Coach -

Coaching youth football is about more than schemes — it’s about creating the right habits, culture, and environment for your players to grow. Here are six lessons from two experienced youth coaches you can apply immediately:

Be sure to check out the free video clips from these coaches.

From Coach Issac Lloyd

Head Coach

Brantly County Recreation Dept. 

Nahunta, GA

1. Stick to What Your Players Know

When the pressure hits, avoid drawing up plays on the fly that your players have never practiced. Young athletes thrive on repetition and familiarity.

🏈 Action: Build a flexible playbook in practice so you have in-game options without breaking from what they already know.

2. Avoid Stubborn Play Calling

Running the same play over and over when it’s clearly not working kills momentum and confidence.

🏈 Action: Have 2–3 “change-up” calls ready each week that counter what defenses are doing — but keep them rooted in your existing system.

3. Identify and Attack Defensive Weaknesses

Every defense has a soft spot — even in youth football. The best coaches train their team to recognize and exploit it.

🏈 Action: Before each game, highlight one weakness on the opponent’s defense and show your players how you’ll attack it.

Video: What to Do if Nothing Works

From Coach Josh Lichty

Onalaska, WI

4. Use Games & Competitions for Conditioning and Motivation

Games like tag, relay races, or position-specific challenges push kids harder than traditional conditioning. They build endurance, mental toughness, and excitement for practice.

🏈 Action: Swap out at least one “run-and-back” drill each practice for a competitive game that still develops speed and stamina.

5. Group Players Thoughtfully

The wrong groupings can lead to boredom for advanced players and frustration for developing ones.

🏈 Action: Pair players so each group has a chance to compete — mixing skill levels strategically to keep everyone challenged without setting them up to fail.

6. Keep Joy and Fun in the Program — Especially When Losing

When the season gets tough, doubling down on “hard work only” can burn kids out. Joy fuels effort.

🏈 Action: In tough stretches, dedicate 10 minutes at the end of practice to a high-energy, fun competition that sends players home smiling.

Video: Very Important Ideas

The best youth coaches know it’s not just about the scoreboard — it’s about preparing kids to love the game, compete with confidence, and keep coming back. Pick one of these to apply this week and watch the impact.

Coach Grabowski & The CoachTube Team