I am still really enjoying my placement with coach my sport. My mentor and other coaches have been a great help in making me feel more confident. Each week lesson plans are sent out b my mentor so that I am able to see what sessions were going to be taking place that week.
This week I helped out with the red, orange and green groups. The red group started off by warming up and working on their coordination. The task involved jumping from hoop to hoop with both feet and clapping at the same time. As this group are aged between 3 and 4 years old it was challenging for them to get the hang of at first. After a few practice turns, they were all able to do it. After this they moved on to a game where they had to use their balance and coordination again. A ball was rolled towards them and they had to open their legs and let the ball pass through. Again, this was challenging to begin with but with practice, all of the group were able to do it. The games were adapted and made more challenging when the group were ready to move on.
The orange group were next, the first task involved them using team work. Using two polls, they had to pick a ball up together, walk to the next hoop, drop the ball and then catch it once it bounced using the polls. They then had to go to the next cone and balance the ball on the top. Once everyone had a few practice rounds it was turned into a competition. This motivated the children to all work harder so that they could be back first. They then moved onto another team work activity which allows them to build skills working with others. At they end they played a competitive game where they had to move hoops around using a poll, when the ‘secret word’ was shouted they had to run to the coach who had shouted it. The last person remaining won the game. The children all enjoyed the competitive element in this game. The green group followed this session afterwards but it was adapted and made harder.
At the end of each session a ‘player of the week’ trophy is given out, they get the chance to take that trophy home for the week, I think this is such a good way to encourage them all to do their best every session.
Your placement sounds really fun! The games sound really interesting and will give you great coaching skills when you are having to adjust the game to suit the age group and when you’re encouraging them to participate and try their best. The ‘player of the week’ trophy is a great idea as it will make the kids try harder and work harder! I hope you continue to enjoy your placement in the coming weeks. – Amy
The session plans being sent out to you is a really good help. I also like the player of the week trophy idea. Sounds great!
Glad you have enjoyed it – shannon