This article is not about the best coaching techniques, but is about encouraging and influencing kids in a way that will serve all of them for their entire lives. The vast majority of kids play a sport to have fun and enjoy the sport and other kids. Very very few of these kids have a plan to become a sports professional.
Besides having fun, there are many learning opportunities for kids that will serve them very well for the rest of their lives. Some of the more important learning a child can get from a sports team experience include learning to win gracefully; gaining confidence by having tried their best and still losing; working together towards a common goal; respect for their coaches and other adults, respecting other kids feelings; social graces; learning skills such as the value of focus and attention; and leadership skills. In my 30+ year-career, I've noticed that adults who played team sports worked better with groups on projects.
Keeping kids involved and enjoying themselves (at least much of the time) sometimes requires a little creativity. I remember a Little League team I was coaching that got tired of the constant usual fielding and batting drills. So I had to quickly come up with a way to work on some needed skills while having a fun activity for all the kids. So we created a version of "monkey in the middle" that taught several base running skills & judgment. The kids didn't think of it as a drill, but as a game. The long practice ended with everyone smiling and we played better baseball as well.
There always seems to be a few kids with special needs. I don't mean the typical special-need kids that is easily recognizable. I always had some kids that perhaps didn't have enough of something at home. I recognized these needs by getting to know the kids and observing them in practice and at games. Mostly the special need was for some extra friendship & attention, and sometimes a little advice. Some of the hints I looked for included kids without parents in the stands at games, kids without one parent or rarely saw one of their parents, withdrawn kids, and even shy kids that just need some encouragement in socializing.
Coaches are not psychologists. However, they are advisors and can be a friend. And sometimes, some of our kids just need a ear to talk to, some special attention, or a little extra advice. And this can make all the difference.