DISCIPLINE Lots of it .Kids have to know your for real about what your doing.

oops: coachability :-)

Being honest, good communications and show them the same respect that you expect in return.

^^^^ what Kirk said. That being said, he has to understand that you ARE the coach, and what your telling him is to make him a better player so he enjoys the game more. In my years of coaching, communication with the parent is essential as well. They are usually protective of their kid, and don't always see the constructive criticism as helpful, not always anyway. By discussing with them the reasoning behind what your saying, getting them involved, they tend to help you get the young man to where he needs to be, physically and/ or mentally.

3 c's: consistency, communication, and constructive criticism. Ok that's four c's. But they are all important. And when discipline is necessary, it must be immediate and fair. It starts at the beginning. Communicate on day one what will not be tolerated, and how it will be disciplined, (communication) then follow thru every time, for each infraction no matter how minor (consistency). And use continuous instruction and encouragement (constructive). And remember to teach everything, even how to act when sitting on the bench, how to cheer, how not to blame but to encourage teammates. Even humility, and challenge. Never be derisive to the other team, always want to play the best team, so that if you can't win you can improve. And smile.

Players need to know what is expected of them and the consequences if they don't follow the team rules. One of my favorite techniques motivates the player and helps the team coach themselves.

If a player doesn't follow the rules, punish those that did. For example, if one of the rules of the team is to come to practice in uniform - belt, baseball pants, hat, jersey, etc. and a player or players have a habit of forgetting their belt...everyone who is in uniform has to run. The offenders get to watch.

If what the players need to do is clear, and someone doesn't follow rules, this will add peer pressure and have the players keeping each other in line.

Hope that helps.

Pat

My coaches philosophy begins with...
"When coaching any sport, I do not only have to be a teacher of the sport. I have to be a teacher in life, a parent figure, psychologist, counselor, public relations expert, and a role model."
Then I break it down... for myself by planning. What does this have to do with control? Everything, sadly but in some cases you are more a parent figure that the actual parent(s). Your players must trust you 100% and vice versa...
If a player is not cooperating during practice, have him leave the gym... do not have all the players make up because of one player or two. I used to think by having everyone paying the price by running them would place peer pressure was wrong and ineffective, plus the whole team lost time never to be regained. You will find in a very short time your team is now beating with one heart beat.