finding motivation in youth athletes

Tentative players can be a result of two things IMO, confusion or intimidation. If these kids are not "ready" for the speed of the game because they are "new" to the game, then I would probably think it is a bit of both at work.

That is extremely normal. I have started programs from scratch, and regardless of the athlete's size, if they aren't used to collisions, they won't start accelerating into them, usually until they are well into a season. It clicks differently for each kid, but it does happen. Sometimes it can take a good full season to get them acclimated.

If these kids are "new" as you say, then you really need to dial back your expectations for this season, and focus on building football players, not a scheme. These kids aren't football players yet.

Focus on encouraging every step any individual player takes towards acceleration on a hit, profusely. Create contexts where coaching is less important and just playing is more. The best plays ever made, were made in the sandlot, without coaches around. These kids have never played sandlot football like we did, so they have to learn to do it on some level. You are really forced to step back to bring them forward. I am not suggesting you are a threat, or anything, it is just that they have no foundation for the game, period, much less being taught a scheme with coaching. Sometimes a different atmosphere, can click for them..

Play scrimmages 8 on 8, and let the kids call their own plays using your stuff, use 3 linemen, etc. like arena ball. I did this as a reward for hard work, and as a way to find out who my real leaders were. I would see players come out of their shell when they were put in a slightly different situation.

I did have some kids out of position, etc. but I would play referee, and control the environment. It created some fun dynamics. We would put the ball at the 25 and give each team 4 plays to score, or we would go full field games. It varied, but we made it fun. We coached very little, unless the kid was doing something unsafe, or there were attitudes - which there always was a few= they were competing. It was just another way to do it.

I would also have them go no pads and play "sandlot", two hand touch. This would accelerate their play on the field. Same concept, but with flag football rules. The goal was the same - get them playing faster, by not thinking so much, and just playing.

Remember, you are building football players this season, so you may have to sacrfice some "team" time, and play reps to do this, but it gets the guys to engage more.

Of course, it does require valuable practice time to engage these things, but the kids loved it, they were motivated by it, and it was a good reward for work given.

Just some ideas, good luck.