Navigating Fairness in Hockey Tryouts - Striving for an equitable process for all players

Every year, as tryouts come to an end and players head into a well-deserved summer break, a familiar murmur of 'the process wasn't fair' reverberates through the stands. But what if the real challenge isn't fairness itself, but the perception of it?

Introduction: The Fairness Dilemma

After completing another tryout season, I've engaged with several associations, each with its unique vision, strategy, and goals. Despite all their diligent planning, the sentiment of "the process wasn't fair" often reverberates through arena stands and parking lots. Assuming none of the volunteers running these programs woke up with malicious plans to purposely disrupt hockey associations, what can be done to ease this noise and dissatisfaction. Interestingly enough, I didn't hear complaints of fairness from players who make the team.

The Reality of Tryouts: A Coach’s Perspective

Apologies for the generalities, but here's a typical tryout scenario from a coach's perspective. For most minor hockey teams, the aim is to select 9 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goalies. Typically, 5-6 forwards and 3-4 defensemen clearly stand out for their potential, and at least one goalie looks like a strong pick. Beyond that, it becomes less clear. The 9-11 players who appear strong usually don't raise concerns; it's the remaining 6-8 that create friction.

So how can a coach and association ensure everything is done "fairly" for those last 6-8 spots when the competition is so close?

Ultimately, it's up to the coach and the traits that matter to them (e.g., effort, strong skating, hitting the net). Not all coaches will agree, and as humans, they will have different factors that matter to us. This is where players have the chance to do positive things to make the team, while negative actions can leave them on the outside looking in.

Please feel free to check out a past article with more details on this topic (https://www.smalltowncoach.com/post/part-iii-surviving-hockey-tryouts-guide-to-help-players-navigate-the-challenges), but being top of mind right now that top three things I hear coaches say made the difference for them are;

• Bring the energy

• Be positive and display leadership

• Do the little things better than everyone else

An example of a recent request for fairness at tryouts…

I assisted an association in evaluating a player returning to their home center after not making the AAA they played with in the previous season. Uncertain if they'd fit their AA team based on early tryout assessments by volunteers and the coach they reached out for neutral evaluators. At the third of four skates, with around 30 players remaining, I observed an intersquad game. Beforehand, I wasn't informed who the player in question was. During the game, one player (let's call him Yellow 33) displayed solid high end hockey skills (not top 5, but noticeable for sure) but this was accompanied by concerning behavior, such as slamming his stick when teammates made mistakes and questioning calls made by the ref. On one occasion, Yellow 33 took an unnecessary penalty, and while continuing their complaining to the ref, gave up on the play, and all the negative commotion led to an opponent's goal as this player stopped playing. I'm sure you see where this is going and yes, that was the player I was there to evaluate. Brought the energy for sure, didn't display actions of a leader and struggled doing the little things better than others. So if the above difference makers were to be scored for this player, that would be a 1 out of 3.

I did not select this player for the team based on my assessment, which was shared by the other neutral evaluators. I found out a few weeks later that this player did not make the team. Players and parents did not agree.

Despite the association's best attempts for a "fair process", that included 4 tryout evaluations, 2 skills based sessions and 2 games, and going to the extent of involving three neutral evaluators, the player's family insists it was an unfair process and that the player deserved a spot based on where he played the season before. They believe the player shouldn't have had attend tryouts at all. While they see it as fair, others may not agree.

Common Concerns and Misconceptions

I do enjoy hearing from people around the rinks, and enjoy speaking with players and families to hear their thoughts. Over the past several weeks I've assisted a variety of associations, I've been planning this article and asking people what they think can make tryouts "fair". Here are some of the actions people have suggested could assist;

• Use neutral evaluators pick the team.

• Have only the head coach pick the team.

• The association should select the team.

• Tryouts should be all about drills.

• Tryouts need more games.

• Teams need to make sure they have at least 5 evaluators.

• Too many evaluators, should only have 2 or 3

• Games in tryouts should only be with other centers.

• Base decisions on where they played last year.

• Don't focus on history, how did they perform at tryouts.

• The drills need to be about fundamentals.

• The drills need to be about hockey sense and IQ.

• Tryouts need to be short with only 1 or 2 skates

• Tryouts need to be longer, at least 5-6 skates.

• Don't appoint coaches until after the team is selected.

• Only invite 20-25 players who are likely to make the team.

• Not committing to any players before tryouts.

All of the above are great comments and have their place, but I'm open to suggestions on how you take those recommendations and come up with ONE plan that will appease 100% of players and parents during tryouts.

The evaluation of fairness is in the eyes of the beholder, and to the extent something is viewed as fair, is often decided based on outcome.

Here is the reality, the balance of which those preferences above appeal to every individual is different, and is often the preferred is the one that tips the scales in direction of your player. And that's ok, your job as a parent is to be their number one fan, but you can't question "fairness" just because the outcome doesn't meet your expectations.

To remind everyone of what I'm sure all parents have said to their child at some point - life isn't fair. One of the best lines I've heard in a rink when things don't go as planned "Don't be bitter, be better".

Strategies for Fairness in Tryouts

So as I mentioned in the intro, the real challenge isn't fairness itself (because introducing all the above factors would be impossible), but let's rather focus on steps that can not just lead to an improved perception, but tangible improvements and consistencies.

All that being said - I totally agree coaches, and associations can improve. Here are the key points to consider that may improve the tryout process:

Preparation of coaches: Associations should set their coaches up for success by ensuring the selection criteria are aligned with the values and goals of the association, while fostering a cohesive approach to wholistic player development. Clear communication of these criteria is essential, and coaches need to be involved in both short-term and long-term development planning to provide a clear framework and expectations for selecting and developing players. Providing coaches with standardized evaluation forms and tools helps ensure consistency in assessments. Additionally, offering training sessions and workshops on objective evaluation methods and effective communication can enhance coaches' abilities to apply the criteria fairly. Assigning experienced evaluators or mentors to work alongside coaches during tryouts can offer valuable guidance and feedback, promoting a fair and comprehensive evaluation process. Encouraging regular feedback and making necessary adjustments based on this feedback can further enhance fairness and effectiveness. By fostering a positive and supportive environment, associations can ensure coaches feel confident and empowered to make informed decisions, ultimately leading to a more equitable tryout process.

Transparency: Transparency is crucial in ensuring a fair and smooth tryout process. Hockey associations can help coaches by clearly communicating the tryout process and criteria to all participants and their families well in advance. This includes providing detailed information on what skills and attributes will be assessed, how evaluations will be conducted, and the timeline of the tryout process. Associations can hold pre-tryout meetings or information sessions to explain the process and answer any questions, ensuring everyone involved understands what to expect. Providing written materials, such as guidelines and evaluation forms, can further reinforce this understanding. Additionally, associations should be open about the selection criteria and how decisions will be made, which helps to demystify the process and reduce perceptions of bias. Regular updates throughout the tryouts can keep everyone informed of their status and next steps. By fostering an environment of openness and communication, associations build trust and credibility, making the tryout experience more positive and transparent for all involved.

Objective Evaluation Criteria: Developing specific, measurable, and objective evaluation criteria for assessing players' skills and abilities is crucial in reducing bias and ensuring fairness in the selection process. Objective criteria provide a clear and standardized framework for evaluators to follow, which minimizes the influence of personal preferences or subjective opinions. These criteria can include quantifiable measures of key skills such as skating, puck handling, shooting accuracy, and game awareness. By focusing on tangible performance metrics, coaches can make more informed and impartial decisions.

Hockey associations can support coaches by providing training on how to implement and utilize these evaluation criteria effectively. They can also develop standardized evaluation forms and tools that align with the association's values and goals. Additionally, associations can facilitate workshops and seminars to help coaches understand the importance of objectivity and how to consistently apply these standards across all tryout sessions. By offering resources and continuous support, associations ensure that coaches are well-prepared to conduct fair and unbiased evaluations, ultimately fostering a more transparent and equitable tryout process.

Preparing Evaluators: Assigning impartial evaluators to assess players during tryouts is essential for ensuring a fair and objective selection process. To maintain impartiality and consistency, evaluators should not have personal connections to the players, such as being a relative, past coach or close friend.

Hockey associations can help coaches by identifying and training a pool of qualified evaluators. This can include organizing workshops and training sessions to ensure that all evaluators are well-versed in the association's specific evaluation criteria and understand how to apply them consistently. Additionally, associations can develop a standardized evaluation framework and provide tools, such as detailed assessment forms, to guide evaluators in their assessments. By establishing a structured and uniform approach to evaluations, associations can help mitigate biases and ensure that every player is judged on their merit and performance. Furthermore, rotating evaluators across different teams and tryouts can help maintain objectivity and prevent any potential conflicts of interest, thereby upholding the integrity of the selection process.

Equal Opportunity: Providing equal opportunity for all participants to showcase their skills and abilities during tryouts is crucial for fostering a fair and inclusive environment. This means ensuring that every player, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, has the same chance to demonstrate their talents and be evaluated on their merit.

Hockey associations can help coaches by establishing clear policies and practices that promote equal opportunity. This includes ensuring that tryouts are accessible to all players, such as scheduling multiple sessions at different times to accommodate varying schedules and providing necessary equipment or resources to those who might not afford them. Associations should also implement standardized evaluation criteria that focus solely on players' performance and potential, removing any personal biases or preconceptions.

Training coaches and evaluators on diversity, equity, and inclusion can also help reduce unconscious bias and ensure that all players are judged fairly. Additionally, associations can monitor and review the tryout process to identify and address any instances of favoritism or discrimination. By creating a transparent and equitable tryout system, associations can help ensure that every player has a fair chance to succeed and contribute to the team.

Conclusion: Striving for Better

In summary, the concept of "fairness" in hockey tryouts is highly subjective and often varies from one individual to another. Coaches and associations strive to create a fair process, but it is impossible to satisfy everyone. The key is transparency, objective criteria, and thorough preparation to ensure that the tryout process is as equitable as possible.

As we reflect on the tryout process, it's essential to remember that not every outcome will meet everyone's expectations. Embracing the mantra "Don't be bitter, be better" can help players and families focus on growth and improvement rather than dwelling on perceived injustices.

Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where players can showcase their skills and efforts fairly, helping them grow and succeed in the sport. By working together and focusing on these key area noted above, we can strive to make hockey tryouts a positive and fair experience for all involved.