7 SIMPLE RULES

1. HAVE FUN!

• If you are having fun, the players are surely going to have smiles on their faces!

2. BE ORGANIZED

• Write down your practice plan before practice starts! (Eliminates downtime & practice chaos).
• Organize practice as follows: Warm-up, Individual Skill Work, Mini Games and end with a scrimmage!
• Setup for the next drill/mini-game during the water breaks!
• Organize team parents and assistant coach(es) to help with administrative tasks, practices & discipline problems!

3. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND EXCITING!

• For youth players "ages 6 - 12", keep the practices and tactics simple and in easy-to-understand terms!
• The team name creates unity, competition and brings out the best in your players!
• Use a handful of drills that you & your players enjoy ... no need to spend 15 - 20 minutes explaining new drills at each practice!

4. DEVELOP A TEAM TO-DO LIST!!

• Once you decide on the team to-do list, jot them down and reinforce them throughout the season ... during practice, before games & at half-time!

  For example, When the ball comes to a player, his/her options are passing, dribbling, or shooting ... no kicking!

5. COACH COMMANDMENTS!!!

• Before the season begins, communicate to the players & parents ... Acceptable and unacceptable behavior!
• What to expect from you! (the coach)
• Your expectations of the players!
• Your expectations of the parents!
• Consequences of actions!
• This way everyone follows the commandments or faces the consequences!!

6. CRITIQUING PLAYERS!!!

• Always start with a positive comment and finish up with a constructive critique!
• Use specific examples ...
• Johnny, remember when you kicked the ball 30 yards up the field, that was a powerful kick but were you passing the ball to anyone, or was that a shot?
• Remember, our to-do list says "we don't kick to kick ... we kick to pass or kick to shoot"!

7. GAMES!!!

• Do ... Display good sportsmanship! (You're the role model for your players).
• Do ... Reinforce the team to-do list before the game and during halftime!
• Do ... As the game is played, point out situations (to the subs) where players are (and are not) working on the team to-do list! (The game provides great visual pictures and the subs are a captive audience).
• Do ... Use specific game scenarios (and names) when coaching and making changes at halftime! (Be positive).
• Don't ... Yell and scream from the sidelines (at players or the Ref).
• Don't ... Try to coach every decision the players are making on the field!
• Do ... Let the kids play and have fun!