u/Wan-Solo

I'm new to coaching and am struggling.

I don't really know where to start in explaining the game/positions.

We play in a 7v7 middle school league, pretty low stakes and non competitive.

Of course I'd like to win and go to playoffs, but I'm hoping the girls just ultimately have fun.

I haven't really organized any 'plays', as I have very little experience.

I

have both experienced players and new to the sport players on the team.

Is there a simplified way to tell everyone who isn't quarterback to run a route?

Maybe even have the experienced players call the plays/routes in between plays?

Any advice/feedback would be much appreciated.

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I’m a second-year PE teacher and middle school coach with about 10 years of experience working with kids. Last year, I coached our boys’ flag football team (a new sport for our district) and also volunteered with girls’ flag football, basketball, and soccer.

As a newer coach with no formal coaching training, I struggle with organization and last year often winged my practices after looking up a couple drills.

I’m also not naturally assertive, intense, or particularly competitive. I want the kids to have fun, but I also want them to learn discipline and represent our school well. I could get intense when they were actually playing, but I struggled with what to say during timeouts, halftime, etc. I often felt awkward and didn’t know what to say to motivate them.

For experienced coaches: How do you structure your practices so athletes know exactly what’s expected? And how do you handle substitutions, timeouts, and halftime so the team stays focused and engaged?

Also, how do you develop that “coach mode” when being intense and authoritative doesn’t naturally fit your personality?

I’d really appreciate any practical advice, routines, resources, or lessons you’ve learned along the way.

TL;DR: I’m a newer middle school coach who struggles with organizing practices and finding my “coach mode” because I’m not naturally intense or authoritative. Experienced coaches, how do you structure practices and handle games/timeouts while keeping athletes disciplined, focused, and engaged?