What makes a good coach?

[rbkhockey8]

-Winning
if you're doing that something must be going right

[Hockeyguy_27]

Good coaches command respect from their players and have discipline. Also thoroughly know their opponents and prepare their teams accordingly. They figure out how to get the most out of their players, make good bench decisions and create game-plans their teams buy into.

[Cornbread]

Able to teach respect for the game, teammates, refs, coaches, team your playing againsnt, teamwork, play hard, play fair, and then winning as the least important part of coaching.

[D1Scout]

From a coaching standpoint, it's all about identifying with your players. If you've got you're players on board, and believing in you first, then the sky's the limit. On the flip side, if you run things like a drill sergeant...look out, that will certainly come back to haunt you unless you're coaching with big time numbers in your program. What kills a kid the most is when you coach him the same as everyone else. Show the kid that you know his strengths and help him identify his weaknesses while working with him. There are plenty of coaches that are "career killers"...too many kids loose interest and it simply has to do w/the coaching.

Well said HB17.

Be a leader and people will follow.

Treat a player with respect and you'll get respect in return. Communicate with them - don't expect a player to be a mind-reader. Be honest, fair, positive and a good teacher and kids will feel secure and confident in their abilities, be motivated to work hard every time they hit the ice and will be more apt to reach their potential.

Use mind games, be threatening and manipulative and you'll create a player who's insecure and lacking in confidence. That kid will not reach his full potential.