1. Loyalty - Bear true faith and allegiance to your family, your school, your team, and the league.
2. Duty - Fulfill your obligations (Parents, school, and to the team).
3. Respect - Treat people as they should be treated.
4. Selfless Service - Put the welfare of your teammates before your own.
5. Honor - Live up to all of your Family, League, and Team values.
6. Integrity - Do what’s right, legally and morally.
7. Personal Courage - Face fear, danger, or adversity [physical or moral].

NOT only is this the United States Army core values, but it is a way to live your life. It is important that we teach the importance of of these values to our children. LDRSHIP is Melbourne NFL Youth Flag Football League's coaching program developed to teach young athletes how to use sports as a gateway to understanding, and applying the core character values, specifically Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage (L.D.R.S.H.I.P.), which are essential to success throughout sports and life.

“Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence…If you’re in control, they’re in control.”

—Tom Landry, Head Coach Dallas Cowboys (1960-88)

The debate is infamous, are leaders born or made? I argue that leadership is a skill that is a part of all of our personalities, it is either muffled or further developed by our environment. In youth sports, leaders will emerge early, as these are the kids that will display LDRSHIP values and characteristics. For youth football coaches, it is important to identify and prepare your football leaders early, as soon as your first week of practices. These are the kids that you will rely on this football season. Here are the top 10 football leadership characteristics:

Here are the characteristics that will assist you to evaluate your kids and distinguish the leader(s) on your pee wee football team-

Youth Football Leaders will..

1. Present the right body language. At practice, these are the kids that will be the first to line up for drills.
2. Predefine the results they would like to create. It could be personal or team goals. Leaders set attainable, and sometimes ridiculously challenging goals and prepare themselves to accomplish them.
3. See potential in everyone. Consistently acting supportive of all teammates, will selflessly spend extra time assisting the MPPs (minimum play players).
4. Will not rely on external forces for motivation. Outside sources are fine, but for a youth sports leader, all the motivation needed comes from their desire to do well.
5. Are results focused, they define goals to achieve. These kids truly want to win and will do the preparation necessary to succeed.
6. Captures and holds attention of the team. Whether it is charisma, or just that voice that other kids naturally gravitate to.
7. Holds his team to a high standard. Isn’t afraid to point out deficiencies, while also presenting ways to improve.
8. Have a quiet confidence. Never gets too emotional, remains at an even keel.
9. Listens and communicates well.  Isn’t afraid to speak up. Leaders are often the eyes and ears of the coaching staff on the football field.
10. Likes to read and excels in the classroom. On the football field, they asks the right questions and have the desire to learn.
11. Fearlessly steps up to the plate, and are prepared to carry their team. These kids are tough!!!

“Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”

—Vince Lombardi, Head Coach Green Bay Packers (1959-67), Washington Redskins (1969)