Involve the children in reflecting on what they consider important before a match or competition. This builds an understanding of preparation and helps them find their own positive habits, while routines provide a sense of security to rely on.
How it works:
Before competition:
- Gather the group and ask questions to highlight positive behaviors: “What do we need to remember to give ourselves the best possible start before a match/competition?” “How do you usually prepare for a competition?”
- Let the children offer suggestions: “Encourage each other”, “Don’t give up”, “Have fun!”, “Think ‘I can do this!'” etc.
- The leader adds: “Great thoughts! We leaders also want to emphasize focusing on what we can influence and our behavior toward one another.” “What do you think constitutes good behavior toward each other during a competition?”
Summary after match/competition
- “Do you remember what we talked about? What worked well? What should we continue doing?” “How did it feel to hear your teammates cheering?”
- It is important to limit the areas of focus—select a few to follow up on over time. These can become your guiding principles, both for the participants and for the important adults surrounding the training group!
