Coaching Young Players? Read This Before Planning Your Next Session
Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read
How to Coach Kids Without Losing the Plot (or the Player)
Hey coach,
Imagine this: You’ve got a group of 5–7-year-olds. One can rally, one can’t hit a ball, one is melting down, and one is obsessed with climbing the net post.
Sound familiar?
That’s the reality of grassroots performance coaching.
But here’s the thing: most session plans don’t account for it. They’re built around perfect behaviour, ideal technique, and linear progress.
And that’s the problem.
Here’s what we unpacked in a recent coach mentoring call with a group of coaches in Hong Kong:
3 INSIGHTS THAT MIGHT SHIFT YOUR NEXT SESSION
Coaching the environment > coaching the technique Telling a 5-year-old to “split step” is pointless if they can’t perceive when to move. Instead, create a space where movement is a necessity, not an instruction. Design the game so the behaviour emerges.
Mixed ability is a feature, not a flaw When done right, groups with wide skill ranges offer rich opportunities. Younger or less experienced players bring unpredictability. More advanced players learn to adapt — and become better decision-makers, not just better ball strikers.
Gamification isn’t just fun — it’s functional One coach shared a brilliant example: a game where kids “save their friends from a monster” by serving. Another built in blackout curtains to reduce visual distractions. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re tools for guiding attention, regulating energy, and deepening engagement.
2 TIPS YOU CAN USE TOMORROW
Design for variability, not uniformity Instead of expecting one drill to work for everyone, start with a basic format, then add layers. Let stronger players stretch rules. Let newer ones simplify. Be the co-designer, not the dictator.
Start serves with a high-five Yep. That’s the cue. Want players to learn to serve with intention and rhythm? Start with playful “high-five serves” — it builds the right action without overloading instructions.
1 QUESTION TO REFLECT ON
Are your sessions built for the player you have… or the player you wish you had?
Need help designing for messy reality? Want to upskill your team or troubleshoot your programme?
🟡 Book me for a 1:1 or team call today — just hit reply to get started. Let’s make sure your players (and your coaches) don’t just survive the session… but actually thrive in it.
