Coaching Youth Football - Recruit the New Players During the Off-season

Football Blog

We are only coaching little kids sports, but let's face the facts, you need studs to win. A great coach cannot win with terrible talent. A bad coach can ruin great talent. This will be the topic for another article. I am not a "win at all costs" type of coach, but I do try to win every game I coach.

I know it sounds terrible, but it in the off-season make sure you recruits studs. You want to try to get the best basketball, soccer, baseball and hockey players or whatever sport is in the area. One great way of finding these kids is to be involved in coaching other youth sports. You will know which of these kids are aggressive and fast. I have coached youth basketball longer than youth football and this has always been a gold mine for football.

The second way to recruit players is your current players. All kids want to have their friends on the same youth football team. Encourage your current team to spread the word. Go and see your upcoming players in their other sports and make note of the studs. Have your upcoming players ask the studs to join the team.

You can check with your league to see if there are any boundary limits. If not you may want to check out some kids from the neighboring towns. This is especially effect if the neighboring city does not have a youth football program or plays in a different league. Sometime there is better competition or your league may offer a better weight /age advantage so these kids will switch leagues.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

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Coaching Youth Football - Attending Camps and Seminars Including Coaching Clinics

Football Blog

One of the very best things you can do in the off season is attending the many different youth football clinics and camps. There are the major camps that have huge sponsors like NIKE and a variety of coaches from youth sports to college will be giving lectures. Some of these camps last over a few days and can be expensive but if you look at the itinerary and plan your days you should get a lot of information. Just remember that any of the High School and College information must be modified for the youth football level.

If you are not into the big major events the local Community Colleges and High Schools will be running some kind of clinic or camp. If you are on the board for your organization you can probably get one of the local High School coaches to come by and give your league their own private clinic.

A few of the youth football organizations are starting to run their own camps. This can be for the kids as well as the coaches and if do right can be a fundraiser as well.

It is best to check in the local papers for the camps closest to you or the internet if you don't mind traveling. I live in Illinois and there are many local camps and quite a few right over the border in Wisconsin. Try to contact the camps ahead of time so you can get a list of coaches who have attended their camp in the past so you can get a better idea on what to expect.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Coaching Youth Football - Recruit the New Players During the Off-season

Football Blog

We are only coaching little kids sports, but let's face the facts, you need studs to win. A great coach cannot win with terrible talent. A bad coach can ruin great talent. This will be the topic for another article. I am not a "win at all costs" type of coach, but I do try to win every game I coach.

I know it sounds terrible, but it in the off-season make sure you recruits studs. You want to try to get the best basketball, soccer, baseball and hockey players or whatever sport is in the area. One great way of finding these kids is to be involved in coaching other youth sports. You will know which of these kids are aggressive and fast. I have coached youth basketball longer than youth football and this has always been a gold mine for football.

The second way to recruit players is your current players. All kids want to have their friends on the same youth football team. Encourage your current team to spread the word. Go and see your upcoming players in their other sports and make note of the studs. Have your upcoming players ask the studs to join the team.

You can check with your league to see if there are any boundary limits. If not you may want to check out some kids from the neighboring towns. This is especially effect if the neighboring city does not have a youth football program or plays in a different league. Sometime there is better competition or your league may offer a better weight /age advantage so these kids will switch leagues.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Coaching Youth Football - Attending Camps and Seminars Including Coaching Clinics

Football Blog

One of the very best things you can do in the off season is attending the many different youth football clinics and camps. There are the major camps that have huge sponsors like NIKE and a variety of coaches from youth sports to college will be giving lectures. Some of these camps last over a few days and can be expensive but if you look at the itinerary and plan your days you should get a lot of information. Just remember that any of the High School and College information must be modified for the youth football level.

If you are not into the big major events the local Community Colleges and High Schools will be running some kind of clinic or camp. If you are on the board for your organization you can probably get one of the local High School coaches to come by and give your league their own private clinic.

A few of the youth football organizations are starting to run their own camps. This can be for the kids as well as the coaches and if do right can be a fundraiser as well.

It is best to check in the local papers for the camps closest to you or the internet if you don't mind traveling. I live in Illinois and there are many local camps and quite a few right over the border in Wisconsin. Try to contact the camps ahead of time so you can get a list of coaches who have attended their camp in the past so you can get a better idea on what to expect.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Coaching Youth Football - Making it Fun

Football Blog

This could easily be the first and last paragraph of this article. While coaching youth football you better make it fun for the players and coaches involved. The parents will fall in line if they see that their kids are having fun. Please remember most of these kids will not go on to play high school sports. It is very important that you give them a memorable experience while you're coaching them.

I have seen way too many coaches have the military approach, which we strongly disagree with for youth football. There's a big difference between running a strict disciplined team versus a military operation. Useless conditioning and exercises prove that the coach does not know what he's doing and covers it by running these ridiculous "boot camps." Please remember to keep it light, and have fun.

The same thing goes for your coaches. Coaching youth football needs to be fun for all. You will be dedicating many hours over the course of a season so you should make it fun for all. I am so close to my coaches that we socially get together with the wives on a regular basis.

You can take it serious and try to win but do not take a win at all costs approach. The parents, kids and assistant coaches will hate you for it. The league will also be happy if they do not get complaints from parents on you or your staff throughout the youth football season. So take my advise and make it FUN!

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Youth Football Coaching - Attend the Monthly Administration Meetings

Football Blog

It can be extremely valuable to go to your monthly youth football league meeting. If you have the time and desire, volunteer to be on the board. You can gain a lot of knowledge from the veteran coaches. Many coaches and board members have been at this game for many years. The experience of these guys at the different age and skill levels can be a great source of information.

You will feel better by helping out your youth football league with other important issues than coaching. I do not believe in "playing politics" to help you secure the team and level you prefer to coach. If you have a kid you will be coaching or helping with the team is playing on. If you are a non-parent (like me) coaching you may want to consider staying at one level or helping out where the league needs the most help. I prefer to stay at one level for many reasons including

New kids each year keeps things interesting
Your "stuff" doesn't get old
You become an "expert" at this level
It makes following years easier since you have a template to follow

Just make sure you do not over extend yourself when volunteering your time. Make sure you can complete any job you commit to. The youth football organization can use as much volunteer help as possible.

The last thing the administration needs is someone who will not follow through with their duties. Do not volunteer unless you are sure you can follow through.

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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10 Football Coaching Tips For Kids You Can't Do Without

Football Blog

Football coaching for kids can be just as demanding and hard work as it is for professional managers. No matter whether you are an experienced football coach or first time manager of a kids' team, you can benefit from these 10 tips to become a better soccer coach.

1. Use Soccer drills

Soccer drills are the foundations that help to teach the players the basics of the game. Skills such as dribbling round cones, passing games, running and fitness exercises are great for developing techniques and awareness.

2. Encourage players to think for themselves

Letting players think for themselves can help them learn from their mistakes, and take the glory when they get things right

3. Develop their life skills as well as football skills

Football coaches have a moral responsibility to help to develop players' life skills as well as their football skills. Accepting that they won't always score or win, and that referees are always right, will help the young player develop as a person. Being courteous and professional on the pitch can transfer into being a pleasant and polite person off the pitch.

4. Let the children play football

It's better to watch them play than to lecture them, and make football practice boring. Watching players progress and seeing how they cope in situations, is a very rewarding aspect of football coaching.

5. Make attainable goals

Children respond well to challenges. You can make something more exciting by making it competitive. Weekly, monthly or season long targets are a good idea and can be set for the team as a whole or for individual players.

6. Be Age-aware

Be realistic about what you expect from your players. Young and inexperienced players will make mistakes, and there is no point in over-training, or exercising them to the point of exhaustion.

7. Don't concentrate solely on winning

Whilst it's great to win, it's better to ensure that the players are enjoying themselves, and learning. A team may learn more from losing than winning. The team spirit and confidence is as important when a team is losing as it is when winning.

8. Communicate efficiently and effectively.

The right amount of communication with the players is vital - saying too much is just as bad as saying too little. Try and keep comments for before and after the practice session, rather than every time a player makes a mistake.

9. Use technology

Training methods have come on in leaps and bounds over recent years. Computer and internet based training courses mean that there is a wealth of resources available instantly, rather than having to rely on what out of date books are available at the local library, or by making notes whilst watching matches on TV.

10. Enjoy the game as much as the players do

There is a danger that you will become so engrossed in the game, and focussed so much on doing well and winning, that you will lose sight of the important aspects. If training sessions look like a chore to you, it will to the children too.

Why not see if you can improve your football coaching with these tips?

Want to be an even better coach? Why not use the football drills and football coaching methods used by a Premier League football club? Learn how your players can benefit from proven training methods, and you might uncover the next Wayne Rooney!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_James

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Coaching Youth Football - Homecoming Or Rally Night For Youth Football

Football Blog

I hate homecoming games for youth football. My record with the last five teams I have coached is 1-4. What is the purpose of a "homecoming"? I believe it is for prior players and families to come back and support the team. What a bunch of hogwash! I have never seen any returning players come back to watch a game because it was a homecoming game. The other players will come back if they have a sibling playing on your youth football team.

The truth is the players get completely distracted. They want to screw around, paint their faces and pig out on junk food. Some parents want to have parties before and after the game. A double dose of BS as far as I am concerned.

Once again, we live in a democracy so I need to deal with youth football homecoming. I have found it best to use that Team Mom and depending on how she and the other parents feel about it let them have at it. I ask that the festivities be held after the game. Let Team Mom put together a committee and make homecoming as big as they want. I usually leave after the game to go scout. Some of my assistants have enjoyed hanging out after the game for the social event. I know it is for the kids so I try to keep a low profile regarding homecoming. You will want to check with your league as to what the require you to do. Make sure the Team Mom coordinates with the cheerleaders since they live and die for this day. Some years the cheerleaders have made a banner for the kids to run through. This really keeps the focus in check before the game (joke).

One youth football league I coached for had a rally night. I thought this was a good idea. They had the Youth football Rally Night before the first game. This is brilliant since all teams are undefeated at this point and optimism is at the highest level.

All the youth football teams would line up and each player had his name announced. The player would run through a large inflatable helmet. This helmet came from a local high school. Each player gets his moment in the sun by running through this helmet. I believe they even used a fog machine so the players ran through a cloud of smoke. They had one of the families donate hamburgers and hot dogs. All food was cooked and given to the players free. The league bought Gatorade which was given free too the players.

This was well run and fast. There was no youth football game following the event so the kids were able to be as crazy as they wanted to be.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Coaching Youth Football - Recruit the New Players During the Off-season

Football Blog

We are only coaching little kids sports, but let's face the facts, you need studs to win. A great coach cannot win with terrible talent. A bad coach can ruin great talent. This will be the topic for another article. I am not a "win at all costs" type of coach, but I do try to win every game I coach.

I know it sounds terrible, but it in the off-season make sure you recruits studs. You want to try to get the best basketball, soccer, baseball and hockey players or whatever sport is in the area. One great way of finding these kids is to be involved in coaching other youth sports. You will know which of these kids are aggressive and fast. I have coached youth basketball longer than youth football and this has always been a gold mine for football.

The second way to recruit players is your current players. All kids want to have their friends on the same youth football team. Encourage your current team to spread the word. Go and see your upcoming players in their other sports and make note of the studs. Have your upcoming players ask the studs to join the team.

You can check with your league to see if there are any boundary limits. If not you may want to check out some kids from the neighboring towns. This is especially effect if the neighboring city does not have a youth football program or plays in a different league. Sometime there is better competition or your league may offer a better weight /age advantage so these kids will switch leagues.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Youth Football - Common First Year Coaching Errors

Football Blog

A Mistake the First Year Assistant Coach Usually Makes

Many dads starting out coaching youth football for the first time make the same blunder, they try to "connect" with the kids by trying to look like them, talk like them or be their best buddy. In most cases the coaches intentions are noble and good, the rookie coach wants to be able to effectively coach and for his players to have fun. But in other cases, the coach is just trying to be popular and be well liked by his players.

What The Experts Say

The biggest High School Football coaches forum in the US asked its members what is the number one mistake rookie assistant coaches make and by a HUGE margin the number one answer was: Coaches trying to be their players "best friend". In the end it made the coach less effective as a coach and less respected by his players.

What Is Reasonable?

Youth football players need to know their coaches care about them, but that doesn't mean you have to adopt their slang, their mannerisms or wear your baseball cap backwards. You can show you care without acting like a little kid or arrested development adult. Because once you start acting like a kid, they no longer look up to you or respect you, you are now on their level. They don't know much yet and now they think you don't either.

How To Do It

A player understands that you legitimately care about them when, you know their name, make eye contact, you encourage them enthusiastically and help them set goals. You will never be able to reach your full potential as a coach unless you're able to establish that relationship. Once you have that level of trust, now the player is looking at your level of expertise and commitment. He is thinking; if I follow the coaches directions, will I become a better player? Or if my team follows the coaches directions, will we be a competitive youth football team?

The nice thing about most youth football players is they don't know much, so they have little to compare you with. Most of them don't know the correct steps to an efficient reach block or the proper way to run a Cover 2 coverage scheme. Since the players don't know much, they "judge" you based on what they can understand; how organized you are, your confidence level, how committed you are and your level of enthusiasm. After they know you care, they will gravitate to you if they think you can make them into better football players.

In The Real World

Look at a team that is "lost" and most likely you will see kids that think their coach doesn't care about them as people. You will also find players on that team who think the coach doesn't know what he's doing. On the other hand seek out a team that is excelling, these players will have "bought in" to the coaches system and methods. The kids trust the coaches and their instructions more than they trust their own instincts because not only do they know the coach cares, but they trust his expertise as well.

I realize it's popular parenting these days to try and be your kids best friend. Unfortunately most parents I see doing this have kids that don't respect them and have kids whose lives seem to always be unraveling. Kids already have friends, what they need are real parents that will guide them in the ways they should go. The same goes for coaching youth football.

If you follow that guideline, in the end you will have players that not only love you, but respect you as well. This will save you from looking like an outdated pandering buffoon to your kids and parents. Don't get me wrong on this one, we have plenty of fun in our practices. I love a good water balloon fight, wisecrack or timely practical joke as much as the next guy, but the kids need to know you are their coach, not their bestest buddy.

Copyright 2009 Cisar Management, all rights reserved. Republishing allowed if links are kept intact.

Dave Cisar-
With over 15 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach, Dave has developed a detailed systematic approach to developing youth players and teams. His personal teams to using this system to date have won 90% of their games in 5 Different Leagues.
Get 400 Free Youth Coaching tips from him here: Football Plays

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Football Blog: Coaching Youth Football - Use Email and the Website to Update Practice Changes Due to Weather

Football Blog

When coaching youth football it is a good idea to have a plan in place for emergency cancellations of practice. Since we are in the computer age, this should be your obvious choice. Our administration has a coaches and team section where each coach can post his own notes. I brainwash my parents to check the web site daily to make sure there are no changes in the practice.

I also send out an email to all parents, or guardians, on the football list. I copy and paste the same information from the web site to the email. This is a double protection to make sure no one shows up. I keep a general rule of posting all changes or cancellations of practice by 4pm local time. That is one hour and 15 minutes before I start practice.

As far as when to cancel a youth football practice depends on many factors including

Age of my team
Time of the season
How well the team is doing
Upcoming opponent
General safety

There is a general rule we have that is the same as the swimming pool. If there is lightning, we have to suspend football practice for 20 minutes. If there is a second bolt of lightning then practice is called off.

I spend a lot of time on practices days looking at weather.com, especially the radar maps. If it looks like heavy rain or lightning, I just cancel the practice.

The other consideration is the field condition. The facility may have a stipulation that if there is standing water you cannot be on the field. Make sure you know the rules to avoid any problems.

Having a plan ahead of time to handle cancellation of practices is one of the jobs you have as a head coach of a youth football team.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great success for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games. Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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Football Blog: Coaching Youth Football - Zero Tolerance Policy

Football Blog

I believe in adopting a zero tolerance policy for bad behavior for the football team you are coaching. I am writing in the parent section of the book so let me explain what I mean be zero tolerance. If you have done what has been suggested, and set the ground rules up front early in the year at the parent meeting, then I do not believe in second chances. There are not a lot of rules and most of them are just common courtesy.

There is no tolerance for any parent to question or complain to you in public. Coaching youth football is a voluntary position and everyone including the parents should respect you. If a parent has a question make sure, you have a way and a time for them to approach you. In a private manner, it is fine to ask any questions they may have, but not in front of an audience.

Please check with your youth football administration regarding your zero tolerance policy and have their approval before the season starts. Most youth football programs will applaud your efforts to keep things under control.

The penalties I have used for noncompliant parents has ranged from suspending them from games, suspending them from our youth football practices and kicking them out of the league. The parents need to realize that this is little kid football and we volunteers are there to give the kids as good of an experience as possible. Thankfully, most parents are aware of this.

Jim has over 22 years of hands-on experience as a youth coach. The system he has used with great sucess for both youth football and youth basketball. His personal teams have won over 80% of their games.

Jim has over 200 Free Youth Football Articles at : http://www.jimoddo.com

Copyright 2009 Jim Oddo, jimoddo.com, Oddo & Oddo, Ltd., Mega Media Depot and http://www.jimoddo.com republishing this article in it's entirety or any parts of it without including this paragraph is copyright infringement

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Oddo

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