First of all, sports are about emotions. A lesser team on paper can beat a better team-emotions. New York Giants vs. New England patriots, as they say every Sunday. Coaching is not always about x and o. Your emotions and your attitude must be absorbed by your players. They will feed not only on your knowledge but also on your enthusiasm. It is your responsibility to make your players believe in themselves. This takes some time, but when it happens you will see a huge difference in a player and a team.
One of the main things to remember is that you are your coach. A master of the sport. Your players admire you, they depend on you. They need leadership, guidance, discipline, someone who genuinely cares. Don’t be a coach to satisfy your ego. You won’t last long. Because? Because you can’t fool the kids. If you find the right path, your team will absorb much more than you think possible. When you reach this level, they will crave more knowledge and gain confidence in themselves and in you.
Remember that you are responsible for setting the tone, so try to keep it positive, upbeat, and show some enthusiasm. Don’t be a dictator, it is your responsibility to teach the sport. You can’t have a do what I say, not what I do attitude. Some of your players won’t respond, making it harder to earn their respect and get the most out of them. You have to remember to admit your mistakes, no one is perfect.