Age-appropriate exercise that provides children and youth the opportunity to practice taking more responsibility and increasing their influence over training. Adapt the exercise according to the group’s circumstances and their experience with participation.
How it works:
Give children the opportunity to try different positions or sports disciplines. This creates a greater understanding of different aspects of the sport and gives the participants the chance to explore, while also teaching them how to best support their teammates.
- For example, ask the players “Who would like to start as goalkeeper today?”.
- Rotate positions according to a set schedule that the children can access. This makes it clear and easy for the participants to follow; furthermore, if there are participants who, for example, absolutely do not want to play in goal, you as leaders can identify this before the match and help them with their mindset, encouraging them to dare to try.
- Afterward, you have the opportunity to gather the participants’ experiences. For example: “What was it like playing there?”, “What was most fun about that position?”, “Is there anything you learned that you can take with you?”. Please help the children by reinforcing something that you as a leader noticed.
- This provides an increased understanding that all positions are important, while also allowing participants to practice trying something new.
Tip! It can be beneficial to speak with the parent group and other significant adults before the season regarding why you wish to rotate and the benefits of everyone trying all positions. Encourage them to get in touch if they have any questions.
