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Seven Sports, One Whistle

Coaching youth sports, made survivable

Plays, practice plans, and sanity for volunteer youth coaches. Practical guides written by coaches, for the parent who just got handed a roster.

Latest from the sideline

About First Whistle Sports and our YouTube channel. First Whistle Sports is a youth sports coaching brand. We publish free coaching drill and play videos to our own YouTube channel. To do that we use the First Whistle Sports application, a private tool that connects through Google only to our own First Whistle Sports YouTube account, in order to upload our videos and organize them into playlists. It does not access, read, or store data from any other person's Google or YouTube account. For details see our Privacy Policy and Terms.
Flag Football

The 5 Easiest 5v5 Flag Football Plays for 8U (That Actually Work)

Five dead-simple 5v5 flag football plays for 8U teams, with the one coaching point that makes each play work. No football degree required.

June 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Basketball

Coaching Youth Basketball in Half a Gym (or Less)

How to run a real youth basketball practice in half a gym or one hoop. Stations of four, every-kid-a-ball warmups, and five drills built for tight space.

June 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Hockey

Youth Hockey Training Without Extra Ice Time: The Driveway System

How young hockey players build elite hands and a real shot in the driveway. The under $100 setup, the 100 pucks a week mindset, and what actually transfers to the ice.

June 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Flag Football

Your First Flag Football Practice: The No-Panic Plan

A complete 60 minute first practice plan for new youth flag football coaches. What to do, in what order, and the three things to skip entirely.

June 8, 2026 · 3 min read
Soccer

U8 Soccer Drills: Why Every Kid Needs a Ball (and What to Run)

The every-kid-a-ball principle that fixes most U8 soccer practices, five drills that are secretly games, and the three things to cut from practice entirely.

June 7, 2026 · 4 min read
Flag Football

QB Wristbands in Youth Flag Football: Play Calling That Actually Works

How to set up QB wristband play cards for a youth flag football team, what size inserts to buy, and the numbering system that ends sideline chaos.

June 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Baseball

Your First Tee Ball Practice: A Minute by Minute Plan That Actually Works

A complete minute by minute first tee ball practice plan for brand new coaches. Names, throwing, grounders, tee stations, and a base running game kids beg to repeat.

June 6, 2026 · 4 min read
Volleyball

Volleyball Rotations Explained So Simply Your Whole Bench Will Get It

The clearest explanation of youth volleyball rotations you will find. Six zones, one rule, when players actually move, and how to teach it with poly spots.

June 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Coaching Tips

Equal Playing Time in Youth Sports: How to Keep It Fair (and Parents Happy)

A practical system for fair, equal playing time in youth sports. Three simple rules, how to plan substitutions before the game, how to track minutes across a season, and how to talk to parents.

June 1, 2026 · 4 min read
Hockey

How to Run a Youth Sports Practice Kids Actually Enjoy (Any Sport)

The universal principles for running a youth sports practice kids love, in any sport. Stations over lines, one cue per drill, end on a win, names first, and games instead of lectures.

May 31, 2026 · 4 min read
Lacrosse

The 10 Minute Wall Ball Routine That Makes Any Youth Lacrosse Player

A simple 10 minute wall ball routine for youth lacrosse. Why wall ball is the cheat code for stick skills, the exact strong hand, weak hand, quick stick, and behind the back reps, plus how to track progress.

May 30, 2026 · 4 min read
Baseball

5 Youth Baseball Throwing Drills That Fix Almost Everything

Five simple youth baseball throwing drills that fix the most common problems. Turn step throw, the four seam grip, wall throws, long toss, and target games, with one clear cue each.

May 29, 2026 · 4 min read
Baseball

How to Coach Tee Ball When You Know Nothing About Baseball

A total beginner guide to coaching tee ball with zero baseball background. The five things that actually matter, what to ignore, how to run practice, and how to survive game day.

May 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Coaching Tips

Coaching Your Own Kid: How to Do It Without Wrecking the Season (or the Car Ride Home)

An honest guide to coaching your own kid in youth sports. Treating them the same, the car ride rule, handling the hard moments, and knowing when to step back.

May 26, 2026 · 4 min read
Basketball

Teaching Youth Basketball Shooting Form Without Ruining It

How to teach youth basketball shooting form the right way. Lower the hoop, form over makes, the one-hand drill, footwork, and why shooting range has to be earned.

May 25, 2026 · 4 min read
Soccer

Your First Soccer Practice for U6 and U8: A Stress Free Plan

A minute by minute plan for your first U6 or U8 soccer practice. Every kid a ball, simple dribble games, the first forty minutes, and what to skip entirely.

May 24, 2026 · 4 min read
Flag Football

How to Teach a Kid to Catch a Football (the Drills That Work)

A coach's guide to teaching kids to catch a football. Hands position, watching it in, soft toss progression, catching on the move, and killing the body catch.

May 23, 2026 · 4 min read
Flag Football

Coaching 6v6 Flag Football Defense: Flag Pulling and Staying With Your Kid

A youth coach's guide to 6v6 flag football defense. Flag pulling technique, simple man coverage, the rusher's job, and why defense at this age is mostly hustle.

May 22, 2026 · 4 min read
Coaching this season?

Playbooks, practice packs, wristband systems, and eight week training plans for seven youth sports, built for real volunteer coaches. Printable, instant, done.

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