Working with Different Ages

Adapt Games for Ages and Skill Level

Adapt the Space

You can always change the boundaries by making the field of play bigger or smaller. Create space boundaries that match skill level to maximize engagement, skill development, safety, and fun. Increase, decrease, widen, or narrow boundaries to adjust the level of difficulty of an activity. Who needs what? Larger spaces are great for older kids and bigger kids who can cover more ground. Smaller spaces are great for younger and smaller kids who need more confined spaces to stay engaged.

Change the Equipment

Modify the equipment to match the kids’ abilities. This helps to ensure success, fun, safety, and skill development.

Make it easier by using larger, lighter, softer, and/or slower moving balls and equipment.
Make it harder by using smaller, heavier, abstract, and/or faster moving balls and equipment.
Think about kids’ ages and sizes. For younger kids, basketball hoops can be lowered, soccer goals made smaller, and any sticks or racquet made smaller.

Change the Rules

Ever wanted to change the rules? Now you can. Modify the rules of the game to maximize inclusion, intensity, and skill development. Here’s an easy way to change things up: Use the “Rule of 3.” You can change the rule by adding 3 of something. For example:

3 passes before shooting a goal/basket
3 second possession per person
3 steps maximum
3 feet between the defender and the ball
3 feet boundary around the goal
3 goal games

All of these get more kids involved in the game and change the level of difficulty.

Working with Ages 3-5 & 5-7

Working with Teens

We are here to be supportive and recognize being a teen is hard! There are a lot of things going on- hormonally, socially, emotionally, peer pressure, mental health, bullying, and more! As a youth sports coach working with teenagers, it's imperative to recognize the significance of our role as mentors and establish a dynamic that fosters respect, guidance, and positive mentorship- which can be difficult when working with teens!

Understand the teenage brain!
Model the behavior you want to see in your teens.
Give your teens power!
Avoid using "you" statements

Along with the above information, below are actionable items that we have found work when coaching teens.

Stay Calm and AVOID SARCASM

Staff must resist the urge to engage in sarcasm or adopt a teen-like demeanor when faced with challenges. Instead, we should respond with clarity, respect, and empathy, setting the standard for constructive communication and conflict resolution. You are representatives of the program and should uphold our values and standards.

Keep All Cell Phones Away

Do not let your participants be on their cell phones will at program- even on water breaks. Let them know that we are a technology free zone- and if there is an emergency, they can update you. Hold all participants accountable for keeping their cell phones away.

Don't Act Like a Teen, Act Like an Adult

You are there to provide guidance and leadership. You must model mature behavior in all interactions, both on and off the field. By consistently embodying the traits of adulthood and upholding the values of our program, we can foster an environment of trust, respect, and growth for our teenage athletes.

Be a Role Model, Not a Friend

While it may be tempting to forge friendships with our players, it's essential to maintain a professional distance and act as role models rather than peers. Our actions, both on and off the field, carry weight and influence the development of the young athletes under our guidance. This means demonstrating maturity, integrity, and accountability in all interactions. There is a large importance in maintaining a professional distance while still being approachable. You should establish boundaries that uphold your role as a mentor and authority figure. We encourage mutual respect between coach and teen, built on trust and professionalism.

Keep Their Parents/Guardians Updated

Teens are smart- and can be sneaky. Along with all the difficulties of being a teen, they know how to spin a story to reflect themselves in the best light possible. Make sure to ALWAYS update their parents with the good, the bad, and anything unusual that happens while they are in our care. Don't forget to compliment sandwiches for any issues that you may be addressing.

Never Be in a One-on-One Situation with a Teen

Given the proximity in age between yourself and the teenagers you'll be working with, it's paramount to establish clear boundaries to maintain professionalism and ensure the safety of all participants. Avoid putting yourself in one-on-one situations with individual participants to uphold a professional distance and mitigate potential risks. Instead of texting individual teens, prioritize communication channels that involve parents, such as group texts with the entire team, utilizing platforms like Teamsideline, or communicating via email. This not only maintains appropriate boundaries but also promotes transparency and accountability in your interactions with participants and their families. You should never hang out with teens outside of work.

Junior High Coaching 101

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