LET THEM PLAY FOOTBALL
While teaching football skills and strategies is important, keep your lessons as simple as possible. As your team grasps the basics, move on to more advanced ideas. Overloading young players with too much information too early can cause them only confusion...and you headaches.
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PRACTICES ( back to top )
Practices are required. Each coach must conduct 1 practice per week according to your personal schedule. Sending emails is the easiest way to communicate your practice schedule to your team. It is impossible to please every member of your team. Pick a day and time for your practices and stick with it.
COACHING AND TEACHING YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS GO HAND IN HAND
Youth football coaches should consider themselves teachers of the game. No matter which age group you
coach, youth players will vary in experience and competence. Here are ways in which a youth football coach can
connect with players and maintain a successful coaching teaching relationship
LEARN PLAYERS NAMES ( back to top )
Learn all of your players' names as soon as possible. This will allow your players to feel more comfortable. You
can accelerate this process in several ways. Write each player's first and last names either on white adhesive
tape, computer labels, or name tags. The tape, labels, or tags can be adhered to players' jerseys.
DON'T FORGET THE BASICS ( back to top )
Not all kids can completely grasp the concept of football as a sport. They must be taught football beginning
with the basics. The trick is explaining enough aspects of the sport without overwhelming them. A coach who pays
attention to all of his players can best gauge how much time and how many drills to devote to the fundamentals.
ONE STEP AT A TIME ( back to top )
When teaching aspects of the game to young players, coaches should use teaching drills that promote a steady
progression of learning and success. For example: Don't have your players throw long passes until they have
experienced success throwing shorter distances. This coaching philosophy will help your player build a strong
foundation of success and leave them looking forward to progressing to the next level of skills.
COACHING IS TEACHING - GET THEIR ATTENTION ( back to top )
Kids will be kids, and won't always focus their attention on their coach. When demonstrating a play, drill, or other
activity, get your players' attention first. Any show of enthusiasm on your part can be contagious. If the coach
isn't excited about practicing, the players probably won't be either .
AND KEEP IT... ( back to top )
Most kids would rather play a game than practice, but preparation is important, too. Successful coaches do their
best to inject fun and competition into their drills. There is value in learning through repetition, but kids often lose
interest when running drills repetitiously. Practice drills based on contests, races, and games will allow your players
to learn and improve without getting bored and distracted. There's no reason these players can't have fun at
practice, too.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT ( back to top )
High school, college, and professional football players expect to have their coach yell at them during practice
and games. A youth league player's idea of having fun doesn't include getting yelled at. Coaches should always
stress positive reinforcement. Show encouragement and compliment good play in front of the entire team. Show
restraint and respect when criticizing youth players. Talk softly and privately so as not to embarrass them in frontof their teammates. Too much negative reinforcement can push kids away from football and the adult mentorship
and positive learning environment it provides.
HALF TIME ( back to top )
There are two halves during the game. Between the halves, play is stopped for an intermission.
This time can be used for a water break and to discuss strategy. Teams will switch field direction
when they return from halftime, and the team that lost the coin toss starts the second half with an option to
receive the kickoff or defend an end zone.
HANDOFF: A direct exchange of the football from one offensive player to another.
HUDDLE: A huddle is when the offense and defense gather separately on the field between plays to call plays or discuss strategy. In some leagues coaches are allowed in the huddle with younger players.
INTERCEPTION: When a defensive player catches a pass intended for an offensive player. The interception can be run back toward the opposite end zone by the defense.
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LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: The imaginary line showing the offensive position on the field. The ball is snapped and each play begins from the Line of scrimmage.
MIDFIELD: A Line across the center of the field. In the JCC League there are 2 midfield lines which designate first downs.
MIRROR: When a defensive player closely follows an offensive player by copying (mirroring) his/her moves and direction.
MOTION: When one wide receiver or running back switches his/her location before the ball is snapped. The running back or wide receiver may run in either direction toward the sidelines but not toward the line of scrimmage.
OFFENSE: The team with possession of the football.
BLITZ: When a defensive back or Linebacker runs behind the Line of scrimmage toward the quarterback
COIN FLIP: A coin is flipped to determine which team will get possession of the football first. A representative from each team meets before the game in the center of the field with the referee. The visiting team will call heads or tails before the referee flips the coin in the air. If they choose correctly, they will have the option to have first possession of the ball in the first half or to choose the end zone they will defend in the first half.
DEFENSE: The team without the football, which protects its scoring area (end zone).
END ZONE: The area at both ends of the field 10 yards deep by 30 yards wide, The defense protects this area.
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EXTRA POINT/TWO-POINT CONVERSION: After a touchdown, the offense has a chance to score 1 point with one play by kicking an extra-point or 2 points by crossing the goal Line with a run or a pass from two yards out.
FIRST DOWN: When the offense moves the ball past the first-down marker, it earns a first down. An official also can award a first down on a penalty.
FLAT: The area closest to each sideline directly on or behind the Line of scrimmage.
GOAL LINE: The Line that must be crossed to get into the end zone for a touchdown or two-point conversion.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE ( back to top )
A set practice schedule should be given to every player and parent. This schedule should include times and locations.
It's best to practice on the same days each week. This allows players and parents to schedule their week
and transportation and also allows your team to adopt a practice/preparation routine.
FIELD ( back to top )
Because of the large number of teams and smaller number of fields, most youth teams cannot practice on a
regulation field on a regular basis. Coaches can adapt any field for football practice. Coaches should inspect any
practice field for holes, uneven ruts, rocks, sprinkler heads, or other sharp objects. Make sure you get the
owner's permission to use the field and leave the field the way you found it.
EQUIPTMENT ( back to top )
WATER Coaches should provide more than enough water or power drinks such as Gatorade for every player to
take the number of breaks as recommended by your league's guidelines or medical consultant.
ORANGE CONES
Small orange cones can be used to mark
yardage, sidelines, and end zones on your practice field.
FOOTBALLS ( back to top )
Coaches should bring enough footballs to allow for efficient practice drills.
WHISTLE ( back to top )
Each coach should use a whistle to begin and end practice drills and plays.
FIRST AID KIT ( back to top )
Should include assorted bandages and antiseptic spray. Also have on hand emergency contact phone numbers. The coach and the league should have emergency procedures in place for practices and games. Remember, whether it is a practice or a game your players are your responsibility. It's up to you to make sure their experience is safe and fun.
OFFSIDE ( back to top )
When either team crosses the line of scrimmage before the football is snapped. This is a penalty.
PASS
When the quarterback throws the football to a teammate.
SAFETY ( back to top )
When an offensive player is downed or tackled in his/her own end zone with the football. Play is stopped, and the defense is awarded 2 points. The defensive team also receives a free kick.
SCREEN
A pass to the wide receiver or running back in the flat. The quarterback usually fakes a pass to a wide receiver or running back in the opposite direction.
SHOTGUN
The formation in which the quarterback stands 3 to 5 yards behind the center to take the snap. This will allow the quarterback more time to look for the wide receivers and watch for a blitz.
SNAP
When the center passes the football between his/her legs to a quarterback.
TOUCHDOWN (TO) ( back to top )
A touchdown is scored when the offense runs or passes the football into the end zone and is awarded 6 points.
TIME OUTS ( back to top )
Each team is allowed a predetermined number of time outs per half. This time is used to stop the game clock and discuss strategy.
TOSS
When the quarterback pitches the football to a teammate.
TURNOVER ( back to top )
A loss of possession of the football. When the football is intercepted or fumbled, the defense gains possession of the ball.
QUARTERBACK (QB)
The quarterback calls the offensive plays in the huddle and receives the snap behind the center. The QB can hand the ball to a running back, run with the ball, or pass the ball to a receiver in most leagues.
RUNNING BACK (RB)
Running backs stand in the backfield behind or next to the QB. RBs can receive handoffs or run out for passes. RBs also can block and pass the ball.
WIDE RECEIVER (WR) ( back to top )
Wide receivers run out for passes and block on running plays. WRs also can take handoffs on end-arounds and reverses.
CENTER (C) ( back to top )
The center snaps the football between his/her legs to the QB on offensive plays, punts, field goals, and extra point kicks. The C also blocks downfield on run plays and at the line of scrimmage on pass plays.
DEFENSIVE BACK (DB)
Safeties [S) and cornerbacks [CB) play in the defensive backfield. DB's cover receivers and tight ends.
>> Practice elements can include: ( back to top )
WARM UPS
Stretching and calisthenics.
DRILLS
See the following sample drills.
CONDITIONING
Check your league's guidelines on running to build and maintain endurance.
DRILLS
Here are examples of rudimentary drills to run during your first practice:
WARMING UP
Line your players up in rows. Coach should show proper stretching techniques. Finish with light calisthenics.
RUNNING WITH THE BALL
Divide your players into two teams of two groups 20 yards apart. Teams can run
relay races carrying a football and handing off to teammates.
PASSING AND RECEIVING
Form two lines a short distance apart. Players pass the ball back and forth. Lengths of throws can be extended after every five passes.
ROUTE RUNNING AND PASS DEFENSE
Passers throw to receivers running routes. Defenders cover receivers.
CONDITIONING
Players line up shoulder to shoulder. Coach squats in front, holding football on the ground. On the coach's snap, players sprint to a designated line (e.g. 40 yards).
In man-for-man defense, one defensive player follows each offensive receiver and tight end wherever he/she goes. Man-for-man works well if your defensive backs and linebackers are fast and quick.
>> OFFENSE ( back to top )
ILLEGAL MOTION
Any movement after players are set prior to the snap of the ball. One receiver or running back can be in motion, but cannot move toward the line of scrimmage.
HOLDING
A blocker cannot grasp a defender with his/her hands.
DELAY OF GAME
The ball must be snapped within the required time limit.
PASS INTERFERENCE
Receivers cannot push off or hold a defender while the ball is in the air.
ILLEGAL FORWARD PASS
Forward passes cannot be thrown after the passer has passed the line of scrimmage.
INELIGIBLE RECEIVER
Passes cannot be thrown to offensive linemen.
INELIGIBLE RECEIVER DOWNFIELD
Offensive linemen cannot block past the line of scrimmage until after the receiver has caught the ball.
>> DEFENSE ( back to top )
OFFSIDE
Defenders cannot line up past or cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped.
PASS INTERFERENCE
Defenders cannot interfere with a receiver's attempt to catch a pass.
DEFENSIVE HOLDING
Defenders cannot grasp receivers.
ROUGHING THE PASSER
Defenders cannot hit the passer after he/she has released the ball.
Defensive backs and linebackers in zone play are responsible for a certain area of the field. They guard any receiver who enters that area.
>> GAME DAY ( back to top )
PRE-GAME WARM UPS
Make sure your team arrives early enough to warm-up properly prior to the game. This is also a good time to ensure that your players' equipment and uniforms are worn properly.
EVERYONE PLAYS
None of your players signed up to watch. Coaches, parents, and players want to win, but a winning record should not come at the expense of your players' enjoyment. Some leagues enforce a minimum guideline for playing time. If not, create a player substitution system and stick with it no matter the score. Inform your team's parents of the player substitution system.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Remember, a young player's idea of having fun doesn't include getting yelled at. Coaches should always stress positive reinforcement. Show encouragement and compliment good play in front of the entire team. Show restraint and respect when criticizing youth players. Talk softly and privately so as not to embarrass them in front of their teammates and parents.
HALFTIME
Halftime is a good time to replenish your players' bodies and minds. Provide plenty of water or other sports drinks as well as encouragement to every player.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Coaches should always act as a role model for sportsmanship. Limit criticisms or questions concerning penalties and calls to private conversations with the game officials. Always teach your players to respect their opponents and to shake their hands after the game whether they win or lose.
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