4 clinic.
- Whether you are coaching house or travel, anyone one on the ice or the bench must be up-to-date on their certification. This is a non-negotiable due to insurance. USA Hockey will not cover any incidents where an uncertified coach is on the ice or bench.
- I know some coaches are frustrated with the coaching clinics, but they are required and do provide consistency in the message we are working to present to our players and parents.
Coaches Information
Links for Coaches
Frequently Asked Questions
House Hockey
House Hockey is an exciting way for kids to learn the game of hockey in a safe and supportive environment. Our program offers small teams, with no more than 10-12 players per team. This allows for more individual attention from coaches and ensures that everyone gets equal playing time. The league also provides professional coaching staff and certified referees, which are important elements of a high-quality hockey experience for youth athletes. House hockey is also very cost effective compared to other hockey programs because it does not require as much equipment or travel expenses. Additionally, the program is designed to be flexible in terms of scheduling so that families can fit their practice and game times around their own family schedules. For these reasons, House Hockey is an excellent option.
The house season begins with on-ice evaluations for all registered house players. These are typically held in August or September. The on-ice evaluations are used to gauge player's skill level and try as best as possible to ensure parity among teams at the start of the year. These are not a try-out; all players attending the evaluations will be placed on a team. The on-ice evaluations are just the start of the house season. After the teams have been drafted, practices will begin and games will be scheduled. Once games commence, team standings become important as teams strive to compete for a place in the playoffs and ultimately, a championship title. It is up to each individual player to take full advantage of their ice times in order to improve their skills and help their team achieve success throughout the year. The players should also use these opportunities as a chance to make friends with teammates who may become lifelong friends down the road. The house season is an opportunity for all players involved to have fun while playing hockey and growing as athletes. Skaters generally are on the ice 2 times per week (depending on the division of play). The ice times will vary - practices will be during the week, and games will be on the weekends.
House Hockey is considered the “development program” and designed to develop kids to travel hockey or high school hockey. The program's goal is to provide a fun, instructional program geared towards teaching hockey foundations in each player’s athletic development. The league sees that its coaches, parents, and players understand and live by fair play and sportsmanship. We believe that the game of hockey teaches physical skills and should teach life skills necessary for our youth to develop into good citizens of our community.
Travel Hockey
The travel hockey program's teams are made up of players from all different skill levels, ranging from beginner to elite. Players who join the league will have access to some of the best coaching and training available. The coaches are certified by USA Hockey and have an extensive background in playing or coaching hockey at a high level. Players can expect to practice on a weekly basis with their teammates, as well as participate in regular scrimmages and games against other teams within the league. This experience helps players further develop their skills while also learning how to work together as part of a team. Additionally, many teams participatein tournaments throughout the season and can travel to different cities for competitions.
We strive to provide players with an opportunity to play competitively at a high level while also learning how to work together as part of a team. The teams are committed to developing the skills of their players and helping them reach their full potential. Travel hockey is a big commitment and requires dedication from both players and families to reach their maximum potential. It also requires a substantial amount of time, commitment, and finances from the player, parent, and extended family members.
We encourage players to be prepared for the tryouts. It is expected that all participants have appropriate playing experience and knowledge of the sport. Players should practice diligently before signing up for tryouts, as those who do not demonstrate satisfactory skills may not advance. It is recommended that players join House Hockey teams to gain more experience in the sport prior to trying out for Travel Hockey. Additionally, we suggest meet with the parents at an informational meeting about our Travel Hockey requirements and expectations before their child participates in tryouts. This way they can make an informed decision on whether or not this level of competition is right for them.
Per USA Hockey, travel programs are classified in the ‘competitive’ category and exist for the player who has the desire and ability for a competitive experience. The competitive classification per USA Hockey for this program states ‘Balance of winning and sportsmanship is stressed, and travel for competition should be reasonable. Team objectives include local league, state and national championships.’ Sportsmanship is partially explained as ‘…exhibiting self-control and not putting too much emphasis on ‘winning-at-all-costs’.
Winning is an important part of the Atlanta Center Ice (ACI) travel hockey program; however, it's not the only important aspect. We understand that in certain situations coaches can and/or will create specialized lineups; however, ACI instructs coaches to attempt to place equal emphasis on developing all players in game and practice scenarios. The balance of competition, development and winning is the ultimate goal.
The ACI travel hockey program focuses on a ‘child first, winning second’ philosophy. By keeping winning in perspective our travel hockey program develops players who enjoy the sport, strive for excellence, are given the opportunity for competitive play and have the chance to risk error to learn and grow. This philosphy requires a deep commitment and self-control by the coaches and parents. Parents, coaches and league officials must be role models for our players by keeping this philosophy in perspective.
If you seek to coach in a program that focuses on winning at all costs over competitive individual and team development, or you seek an environment where players are hindered from developing in a competitive environment and there is no obligation to try to be fair in the overall ice time or game situations, then our travel hockey program is not for you.
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Contact Us About Coaching
Please fill out the form to contact Coach Marc directly. Otherwise, email or call the rink, to learn more about coaching and other Center Ice Programs.
Location:
5750 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Email:
Centericearenaga@gmail.com
Call:
+1 404 549 8425