If you’re just starting out on your coaching journey, or returning to the game, and looking for some advice to help you coach young players, we have three simple tips for you in this blog.

At The FA we want to inspire coaches to become excellent teachers of the game through a deeper understanding and knowledge of the young players they coach.

We also want coaches to engage children in a way that makes them feel good about themselves, their capabilities and their worth.

This starts with the experience we provide during our training sessions and matches.

So here are our three top tips to get you started:

1. Allow enjoyment

Young children come to football for a whole variety of reasons that will include a love of, or fascination with, football. It’s very important that this first experience of football, physical activity and ‘coaching’ is an enjoyable one, as it could lead to a lifelong love of being healthy and active.

How young children feel can affect their attitude towards sport and physical activity. A coach who is skilled at engaging players in an enjoyable and age-appropriate way, is likely to create an environment that children will enjoy and develop within.

2. Be positive

When working with your players, try to notice when they listen, do things well, are quick to do what you ask, help each other and get better at things.

You might say that this has nothing to do with being a football coach – but in fact, it does. It has everything to do with working effectively with young children, as it will help to shape their behaviour and attitude for the future.

Be positive where possible. Focus on what children can do, instead of reminding them of what they can’t do.

3. Smile a lot

Children are likely to form a stronger bond and relationship with people who smile (and make them smile). The development of U5s is driven (largely) by their sensory motor system – and how they ‘feel’ during this stage is very significant.

If we want the children to develop a life-long love of sport and physical activity, then this first introduction should be memorable, exciting and enjoyable.

These tips may seem simple, however, they're the key to preparing your team to play, enjoy and develop through football.

To help every child to feel safe and ready to learn, your coaching should be enthusiastic, supportive, positive and kind.

You should also make sure that you provide challenging and enjoyable activities.

By following this approach, you'll help to make football at this age a memorable experience for your players.

What would your top tips be? Leave your comments below or take the conversation over to the forums.