• Introductions 

• Your goals as coach for the season

• Establishment of any assistant coaches needed

• Establish a designated team "Mom" or "Dad" to organize events such as uniform distribution, banquet organization, and a calling tree in case of schedule changes. (Recommendation: Use a group e-mail list to communicate information to team members between practices)

• Discuss practice and game time guidelines (Arrive at practice at least 5 minutes prior to start, be ready to pick up child before the end of practice, arrive at game 15 minutes prior to game time).

Other Tips:

• Match uniform sizes to players before having names printed on jerseys

• Have a practice Plan

• Get a whistle

• End promptly

• Have players help clean up after practice

• Never leave the field until you have personally seen each of your players with their parent or guardian.

• Always introduce yourself to referees and opposing coaches before games (Once the game starts, however, any communication between coaches should be done through the referee or official)

Remember:

• ALWAYS SET A GOOD EXAMPLE - NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES
   

• "There is no such thing as a 5 year old "athlete" - these are children who are only beginning to form a framework in their mind of what it means to be an athlete and to be part of a team in athletics.  The best thing you can do for them is help them develop the foundations of that framework based  in sportsmanship, teamwork, and positive attitudes"  Charles Akin