Being a hockey and soccer mom over the last few years has definitely given me some insight into what it takes to be a great (and not-so-great) coach. I’ve seen my two boys thrive under the leadership of a coach who really understood how to get the best from them and encouraged them to take chances, try hard and have fun. I’ve also comforted my youngest son after several practices where his coach continued to yell to the point that my son shut down and didn’t want to try at all. It was truly heartbreaking.