Today, sport is present in the lives of a large number of children and young people, and structured sports programs are part of every culture. However, research shows that three out of four children who start training at the age of 6 to 7 give up before entering puberty or at the latest by the age of 15. Therefore, the phenomenon of giving up sports is increasingly being studied within the framework of scientific research into the psychology of sports. In the Republic of Croatia, a large number of children and young people participate in sports programs within sports or school sports clubs. The reason why children and young athletes play sports is the specific relationship they build with their coach, as well as the stimulating climate that the coach creates and promotes in sports. Before considering the role of coaches in the process of training children and young people, the paper explains the developmental characteristics of children and young athletes, and their psychological readiness for competitive sports. The above is important because there is a danger of excessive pressure on children in sports, which can consequently lead to their feeling of failure and insecurity. Therefore, it is important to understand the psychological processes and stages of complete development that children and young athletes go through in order to adapt to their needs and ensure optimal conditions for the development of their sports skills. It is also important for coaches to be aware of the educational influence they have on children and young athletes, and to develop a positive climate in which children feel safe, supported and motivated. All this contributes to the creation of a healthy and stimulating sports environment for children and young athletes that can enable them to achieve their highest personal potential in sports as well as in life in general.