Kids learn through play. Football is no different.

Youth football players who have fun and are engaged are more likely to learn the skills and fundamentals that are basic to the sport.

Don’t be that coach who thinks making practice tough will only make the games easier. Teach young players, gain their trust and build their confidence to grow their love for the sport.

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Here are five ways to make football practice more fun:

1. Dynamic warmups: Set the tone right away that practice is about getting everyone involved and being on the move. Dynamic stretching gets the blood pumping and lets players get some of that early energy out, while static stretching can leave young athletes standing around from the start.

2. Less talk, more reps: Let’s be honest - nobody likes listening to long lectures. Kids have fun when they're active and moving. Keep talks to a minimum of two or three minutes at the start and end of practice. Set up what you're doing that day, give them instructions on where to go and get started. Within drills, explain it once and let them do it. Don’t look for the perfect rep right out of the box.

3. Realistic expectations: If you're coaching 10-year-olds, you can’t expect them to have the drive and retention of high school football players. Set the foundation of what you want them to do, then build upon that as the season goes on. As players develop talents, you can expand upon them. For some, drive blocking or covering one gap may be the extent of their abilities. Help them be the best they can be at those skills.

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4. Celebrate successes: Young players will make the same mistakes over and over. As coaches, be patient and correct them, but don’t harp on it. Be ready for when the breakthrough comes, because the youngster may not even realize it. Calling attention to the positive – while calmly addressing the negative – will build players’ confidence and grow their enthusiasm for the sport.

5. Smile, laugh and cheer: This is the easiest one. Young athletes feed off their coaches. If you're having fun, so will they.

This is an updated version of a blog that originally published April 3, 2015.