Only three things nece3ssary. Patience, patience, and more patience

That is a great answer, plus some knowledge wont hurt.

Don't be afraid to learn from people who are real experts. Also listen to the kids, you can learn a lot from them too.

Good answer Chris . Myself, I started coaching at 16 and I'm 55 now . I learn
something every day. Myself after a long time of coaching, I decided to take a
Coaching Course . It's called A.S.E.P. American Sport Education Program . It
showed me how much I didn't know . It cost money. Can't say for sure if there
is a proper age that one should take this course. Just trying to answer the question
at hand. Contact Info... www.asep.com --- It is a on-line course .
Hope this helps

I'll take a bit of a deeper approach to this answer. First, you have to love the game you are coaching, and truly have a desire to pass along that love to the kids. Second, you have to love watching kids grow, progress, fail and then succeed. Third, you really have to know the rules... no kid really likes to play for a team that is totally outclassed year after year... if you don't have theknowledge, then find someone who does so the kids can at least enjoy the potential of winning now and then. Fourth and finally, you have to truly have the desire to instill pride, bravery, courage, honor and sportsmanship into the players in your charge... anything less than that effort will actually shortchange the kid at some level. Sports are about becoming the best you can be - as a coach or player - regardless of how good, mediocre, or poor that may be - the objective is first strive for improvement, understanding, and enjoyment of the game, as much as possible... the rest is all about getting a little lucky here and there, and be willing to roll with the punches when the ball goes the other way.

Coach Keith
Colts- 6th Grade Division
Plano, TX

cool i coach the 9&10 year olds im having a hard time finding spots for the smaller kids

It looks like you have some pretty good advice thus far.

Robert, I will add something the best coaches, past and present, have understood to be valuable but many coaches overlook. You must build a synergy, a solid connection between coach and players. You can get the most out of a kid that is engaged in the process. Typically, as coaches, we are never aware of how engaged kids are until they get out onto the field and it is too late to do anything about it.

Before practice begins, consider taking 3 minutes and just talking to them. Ask them questions about their day, let them speak and you LISTEN! These can be the three most important minutes of your practice if you commit to it regularly. What it does is unloads baggage kids, like us, carry around. This is a time when everyone, including the smaller kids, get a chance to participate and feel part of the team. It is also a time that temporarily relieves you of your coaching responsibilities and allows you to sit back and relax before practice starts. You can have fun with it and it will allow you to really get to know your players better. Best of all, you will learn how they think and know how to best connect with them to get them to respond when it matters most.

Robert, the best coaches know, if everyone is on the same page right from the beginning it is easier to get more done and see everyone, including coaches, functioning as a team. If you question whether it will work for your kids. I coach children ages 2-6 everyday. I depend upon it, and believe me and the success of many great coaches who swear by it too, it works.

Best of luck,

Coach Pickles
Jelly Bean Sports, Inc.
Chicagoland, IL
www.jellybeansports.com

Coach Pickles
Jelly Bean Sports, Inc.
Chief Fun Officer
Chicagoland, IL

Coaching is like life. The balance begins with right and wrong. Make the consequences of ones wrong action the opportunity for another. While this doesn't have to be permanent, it sets a precedence that no position is guaranteed and no skill or ability is above the goal of the collective group. This is especially true when there needs to be consequences for a poor decision.

Discuss that poor decision with the player, give them time to reflect and coach them to understand how to make a better decision next time. In the meantime, play less experienced or smaller players to give them the experience they will need to play more later as they grow into their positions. I know this doesn't give you specifics but the philosophy works and relieves you of ever having to feel compromised not playing players who show up to practice and work just as hard but physically don't equal more mature players.

Best of luck,

There is a couple good article from Pete Carroll at www.youthfitnessmag.com for coaching.

Robert,
Nearly 40 years ago I asked the same question of my first coaching mentor. His response was "Time, desire, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn". These requirements still ring true.

just be nice to your teammates that's all you have to do

FIRST COACH A SPORT SPORT THAT YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY AND THEN FIND THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THAT SPORT AND TEACH THAT TO THE PLAYERS YOU NEED TO HAVE PATCENTINCE BECAUSE THEY USAULLY WONT GET IT RIGHT THE VERY FIRST TIME