Youth sports coaches have a unique opportunity to positively impact a child’s physical and mental health. This season, try these five high-impact strategies that can set your season up for success.

1. Be Intentional about Building Your Team

It can be tempting to jump straight in, but taking time to form a team will pay off in the long run. Start your season strong by playing games to help everyone learn names, and introduce a quick mental health moment at the start of each practice.

2. Establish Expectations

Children need clear expectations and repeated opportunities to practice them. Set consistent routines, teach expectations explicitly, and model what success looks like. When expectations are predictable, children’s behavior often becomes more predictable too.

3. Manage Big Feelings

Big feelings are part of childhood, and definitely part of youth sports! It is important to notice big feelings and respond in a mental health informed way.

4. Foster Good Sportsmanship

Good sportsmanship is about acting with respect and kindness, whether winning or losing. Build good sports by modeling what you want to see and practicing healthy responses.

5. Celebrate Effort and Growth

Sports is about more than winning and losing. Celebrating effort and growth with kids builds their resilience and confidence. Rather than focusing solely on the scoreboard, paying attention to progress helps them develop skills they will use throughout their lives.

To go deeper on each of these strategies, download our guide, “More than a Game: Mental Health Essentials for Youth Sports Coaches”.