This document emphasizes that coaching is fundamentally a teaching philosophy, aiming to improve the effectiveness of youth football coaches. It provides ten practical tips for coaches, including setting expectations, being organized, effective communication, and teaching fundamental skills. The document highlights the importance of imparting life lessons and values that extend beyond the sport, ultimately measuring success by player retention and progression.

1. Coaching is Teaching at its Best!
Bud Boughton
Former College Football Player and Coach

2. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A Coaching Philosophy…
“Coaching is Teaching at its Best!”
Doyt L. Perry
Head Football Coach
Bowling Green State University
1955-1964
77 Wins, 11 Losses, 5 Ties
6 MAC Championships

3. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A Coaching Philosophy…
“How can I be a better football coach?”
translates to
“How can I be a more effective teacher?”

4. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
And Why Should This Matter
To You?

5. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
And Why Should This Matter
To You?
Because Youth Football Coaches
ARE the future of the game!

6. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A Simple Survey…
How many of you remember…
Your first youth football coach?
Your Middle School or Junior High
football coach?

7. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Coaching is Teaching at its Best!
Ten Tips to Help YOU
Be a Better Youth
Football Coach

8. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #1 – Set Expectations
• Coaches/Support Staff
• Players
• Parents (In Writing)
Effective Leadership Begins with
Effective Communication

9. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Parent Expectations
Consider this…
971,000 – Number of High School Football Seniors that
graduate yearly.
54,000 – Number of Collegiate Football Players (all levels).
6,000 – Number of Collegiate Players actively scouted.
340 – Number of Collegiate Players at NFL Combine
224 – Number of College Players Drafted
150 – Number of NFL players from the high school
pool that will make it four or more seasons
in the NFL.
Coach and Athletic Director Magazine, August 2008

10. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #1 – Set Expectations
• For YOURSELF
• Hold Yourself Accountable
• Lead by Example
• Take the High Road – Set the Tone
Effective Leadership Begins with
Effective Communication

11. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #2 – Be Organized
• Have a Practice Plan for Every Practice
• Make Sure Assistant Coaches are
Organized
• Communicate the Plan
• Make Sure you Have a Game Day Plan
You’ll Get More Done
In Less Time!

12. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #3 – Communicate On Your
Players’ Level
• Explain Your Terminology
• Teach using Visual Aids
• Remember, LISTENING is a
Communication Skill

13. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #4 – Be a Student of the Game
• Use Resources Available to You
USA Football Coaches Handbook
USA Football website
(www.usafootball.com)
• Bishop Dullaghan Football Camps
• Attend Coaching Clinics
• Visit High School/College practices

14. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #5 – Go to Practice with the
RIGHT Attitude!
• Be Enthusiastic! It’s Contagious!
• Hustle Everywhere!
• Attitude is Everything!
• Have Fun!
Be There!

15. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #6 – Teach and Coach
FUNDAMENTALS!
• Blocking and Tackling
• Passing and Catching the Football
• Kicking the Football
• Proper Stance by Position
• Run Quality Drills Throughout Practice

16. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #7 – Coach with a “Team First”
Coaching Philosophy
• Football – The greatest TEAM sport
ever invented. Make sure your kids
understand this.
• Every player has a leadership role to
play
• Every player is an MVP.

17. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #8 – Coach the Heart
• Teach the right values…
Character Education
Respect
Win with Class
Gracious in Defeat
• Love thy Opponent?

18. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A Perfect Example
Tom Sappington, Head Coach at
Upper Arlington Hastings MS
(Previously at Upper Arlington
Jones MS)
25 years coaching football
17 years at the Middle School level
Last 5 years – 30 wins, 5 losses including
a 26 game winning streak over 4 years.

19. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #9 – Remember, It’s NOT
about you.
• Players win games, Coaches lose
games.
• We are here for the players we coach
• Keep the Win/Loss thing in
perspective

20. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Tip #10 – Have Fun!
• Make practice and your game days fun
• Laugh when you feel like laughing
• Develop positive relationships with
players and their parents
• Live the moments!
• Enjoy the experience

21. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A couple random thoughts…
“Understand that the life lessons you
teach your athletes will carry far beyond
the playing field. Preparing your players
for competition entails imparting values
and strategies that will impact them long
beyond their playing days.”
USA Football Coaches Handbook

22. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A couple random thoughts…
Your success as a youth/Middle School
football coach is best measured by how
many of your players either come back
to play another season with you or
go on to play football at the next
level.

23. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
A couple random thoughts…
You may be nobody to the world, but to
someone, you may be their world.
Always remember, the things we say and
do as coaches can leave lasting
impressions. THINK.

24. Coaching is Teaching at its Best
Thank You
Bud Boughton
Office – 317-885-9431
E-Mail: CoachB@budboughton.com
Go to: www.budboughton.com