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MJT has pretty much nailed the key points for you.
The only things I can think to add to that are that I always start and end the pregame talk to them with an emphasis on safety - drop the sticks and run if a play comes their way.
I also make sure they have a little extra reaction time by running the chains 6 feet off the sideline. I always set up a new 1st on the sideline, but then have the crew slide back 6 feet. A useful extra benefit of this, is that it helps keep the coaches back out of my way when the chains are in front of the team area.
A final thing I say to make them feel part of the crew is I ask 'em to cover my £$% by refusing to move if they can see a flag and I mistakenly tell them to move. Sadly a lot of guys simply forget to give multiple peeps on their whistles when they throw a flag, so I ask the chain crew to help me out by adding 3 more pairs of eyes to look for flags.
Finally, I use whatever time I have before kickoff to run them through a few practice 1st down setups to get them into a rythm.
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Sorry Death, you lose.... It was Professor Plum!
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