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A Parent's Guide to Coaching American Youth Football

By Laurie Dove, HowStuffWorks, 09/11/19, 8:00PM PDT

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Coaching is far more than one play, in one game, in one season. It's a commitment that can elevate the game, and your players, for a lifetime.

Coaching youth football isn't for the faint of heart. For those who dedicate themselves to the craft, it can be full of progressive rewards. What other way can you so effectively compress the time/space continuum to witness a disparate group of children go from wondering why they're on the field to forming team-wide camaraderie -- in just a few short months?

But getting your team from Point A to Point B isn't just half the battle -- it's the entire battle. That's why it's crucial to start with fundamentals, no matter your team's collective age or level of play. A clear grasp of ball-handling, drill-running and the team playbook puts everyone on the same page. And, while you're quietly pulling your team together, practice by practice, another important factor comes into play: discipline.