1. Create a positive environment - safe, secure, inclusive, ownership, challenges, choices and enjoyment where players are relaxed and not afraid to experiment and make mistakes.
2. Meet pre-season with players and parents to agree aims and objectives and codes of conduct for payers, parents and coaches.
3. Know your team's medical needs.
4. Be open minded and continue to build your knowledge base.
5. Develop your own coaching style (try not to become a touch line screamer).
6. Set realistic expectations for yourself and the players.
7. Make sure the players have the right equipment.
8. Organize and prepare to take into account learning preference and give your players a chance to reflect on theor performance.
9. If you have assistants - delegate work so that they can develop themselves as well. Listen and act on their ideas too.
10. Remember parents come to watch THEIR children play. Give upset parents a chance to have their say.
11. Record game time / appearances so you know you are being fair to all players.
12. Use justified praise.
13. Listen actively to your players as much as you can -get to know them. Give all your players time when working with them.
14. Teach, enforce and live sportsmanship.
15. Have a philosophy to guide you - try...player centred; player driven; players first; winning second.
16. Use common sense when faced with injuries - youngsters who are not fit should not play.
17. Avoid post mortems and post match analysis but give players a chance to reflect on the game.
18. Try not to show the players everything. Sow the seeds and let them show you what they know - they may surprise you and take you further than you expected.
19. Remember selection can also mean rejection so share the starts around - everyone has to learn to be substitute.
20. Keep in mind that the higher level of play the greater the individual pressures and expectations could be.
