Behaviour Management
The kids are misbehaving - what do we do?
This is an alternative approach for most coaches, teachers and parents...
In this episode we talk about how we coach using behaviour management advice from Bill Rogers and many more.
Ep 2: Behaviour Management Episode Summary:
WHY:
- Before using our ‘PACT’ struggled to deliver sessions because of frequent interruptions and other behaviour issues.
- Ineffective behaviour management, and wasted coaching time!
- Bad atmosphere for both the children and us as coaches.
HOW:
‘PACT’ = Proactivity | Acknowledgement | Consequences | Transition
1: Proactivity
- Design the environment to maximise positive behaviour and minimise negative behaviour.
- Signed agreement outlining your expectations.
- Prep activity ready for them to begin (even if they’re early) which works works well regardless of numbers.
- No sun in eyes, clear of distractions behind you and with no equipment.
- Play ‘Copy me’ game to get their attention before talking.
- Start with WHY & keep it brief
🚫Instead of saying “We are practising shooting today” or “because I said so”
✅Say “We are practising shooting today to help us on our mission to play at our best.”
Reduce unnecessary surprises.
- “We have 2 more minutes of this game left.”
Especially effective when coaching children who are living with autism.
2: Acknowledgement
DESCRIBE and DIRECT. We direct attention our way:
- “Focus in everyone”, “Eyes and ears this way thanks”.
- “Wow, so many of us are looking in and showing me that they are listening - this is what we need to make the most of our time today”.
- “One of us is still fiddling around with equipment, we need everyone looking in, thanks”.
‘Tactically ignoring’ disruptive behaviour
- “We’ve got some good hands up and because of that I’m going to ask you.” (When one child is calling out, while another has put their hand up).
Give children a fine reputation to live up to.
E.g. “We think that you could make a good leader because people like to listen to you and. Now it is important to lead by example and work with the coaches to make this happen.” (When you have a particularly talkative child).
3: Consequences
If children don’t respond to phases 1 and 2.
Our consequence system can be broken down into three parts:
A verbal warning
A yellow card
And finally a red card.
- We give a verbal warning to children who persistently disrupt the session or repeatedly ignore instructions.
- If the negative behaviour continues, we then give children a yellow card. When this happens the child misses 5 minutes from the training session.
- Our last resort is a red card. When this happens we will have a conversation with the child’s parent or carer and work together to put things in place to ensure that this behaviour changes.
Give children choices.
- “You have a choice here:
You can either keep calling out and receive a yellow card
Or…
Listen when coaches are speaking and continue to play the game with everyone else.”
- Stay as calm as possible.
- Their behaviour is in their control.
4: Transition
After consequences have been used, we aim to TRANSITION back to their positive behaviour.
Repair rapport, ensure their safety and that you care.
- E.g. “Is there anything we can do to help you?” And “How can we support you to get back to your best?”
Show consideration for their lives outside of sport too. Things may affect their behaviour include:
- Their personal lives,
- The day they’ve had
- Issues as basic as whether they’ve had enough food or water that day.
We can’t control the children’s behaviour, but we can control how we react to it.
John Wooden - ‘You might not like all of your players, but you must love them all the same.’
⚠️ Follow safeguarding procedures if we see any worrying concerns.
Outcomes
- Children listen to us and are motivated to do the right thing, more often than not.
- More time to help children to do their best in our sessions.
- The general mood of the session also stays positive and upbeat.
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Want to send us something? info@tomandjack.co.uk
RESOURCES:
📚 Bill Rogers, Classroom Behaviour
📚Dale Carnegie: How to Win Friends and Influence People
SET GEAR:
📹 Camera
💻 Laptop
PRODUCER: