NL Volunteer Coaching

Next Level Coaching Guidelines

Next Level Way

Next Level Way is our way of interacting with families and participants.  Building blocks of Next Level Way is creating an environment that is emotionally and physically safe, has positive relationships (caring adults/supportive peers), physical activity (frequent/moderate-vigorous/varied), youth participation (giving kids voice, choice, and leadership), and skill building that is engaging, challenging, and fun.

All parents and or volunteers that desire to be a coach must attend NL Coaches Clinic.  We believe that all parents and volunteers have great intentions in being an exceptional coach.  But coaching is harder than it looks.  It is the coach that creates a lasting impression on the experience of a young participant.  Since good coaches are vital to having a successful league, we prepare you through Next Level Way Coaches Clinic.  You’ll receive a coaches guidelines booklet and also a sample playbook for football.  If you can be encouraging, inclusive, and look to bring out the best in each participant, you can be a coach!  Being an expert in a particular sport is not required…we can support you with various volunteers that have coached and or played before to get you off to a successful start!   

To enroll in NL coaching clinic, click here: Volunteer Coach Form


Following information is taken from NFL Youth Flag Football


General Youth Coaching Tips

Coaching is an extremely important responsibility. A good coach always places the best interests of a player before winning.

Coaching youth sports is a difficult job because parents expect professional results from people who are mostly volunteers. High school, college and pro coaches start as assistants and work their way up through years of intense professional training.

The players and their parents have placed you in a position of leadership, and you have a responsibility to give them your best effort. Additionally, this football experience will play a significant factor in determining whether the players continue participating in football.

If you follow the coaching guidelines and general principles below, the players and their parents will be better served.


Coaching Tips

Whether you are an experienced coach or a novice taking the reins of your first team, your main goal should be to create a fun and safe learning environment for your players. Many of the skills your players will practice and play with are just like those of their NFL heroes. Feel free to emphasize this connection to the real-life game!


Everyone Plays

NFL FLAG games were designed to make it easy for every player to participate in their team's success. While size and skill certainly come into play when the action starts, your coaching should emphasize this aspect of "working together.”


Sportsmanship Rules

Help your players be good sports. After a game, shake hands with or do a cheer for the other team. Applaud good play by both sides. Treat officials with respect. While imitating you, your team won't even recognize the good lesson they’re learning.


Let Them Play Football

The temptation to be another Don Shula or Bill Walsh will have to wait. This is NFL FLAG. While teaching football skills and strategies is important, keep your lessons as simple as possible. As your team grasps the basics, move on to more advanced ideas. Overloading young players with too much information too early can cause confusion for them and headaches for you.


Ten Coaching Guidelines

  • #1 A coach should be enthusiastic without being intimidating. They should be sensitive to the children's feelings and genuinely enjoy spending time with them. A coach should be dedicated to serving children and understand that football provides physical and emotional growth for its participants. Remember, NFL FLAG is for the children.
  • #2 A coach needs to realize that they are a teacher, not a drill sergeant. They should help children learn and work to improve their skills. Personal gains are never a consideration. The job does not depend on winning. The best interest of the child transforms into the best interests of the game.
  • #3 The safety and welfare of the children never can be compromised. A coach will consider these factors above all others.
  • #4 Be patient. Don't push children beyond limits in regards to practice. Children have many daily pressures – the football experience should not be one of them. Playing football should be fun.
  • #5 Care more about the players as people than as athletes. The youth football program is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
  • #6 A coach should encourage players to dream and set lofty goals. It is important to remain positive and refrain from discouraging remarks. Negative comments are remembered far more often than positive affirmations.
  • #7 Remember that the rules of the game are designed to protect the participants, as well as to set a standard for competition. Never circumvent or take advantage of the rules by teaching deliberate misconduct. A coach who puts his or her opponents' team at risk should not be involved with children.
  • #8 Be the first person to demonstrate good sportsmanship. Take a low profile during the game and allow the kids to be the center of attention.
  • #9 Parents and players place a lot of trust and confidence in the coach. The coach has an important role in molding the athletic experience of the child.
  • #10 A coach can measure success by the respect he gets from his or her players, regardless of victories or defeats. Children who mature socially and physically while participating in sports are the best indication of good coaching.