What kids learn in sports stays with them.

Teamwork. Sportsmanship. Commitment. Dedication. Education. First Team Athletics gives coaches, players, and families the tools and support to build skills and character through sports.

Explore resources
A youth soccer team gathers on the field around a kneeling coach.

Start where your team needs you.

Coaching resources

Walk into practice with a plan that keeps kids moving and gives everyone a turn.

See the practice plan

Player resources

Pick a skill to work on, reset after a mistake, and find ways to help your teammates.

Find tips for players

Character through sport

Find simple ways for players and the adults cheering them on to build respect, courage, and teamwork.

Try a team habit

Accessible coaching tools

Explore ideas for tools that help volunteers spend less time organizing and more time coaching.

Explore tool ideas
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Coaching resources

Your next practice, planned.

Try this 45-minute outline with a beginner team. Pick one skill, keep instructions short, and adapt the time and pace to your players.

  1. 5 min

    Get everyone moving

    Start with a movement game that lets every player join right away.

  2. 15 min

    Teach one skill

    Show it once, give one simple cue, then let players try in pairs or small groups.

  3. 20 min

    Put it into play

    Use a small-sided game where every player has a chance to use the skill.

  4. 5 min

    Close with the team

    Ask what got easier and invite players to name one way a teammate helped.

Resources for coaches

Soccer Basketball Flag football Baseball & softball Volleyball Tennis Track & field

Soccer

Basketball

  • Rookie practice plans Jr. NBA

    Find beginner practice plans with drills, games, and printable instructions.

Flag football

  • Flag football drills NFL FLAG

    Choose quarterback, receiver, and running drills for your next practice.

Baseball & softball

  • Coaching resources Little League

    Find practice plans and coaching materials for youth baseball and softball.

Volleyball

  • Lesson plans USA Volleyball

    Find sample sessions and activities for teaching volleyball in groups.

Tennis

Track & field

  • RunJumpThrow lesson plans USA Track & Field

    Find running, jumping, and throwing activities and sample plans for youth groups.

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Player resources

Give yourself one thing to work on.

Before your next practice or game, pick one of these ideas to try. Afterward, think about when you used it and what you’d try next time.

Resources for players

Soccer Basketball Flag football Baseball & softball Volleyball Tennis Track & field

Soccer

  • Try the Maradona turn Major League Soccer

    Watch players demonstrate a turn you can practice with a ball.

Basketball

Flag football

Baseball & softball

  • Backyard tips Little League

    Find short drills for hitting, throwing, and fielding that you can try outside practice.

Volleyball

Tennis

  • Youth tennis at home USTA Eastern

    Try activities for developing racquet and ball skills away from the court.

Track & field

  • Get ready for meet day USATF Oregon

    Learn what to bring, how check-in works, and how to prepare for your event.

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Character through sport

What we praise becomes what kids practice.

Kids learn what matters from what gets noticed at practice, on the sideline, and on the ride home. Make room to recognize the quiet things that make a team stronger.

Help a teammate

Share the ball. Praise success. Encourage effort. Be a friend. Lead by example.

At the end, ask the team “Who helped you try again today?” Give players the option to answer aloud or share with a partner.

On the way home, families can ask what made someone feel included. Players can think of one teammate they’ll invite into the next drill or game.

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Tools for coaches and parents

Less admin. More time with the team.

These are ideas for future tools. We’d start with what a volunteer can use on a phone at the field, with clear labels and easy-to-share plans.

  • Practice planner

    Put warmups, activities, and games in one shareable plan.

  • Playing-time tracker

    See who’s had a turn and who’s due for the next one.

  • Family update builder

    Draft a short note with what to bring and when to arrive.

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Our mission

Build skills and character through sports.

First Team Athletics is a youth-sports initiative that gives coaches, players, and families practical ways to help kids grow through sports. We want every young athlete to get a real chance to contribute, put them in situations to succeed, coach to their strengths, build their skills, and have people in their corner when they make a mistake.

Coaches can make room for every player. Families can cheer for effort and growth. Young athletes can look out for one another, one practice and one game at a time. Everyone wins.

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