Athletics is a filtration process where kids will decide which sports they like and where they will invest their time.  As a youth coach, you want to provide opportunities for every player to improve their skill, understand sacrifices for the team, and have a chance to compete and have fun.

Improving skill is a natural phase to see and understand, receiving and passing the ball is simple to evaluate; grabbing flags has the variables of the speed and agility of the ball carrier.  There are many good videos and drills available to help coaches teach those skills.

Understanding sacrifices for the team can be a challenge because, as a coach, you are the leader and decision-maker who will have to say “No” to a player and or parent.  One critical key to a successful football team is to get the players in the best position for their ability and team needs. 

Tackle football has many positions that allow for more flexibility in placing players in positions than flag football, which is all about speed and skill.  If you have a player who struggles with catching passes, work with that player to catch short routes and use that player to run clearing routes with no intention to pass that player the ball.  As that player improves, the coach can incorporate that player on routes where s/he can be successful.  Maybe that player can be successful on defense?  With a limited number of touches, the player and for sure the parent will notice and challenge your coaching decision.  

The emphasis on the team first, the ability of the coach to show each player has a valuable role and is being coached to improve their skill is critical to following the philosophy of C.A.R.E.  Remember, the coach can’t make everyone happy, and if every parent and player say they are happy, there’s a good chance somebody is lying.

Athletics is about competition, and it’s essential for the coach to incorporate practice situations that have competition built into some of the drills.  Relay races, setting a number of completed passes in one or two minutes, the number of completed passes in a row, or how long it takes to pull a flag in a designated space like a 10x10 yard box or whatever area provides for a competitive challenge.  Try to take your drills and make a game out of it to challenge and excite your players. Athletes love to compete, so mix teaching, or skill developmental drills with competitive drills to keep your players engaged and having fun.