Module 4 - Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP)

In this module, we will cover:

1. Explanation of DAP & it’s Importance/Goals

2. Defining the 3 Age Groups & Topics to be covered

3. Key Takeaways for each Age Group

In this module, we will cover:

1. Overview of K-2nd Grades (5-7 Year Olds)

2. Cognitive, Social/Emotional & Development Levels

3. Best practices for working with this age group

In this module, we will cover:

1. Overview of 3rd-4th Grades (8-9 Year Olds)

2. Cognitive, Social/Emotional & Development Levels

3. Best practices for working with this age group

In this module, we will cover:

1. Overview of 5th Grade & Up (10-13 Year Olds)

2. Cognitive, Social/Emotional & Development Levels

3. Best practices for working with this age group.

• Next Module: Module 5 - Next Level Basics

• Previous Module: Module 3 - Attire, Equipment & Preparation

• See All Student Coaching Training Modules

If you have any questions, please email training@nextlevelsports.com.

0:01 Hey guys, my name is Dustin Rutz here with Next Level Sports, and today we are going to cover, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, and what that means for you as a student coach and referee.

0:13 So first, just an overview about what Developmentally Appropriate Practices are. So, as a coach and as a referee, you guys are around children of all different ages.

0:22 Whether that be a kindergartener or that's 6 years old or a 5th grader that's 10 years old, all of those kids are going to have different developmental needs and are at different stages of their life.

0:35 It is important for us individualize our training and our coaching to them based on their developmental need. How your coach treats you is not how you should treat your players.

0:46 How you're going to interact and coach a 12-year-old child is much different than how you would interact and coach a 12 a six-year-old child.

0:54 Our job is to give them the building blocks that are appropriate to their skill and attention level so that way they can be successful on the field.

1:02 So what are our goals with that? We want to ensure that you have a firm understanding of the physical and emotional maturity of your players, so that you can set appropriate expectations for the children that you coach.

1:14 We want to strategize those best practices, and give you the tools to, tools to be the best coach or referee that you can be this season.

1:22 what we're going to do is break up the children that we have in our programs into three brackets. We have our kindergarten to second grade group, our third and fourth grade group, and our fifth grade enough.

1:32 Across all the brackets, there has been common difficulties that U.S. student coaches and referees have relayed to us, such as, your players just won't listen to you.

1:41 Or, hey, how can I keep these kids on task? Or, how do I best teach these kids while I have We're going to look at each age bracket individually and really cover how do children in this specific bracket think?

1:54 How do they learn? How do children react and respond and require different, things of you as a coach? Also, we're going to give you the tools to be successful and how to coach them, how to instruct them, and how to guide them based on their age.

2:09 Here are some key takeaways from each bracket. For our younger players, ages 5 to 7, focus on playfulness in basic skill building.

2:18 The activities in our practice should prioritize fun, creativity, and structure. We should offer constant feedback to them, and the reassurance that we provide can help them build confidence.

2:30 The goals to have fun and learn the game. For our middle ages, 8 to 9, our goal is to introduce teamwork.

2:37 Strategy and sportsmanship. This group is a little more advanced than those younger players, but they still rely on us heavily.

2:44 So we want to foster that emotional resilience through constructive feedback. We also want to blend our skill development with friendly competition as they transition through this phase.

2:54 And then our older age groups, children that are 10 to 13. You want to emphasize and enhance the independence and leadership opportunities that start to emerge at this age. We can start to incorporate complex drills and goal-oriented tasks for them to be successful. We want to acknowledge the emotional shift that has at kids in this age group and offer support for their self confidence while building the team for success.

Please continue on as we break down each age group individually in the following modules.

0:00 First is our kindergarten through second grade group. It's important that when you're coaching kids in this age group that you keep your instructions short, sweet, and specific.

0:09 Physically demonstrate the task that you're asking of them. Whether it's an out route or a quick slant, walk through the activity.

0:16 That way they can visually connect the words that you're saying with the drill that you're asking them to do. A lot of times kids in this age group have short attention spans.

0:25 If focus is lost, please redirect them to an alternative task or activity to limit the disruption. Designate a catch phrase.

0:34 Simple key words and triggers like this can help a group that has lost focus to engage with you and move on forward for the next activity.

0:42 Whether you say, post up, and they answer, yes coach, or you say, if you can hear my voice, and they have to clap two times, set this standard, set this expectation, so that way you can have a successful practice and limit the amount of disruptions that you have.

0:59 Kids in this age group have varying social and emotional needs in development areas. They may experience outbursts, they may cry, and they may physically show frustration.

1:08 These kids are kids, so the solution for you is to stay calm, get down onto their level, and take a knee and talk to them.

1:16 Hear them. Be positive and encourage them to keep kids in this age group have a wide range of skills, abilities, and even basic coordination.

1:26 Incorporate simple exercise drills and explanations. Incorporate fun games and activities, especially for warm-up time. Things like tag or red light, green light are a great way to have these kids get their energy out.

1:38 Have fun and be excited to start practice with you. Focus on spreading the ball and sharing the ball to all.

1:46 Allow everyone to try new positions so that way they can have fun and you in return can have fun as well as a coach this season.

0:00 Next is our 3rd and 4th grade group. Kids at this group have a greater understanding of, if this happens, then that happens.

0:08 They understand more of a cause and effect relationship, so you're able to introduce more multi-step concepts and explanations. These kids will still rely on you heavily, and they still may have a limited control of their emotions, but we should see less outbursts and less disruptions to practice.

0:25 They have a strong desire for friends and relationships. And a greater team identity. They're more self-aware, so be ready to give positive feedback and positive encouragement throughout the season.

0:37 Kids here still have a wide range of skills, abilities, and coordination, but they are better able to harness those abilities into the activities and into the games.

0:47 So you can implement more complex exercises, more drills that are appropriate for this age group. They still want to have fun, so great introductory games are still a benefit.

0:56 As you notice their strengths, play to them. Start to put kids in positions to where they can be successful and have fun this season.

0:02 Next is our children in 5th grade and up. These kids have a heightened cognitive level in comparison to our other groups.

0:08 They understand more complex problems. So it's appropriate for you to introduce more complex instructions, more multi-step problems, strategies, and how it relates to the game.

0:19 Kids may already have a good foundation or a strong understanding of the game and strategies, but if not, they're able to understand those things.

0:27 So you can take the time to be able to instruct them appropriately. Kids here are definitely going to be more individualistic and they may be more independent, but there's still a chance that you have some kids that rely on you heavily.

0:40 Especially if they're new to the game. Kids here have deeper friendships and more influential social dynamics that may affect your team.

0:48 They still maintain and want that strong team identity, but may be self-conscious at times. It's important for you to stay positive and encourage these kids to be successful.

0:58 Start to focus on character development, what it means to be a good teammate, what it means to put the team first over our individual goals.

1:07 There may be natural leaders that start to emerge at this age group. Put those kids in position to lead the team.

1:15 Put those kids in position to help you coach and to help the team be successful. There will be a wider range of skills and abilities and physical attributes at this level.

1:26 There may be a few kids that are very dominant and other kids that are new to the game and less athletic.

1:32 It's important that we still focus on the team dynamic and put kids in position for the team to be successful, while still encouraging playing time for all.

1:41 This age group has a desire to be pushed and coached and to fully and further understand the game. Feel free to kick it up a notch.