Video
Focus on the Skills That Matter
Description
In partnersnip with the Project Play
Prioritize and provide opportunities for direct skill building and practice
Coaches should identify and communicate the comprehensive set of skills (physical, social, emotional and cognitive) they hope to develop in their youth athletes.
PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT
- Identify and share the particular skills you are aiming to build in your athletes — whether that’s working as a team, staying motivated, empathizing with teammates or other key skills
- Encourage parents and caregivers to reinforce these skills by talking about what they are, what they mean and what these behaviors can look like at home
- Have players set goals and intentions regarding their physical, social, emotional and cognitive skill development
- Establish a circle-up ritual at the start of every practice and game and a reflection ritual at the end of every practice and game that includes discussion of the skills being prioritized
- Have conversations about how to use experiences and skills from games or practices in other settings, e.g. discuss how mistakes are a part of learning and improving