Coaches

Coaching Tips

Players and parents have trusted you to lead. Follow these principles and you'll have a great season.

Flag football is built so every player can contribute. Emphasize working together over individual stars.

Discourage roughness from day one — for their safety and your sanity. Tackling never helps the team.

Shake hands or high-five after games, applaud good plays on both sides and respect officials. Your team will follow your lead.

Teach the basics first and add ideas as your team is ready. Too much too soon confuses kids and frustrates coaches.

Many skills your players practice mirror their NFL heroes — use that to spark excitement.

Thank you for volunteering. This season can become a lifelong memory for you and your team.

The essentials

Ten Coaching Guidelines

Be enthusiastic without being intimidating, sensitive to kids' feelings, and genuinely enjoy your time with them. NFL FLAG is for the children.

01You're a teacher, not a drill sergeant. Your job doesn't depend on winning — it depends on helping kids improve.
02Never compromise the safety and welfare of the children.
03Be patient and don't push kids past their limits. Football should be fun, not another pressure.
04Care more about players as people than as athletes.
05Encourage big dreams and stay positive — negative comments are remembered far longer than praise.
06Remember the rules exist to protect players and set a standard for competition.
07Never teach deliberate misconduct or put opponents at risk.
08Model good sportsmanship and keep a low profile so the kids are the focus.
09Honor the trust parents and players place in you; you shape their experience.
10Measure success by your players' respect and growth, not your record.