If you've been asked to coach a kids' football team, it can be intimidating to know where to start. Between the various positions, the complicated plays and the different rules, teaching kids how to play football may seem like a monumental task. Taking it one step at a time can help you tackle this responsibility and help kids have fun.
Step 1
Evaluate each kid's individual talents, strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the basic football skills of passing, running and catching.
Step 2
Assign each player to a particular position or positions---such as quarterback, running back, defensive back, linebacker, lineman or tight end---according to their skill level and individual talents.
Step 3
Teach the rules of football to the players, including what to do before the snap, how to line up correctly and what actions---such as holding---are not permitted under the rules.
Step 4
Develop players' fundamentals by running them through position-specific drills during practice. Have position players focus on skills that are unique to their position as well as overall conditioning drills for every player.
Step 5
Teach plays designed to utilize your team's strengths and mask its weaknesses. If your team has strong and effective running backs, focus on running plays that take advantage of that. Practice only a handful of plays in order to prevent confusion among your young players.
Step 6
Run scrimmages in practice that simulate actual game action in order to help players acclimate to the pace and specific things that go on during the game. Stop the scrimmage periodically to instruct, correct and praise players for following instructions and making quality plays.
