This article has been translated into Greek and can be found at

This is an open letter to Julie and to other interested coaches. This letter also applies to club organizers. If you haven't read his first or second response to Julie please do.

Dear Julie,

To make a youth running program successful, the coach must be committed to the team. I think the coach must be completely committed to the team or club's development over the long term. The coach also needs to have a vision which he/she can communicate to the team. This vision must be exciting and worthy of the team's commitment. Determine the level of committment you can make and communicate it clearly to the team. You don't have to practice 7 days a week, you just need to do what you say you'll do. To achieve lofty goals, teams need to set up short term goals which are the steps in the direction of the long term shared vision. Achieving short term goals enroute to long term goals is exciting, and fun!

1. Commit to the team or club. The kids will know the level of your commitment.

2. Set short term and long term goals.

3. Keep it fun.

4. Have a party when certain goals are reached.

5. Monitor the progress of every team member.

Be very gentle and careful with beginners. You can easily scare them away. Then when they really like it, you must hold the reigns. They will want to run to much!!!! Believe it.

Note from the kid's editor: Do you have any questions about your child's running program? Send them to Carol at carol.kids@rodale.com. I will forward them to a coach to answer your questions.

Feel free to email the kid's editor at carol.kids@rodale.com with comments on this important column by Coach Mick.