A Guide to Youth Flag Football Coaching
March 7th, 2009. Published under Sports. No Comments.
Below are a few tips on coaching youth football, whether you have been roped into coaching your sons football league or youve been coaching a few years and cant get over the hump. With our tips you will not have to fear parents talking behind your back because the team isnt winning despite having talent, or kids are quitting because they arent learning the fundamentals. Get your kids excited for practice and ready to play every game.
Making Practice Fun
Teaching the team to enjoy the process is important whether they are playing a game or running plays during practice. Never yell at players for mistakes, practice is more fun when everyone learns to laugh when mistakes are made and then get down to business to correct them. If you are enthusiastic about practice and games it will infect your team and keep everyone wanting to participate.
A Positive Attitude is Important
Keep negative comments in check whether a player makes a bad play, you make a poor call or the other team isnt playing fairly. Things usually go wrong at the worst times during a game, but remember you can only control your attitude and your actions and not the bad things that happen at some point in the season. Your players are always watching you and will reflect your attitude and actions.
Know the Game
The only way your team is going to understand the fundamentals and rules of the game are if they learn it from you. So make sure you understand the rules, the plays and all the ins and outs of the game. Read websites and books, watch football games on TV and talk to other coaches with experience.
Building Character
Coaches are role models so if you want your players to be driven and always do the right thing on and off the field keep that mind. Admitting we make mistakes is crucial, it shows your players it is OK and we all make them. Always staying in control of your emotions is also important, whether disputing a call with a ref or a parent complaining their child is not seeing enough playing time.
Effective Communication
You can know everything there is to know about football drills, plays or the fundamentals but if you cant communicate them to your team you are in for a tough time. If you are explaining a play to a team and they dont get it right, YOU are explaining it wrong.
Improving Your Communication Skills
Football takes a while for a coach and players to understand the rules of the game since it is arguably the most complicated and position-specific of all major sports. Keeping in mind youth sports teaches self confidence, discipline and teamwork that kids will use for the rest of their lives makes it even more important to be a good role model. Keep you and your team looking forward to every practice and game by making it fun!