Coaching youth flag football is an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but can also be quite daunting. The best thing to do first is seek out volunteers from parents of your teammates, because you will need them. The more people you have the better. Remember that at this age, all the players and coaches should have fun, since that’s what it’s really all about.

Coaching Tips:

Coaching youth flag football is all about building a team that works together as a whole. Youth flag football is not about individuals, although using the strengths of certain individuals to create a great winning team is certainly part of the strategy. Always keep it simple enough for all your players to understand. This is not the NFL, and the main purpose is enjoyment, so make sure that every player has an equal opportunity to participate.

Blocking:

Blocking is the most important aspect of a successful flag football team, so teach players to keep blocking until they hear the whistle blow. If you’re team cannot block, you will not be able to stop your opponents from scoring. Explain the importance of a strong defense and how cohesion and teamwork will win games. Running drills to practice grabbing the flag is essential to creating a strong defense.

Running Directions:

Running backs should run in the forward direction toward the opposing team’s end zone, north to south, not east to west. In order to avoid being tagged, many young flag football players run sideline to sideline. As a coach, you must instruct your team which direction to run downfield, towards the first down marker or the end zone.

Safety and Basic Strategy:

Always make sure you have the proper emergency contact information for all your players, and check the field before every practice and game to make sure there are no safety hazards. Be prepared and organized, with practices mapped out beforehand so you will be able to run your drills on the fly without having to waste any time making them up as you go.

Focus on What’s Important:

The kids and the enjoyment is what youth flag football is all about, so try not to take anything too seriously. Don’t be that crazy coach you see on the five O’clock news who runs out onto the middle of the field to scream obscenities at the referee or start a conflict. There’s no national championship trophy or NFL defensive coordinator position available for most coaches after the game. Always remember this is all about the children and having fun.

Flexibility:

Always have a game plan when coaching youth flag football, but be willing to adjust and change it up if it’s not working. One play might work wonderfully on one day, but then it might go nowhere the next, so be flexible and able to change up the strategy. If the players do not understand a drill or concept you are teaching them, it is not their fault, so try explaining it differently. Try not to throw too much complicated information their way immediately, but try to built things up gradually and steadily so that all players can understand everything.

By: S. R. Tucker

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