“Is this really practice?” “Can I improve this way?”
In our sports team's trainers opinion, the answer is definitely yes!
10 tips for a successful online practice:
1. Prepare beforehand – all of the participants and their parents need to check that their technology works (video, audio, internet) and that they have sports equipment ready (proper clothing, ball, cones, chair, jump rope, etc.)
2. At the start of the session, say hi to everyone, everyone says how they’re doing, and we explain all of the exercises that we’re going to do.
3. The coach gives simple exercises that are easy to explain and understand. Most are familiar exercises that the kids have done in the past.
4. Changing levels of difficulty and speed. Water break every 25 minutes.
5. Give constant positive feedback and encouragement, such as “Amir, excellent! That’s how it’s done!” “Well done, Dana! Don’t stop now!”
6. Create a group dynamic, for example: taking turns doing an exercise, competition between the participants, an exercise that requires group thought.
7. The practice doesn’t end with the online session. At the end, give the participants an exercise to work on during their own time and be ready with it the next time we meet online.
8. End the session with a summary of what we did, the successes and challenges, what we were great at and what needs improvement. Schedule the next session.
9. You can involve additional members of the household – siblings and parents, etc.
10. The most important thing is to have fun with the kids!
Good luck!
Here is a short video from a soccer practice with 5th and 6th graders.