Youth Flag Football Coaching 101
March 6th, 2009. Published under Sports. No Comments.
Use our tips below to make this season a success whether you have been roped into coaching your sons football league for the first time, or youve been coaching a few years and cant get your team to break their losing streak. You will no longer fear parents talking behind your back because a team full of talent cant win or because kids are quitting because they are bored and not learning the fundamentals. Our tips will get your team excited for practice and ready to play every game.
Practice Should Be 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
Become an expert in the game because the only way your team is going to get the fundamentals and rules are if they learn it from you. Learn all the ins and outs and the rules of the game as much as you can before the season starts. Spend time reading websites and books, watching football games on TV and talking to more experienced coaches.
Building Character
If you want your players to be driven and always do the right thing on and off the field you need to be the role model. This means admitting when you have made mistakes and yes, we all make them. Remember to always stay in control of your emotions whether talking to a ref about a bad call or a parent complaining their child is not seeing enough playing time.
Effective Communication
Learn to communicate your ideas well, knowing everything there is to know about football drills, plays or the fundamentals is great but will get you nowhere if you cant explain them. Keep in mind YOU are explaining a play or drill incorrectly if your players dont catch on. Keep an open line of communication between you, the parents and players so parents and athletes to have realistic views of the athlete’s skill level.
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!