Be Prepared

Not like in the Boy Scouts or anything like that... well, on second thought - maybe like that. There will be some tangible, Earthly goods that will make your coaching gig significantly easier. Here's the breakdown, by sport...

Soccer: I always buy my own soccer ball to use at practices (and during games when necessary). This way, you can easily demonstrate a drill without constantly borrowing Little Sally's ball. You can also participate in the drills with the kids, which they enjoy. Another essential thing is a set of 4 or 8 small cones. These are the little orange or brightly-colored ones in any store for like $2. They are invaluable for setting up boundaries, obstacles, or marking spots on the field. I'd also suggest buying your own goal (or two). They have collapsible ones now, which are pretty nice. These are a little more money, but the advantage is you'll always have a goal to shoot at or defend wherever you practice.

Football: First thing here is also a ball - for both practice and the games. Get the right size, of course, and make sure it's made of good, durable material - preferably other than rubber. Do they still make those? I remember those from when I was a kid... Next thing you'll need is the cones (see above). If the league doesn't provide them, also buy yourself a set of flags - 1 set per player, probably 1-2 extra sets. Nothing worse than not being able to practice basic offense or flag pulling 'cuz you don't have any...

Basketball: Ball. For this, you can go with the youth size - especially if you're coaching your own kid. Otherwise, you could choose to get the full-sized ball for yourself in demonstrations... Cones are ok here, but not necessary - you can use court markings for drills and boundaries unless you're on a random hunk of asphalt... It doesn't really make sense to buy your own hoops here - use those in a gym, park, or school (or your own home, if you're so inclined) - but hoops are large, bulky, difficult to transport, and I consider the portable ones to be somewhat dangerous.

Baseball: Buy several "tee-ball" or soft-core baseballs. At least 5-6. They'll get lost, too, but you'll always be using all you have. I'd suggest owning your own glove - especially in coached pitched leagues where you have good players. Those liners come back fast - "soft-core" or not... I'd suggest having at least 1 good aluminum bat for you (practice) and the team. It's also not a bad idea to carry around your own rubber or plastic bases. This makes your practice more portable. Baseball hat and sunglasses help in sunny weather, too. You'll be surprised how small that ball is when you're looking for it in the air...

General things you should have include a stopwatch, whistle, and marker-board. The marker-board is usually in the form of a clipboard, but it's great for diagramming plays or for drawing out a drill.

With all of your gear, you may look like a pack mule, but you'll be ready - and eliminate some of your needless hassles.

Size Matters

Something that you may not really consider in coaching young kids is the size of the ball used in practice or the game.  Of course, this is a pretty big deal, and should be taken care of before the season so it's a non-issue.

For baseball, it's pretty standard - there's one size for baseballs.  But use the softer "tee balls" for tee ball and coach pitch leagues.  These still have an authentic baseball feel, but hurt way less when they hit legs, arms, and bodies.  The kids should use gloves that are proportional to their body and hand size.  For the 4 through 6-year-old set, a 9" or 9 1/2" glove is probably the best choice.  This will cover tee ball and perhaps the first coach pitched experience.  Ages 6-7 should probably move up to a 10" glove - and from there, the size should move up as the child continues to grow.  Batting helmets should also be sized appropriately - snug, but not too tight.  I would recommend spending the $20-$30 to buy your child their own helmet.  This saves a lot of trouble for kids with larger or smaller heads, and also alleviates the need to use the often-nasty helmets provided by the league.

In soccer, a Size 3 ball is pretty standard for PK through the first or second grade.  This will make a lot of sense the first time you walk on the field and compare the larger, competition balls with the smaller Size 3's.  The Size 5 ball will feel like a boulder compared to the 3.  Unlike baseball, where equipment can be expensive, a soccer ball is usually around $10-$15, and it's best for each kid to have their own.

For football, the under 8 set will be most comfortable with a "peewee" size ball.  This is pretty much the smallest legitimate-looking ball sold at most sporting good stores.  Keep in mind, though, that discount stores like Target and Wal-Mart also carry a decent selection of gear.  If you're child is playing tackle football under age 8 - first of all, be careful, and secondly consult the league and make sure your child has all of the proper equipment in the correct size.  Not much on that here - I'm a fan of flag football for the younger kids.  In either case, make sure you buy a properly-sized mouthguard.  These range in cost from $2-$30 (seriously).  I have always personally worn and used the $2 ones, but do your research and decide for yourself.  Keep in mind that you can usually trim the mouth guards to size, but it's difficult to add material back once you've made it too small...

If your child is playing basketball, be sure to check the rules for ball size, as different leagues will have different guidelines.  Through second grade, you'll probably use a "Youth" sized ball, which is smaller than a women's ball.  It is best to use the recommended size, as it will be easier for the kids to dribble and shoot - they'll also develop better technique that will stay with them as they grow (and move on to use larger balls.  

Understanding the equipment is another subtle key to success in youth sports.  Although there may be added cost, it's offset by performance on the field in practice and for games.

Good luck.