KEEN Los Angeles



	contact us \| donate

Coaching Guidelines

KEEN veteran coaches have put together the following suggestions for having the best possible time with an athlete:

1. Read your athlete’s profile.

* Look for helpful hints, like calming techniques, motivating techniques, or behavior management techniques.
* Read about what the athlete’s parents hope the athlete will gain from KEEN.

2. Talk to the athlete’s parent when he/she is being dropped off.

* Ask whether there is anything new you should know (e.g., is athlete particularly tired, did athlete learn new skills at school, etc.).
* Clarify any questions you have about the profile.

3. Communicate clearly.

* Tell your athlete at the outset of the session exactly what activities you will be doing.
* When giving any instructions, keep your directions short and simple. Avoid complex directions. Break down tasks/activities into distinct pieces, if needed.
* Make eye contact with your athlete when giving directions.

4. Be firm.

* Don’t be afraid to speak firmly to an athlete if he/she is not trying to participate in something that he/she typically likes to do or is able to do. Some athletes pretend to sleep when they don’t want to participate!
* If, after your attempts to be firm, the athlete still refuses to cooperate, please inform the KEEN Coordinator. He/she can be the “bad cop.”

5. Recognize and celebrate progress.

* The way we “measure” progress in a KEEN session is very different than how progress might be measured in other settings. For example, it might be a great achievement for an athlete just to make it all the way through the session. Or it may be an amazing accomplishment to follow a simple set of directions.
* Each step is significant. Putting all those steps together can add up to a major accomplishment.
* Record progress on profile at the end of the session.
* Celebrate with “high-fives” and by sharing important moments during “Prouds.”

6. Share ideas with future coaches.

* Record helpful hints on the athlete’s profile, particularly if something worked well.
* Make note of activities your athlete particularly enjoyed or disliked.

7. Ask for help if needed.

* The KEEN Program Coordinator is typically roving to check on coaches and athletes. Feel free to stop them and ask for help.

8. Have fun!

Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) - 601 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2500, Los Angeles, CA 90017 - info@keenlosangeles.org