Most coaches don’t fully realize how influential they are, especially at this age.
From birth to around age 7, parents are the strongest influence in a child’s life.
But from roughly ages 7 to 12, something shifts.
During this window, coaches can have as much and sometimes even more impact than parents.
That’s not pressure.
That’s opportunity.
I believe one of the most valuable things a coach can do is take just two minutes out of every practice to help kids learn how to:
- Manage emotions
- Do difficult things
- Respond to mistakes
- Support teammates
- Keep going when things feel uncomfortable
This isn’t about speeches or lectures.
It’s about short, intentional moments that quietly shape how kids see themselves.
Why two minutes actually works
Two minutes might not sound like much, but it’s powerful.
- Kids this age are listening (even when they don’t look like it)
- Short messages land better than long talks
- Repetition builds habits and culture
- It connects life skills directly to the game they love
We recently shared a 12-week lesson plan based on The Four Agreements, showing how its ideas can be applied to youth sports. The response from coaches and parents confirmed something we already suspected:
Coaches want to help kids grow, not just as players, but as people.
You don’t need to start from scratch
One of the biggest barriers for coaches is time.
That’s where AI can help, not by replacing your voice, but by helping you organize ideas faster.
A simple approach:
- Choose a book or philosophy you respect
- Ask AI to turn it into short, age-appropriate lessons
- Deliver it in your own words, your own style
Think of AI as an assistant, not a scriptwriter.
Example prompt coaches can use:
Create a 10–12 week lesson plan for 9–10 year old athletes. Each week should include a 2-minute coach talk focused on emotional control, resilience, effort, teamwork, and doing hard things. Keep the language simple, practical, and connected to sports.
From there, tweak it so it sounds like you.
Books that translate really well to coaching
You don’t need to teach an entire book.
One idea per week is more than enough.
Here are a few great starting points:
- The Four Agreements – responsibility, effort, mindset
- Mindset – growth mindset in kid-friendly terms
- Atomic Habits – consistency, small improvements, showing up
- The Boys in the Boat – perseverance and team-first thinking
- Grit – sticking with hard things
Each of these can be broken down into simple, practical ideas kids can understand and apply on the field.
A great free resource for coaches
Another excellent resource is the YouTube channel Parenting with Sean.
It’s full of grounded, real-world advice on:
- Emotional regulation
- Discipline without shame
- Building connection and trust
Many of those lessons translate directly to coaching youth athletes.
Why this matters more than wins
Wins fade.
Records get forgotten.
Trophies collect dust.
But the way a coach helped a kid handle frustration, fear, or failure.
If you’re coaching 9–10 year olds, you’re coaching during a critical window of development.
Two intentional minutes per practice can change how a child approaches challenges for years to come.
That’s a responsibility worth embracing and a legacy worth building.