Professionals who work with children in athletics cite these characteristics as vital to successfully coaching youth sports:

• Focus on fun. Ensure the players have a good time, while coaching them on basic skills.
• Know the fundamentals. While youth coaches don't need to know a lot of details of a sport, they do need to be well versed in the basics of the game.
• Model good sportsmanship. Kids imitate adults; display a positive attitude about the sport.
• Be positive. Good coaches are positive and upbeat on the field. Kids feed off enthusiasm.
• Be prepared. Have a lesson plan for the session to keep the kids' attention and involvement on track.
• Keep it simple. Young children have short attention spans. Have players do drills that are quick and easy.
• Treat your child as a team member. Avoid the extremes of being too harsh or too kind with your own child on the team.
• Look at individuals. Measure improvements of each player as the season progresses. Praise accomplishments.
• Communicate at age-appropriate levels. Keep explanations simple; demonstrate skills; ask questions to make sure they're understanding the skills and drills of a game.
• Ensure safety of children. Check the field and court for foreign objects; review basic first aid skills.