One of the most important roles of a coach is motivating young athletes and inspiring them to set and achieve lofty goals on the field. To accomplish this feat, coaches should emphasize individual and team growth over winning, and they should point to both personal and communal successes after every game. This emphasis on the positive often results in a competitive team as players try to outperform themselves rather than competing with players on the opposing team.
Coaches should look at themselves as teachers and build open, honest relationships with each player. Individualized attention allows players to receive direct feedback on their own performance and creates a degree of expectation that may encourage them to push themselves harder, whether during practices or actual games. Coaches should clearly explain why players are completing certain drills. This way, they understand what to focus on for their personal growth and the betterment of the team.