1) Let the wind/current be your "friend". Use it to help you control the boat.
2) Never approach a dock/piling faster than you are willing to hit it......... go slow!
3) Have your crew "ready" with lines attached to the boat and boat hook(s) in hand.
4) Before you attempt to dock, size up the wind direction & strength, current, obstacles (other boats, pilings, etc).
5) Before you begin, fully brief your crew on just what you want them to do and when. This helps to eliminate confusion
during docking.
6) Your spring line is usually your best friend. Tossing the spring line to a guy on the dock allow him to help control the whole boat. He can pin the boat to the dock with just that one line.......then you can organize the other lines.
7) When shifting, make sure that you have recieved the gear that you have selected. I have "thought" that it went into N when in fact it has not!