Here are few things I've learned along the way.

- some kids will jump right in, some are scared to death (of you, other kids, the ball, etc.). Do everything you can to not be intimidating. This is a really new thing for all of these kids. For example, before we ever start any practices, I gather the kids around and sit down on the ground with them and chat, make jokes, etc. I tell them we only have two rules on our team: 1) be nice to everyone, and 2) you have to have fun.

- Get the kids to come up with a team name together. Let it be on them and let it be as goofy as they want. Last team I coached the kids decided that our team name was "Nom Nom Cheetos!". Have them make up a cheer.

- Remember that most of the kids will know little to nothing about soccer. During our first little sit down I always talk through the most basic and obvious things. "What is this thing??" "A BALL!!"..."What do we do with it??" "KICK IT!" etc. We talk about what we try to do in soccer (score goals, stop the other team from scoring goals). I go through pretty much every body part asking the kids if they can touch the ball with that part of the body (they love when I ask about the bum).

- I then take all the kids around the field on a tour of each part of the field and we talk about what everything is.

- Every team will have a kid or two that is pretty good, some in the middle, and a couple that just don't get in there. My goal was to always make sure that every kid scores a goal during the season. We usually make it happen. Once some of the really good kids get their fill, I pull them aside and ask them to be special players to help make sure that each other kids has a chance to score by talking to them, helping them and passing to them. Seeing the pure, unadulterated joy on the faces of the kids who finally scored, and on the faces of those that HELPED them, is my favorite part of coaching that age.

- I do some other pretty goofy things. I bring my gorilla and unicorn masks and let the kids take turns wearing them during warmups, etc. Not only does it get the kids more engaged, but it makes for some really fun parent video and photo moments.

- I tell the kids and parents, and constantly remind them, that the only thing I want to happen during the season is for the kids to have a lot of fun - and want to play soccer again the next year. And if there is ever a time they aren't having fun, to please let me know right away so we can fix whatever it is.

- I usually give the kids ONE thing to work on during a half. Nothing else. At first it's simple things like not using their hands, or remembering which direction to go, etc. As the season goes on I ask them to, for example, make a pass to a teammate this half - or to try using their left foot, etc.

- Be goofy, be fun, talk at their level. Be patient, don't get mad - if a kid is being a problem, take them aside and talk calmly to them.

This was my last team - I carry my camera on the field while I'm coaching to take some fun pictures of them while they play...