Posted on May 21, 2010: What's the best way to coach "mentally challenged" players?
A Responsible Sports Fan suggested the following Scenario Question:
We have a new team member on our U-10 girls soccer team who is mentally challenged. She has never played the game before. Yes, it is a recreational league, but I felt as though a large majority of my coaching was directed towards keeping her focused on the task at hand. During the scrimmage, she was wandering off the pitch. Any advice?
Dear Tony,
When I read your question I was struck by what an opportunity you have with your recreational U-10 girls soccer team and the "mentally challenged" player who is just trying soccer for the first time.
First, I want to address your point that a majority of your coaching was directed at "keeping her focused and on the task at hand." At PCA we talk about Responsible Coaches rewarding what they want and ignoring what they don't want (when these actions are not hurting anyone else). When your mentally challenged player is participating and following your directions, be sure to compliment her early and often (this holds true for all of your U-10 players of course!). When she seems to lose focus, rather than directing even more attention and energy toward her (which can be reinforcing), try ignoring her. When this is not possible, try having one of your assistant coaches talk with her, so you can keep coaching the majority of your athletes.
Secondly, think about establishing a physical gesture that acts as a "trigger" for all of your athletes to focus. This might be holding up two fingers and then pointing them at your eyes. When your players see this they quiet down and focus, and if they see teammates who did not see the trigger, they show them with their own trigger signal.
Finally, think about enlisting your players to keep each other focused during games specifically. When your players see your mentally challenged player wandering off the pitch, they can try calling her name and showing her the "focus" trigger signal.
Learning to support and interact with peers of differing mental abilities could be a tremendous life lesson that you help your players learn this season. It may take time and patience to teach this lesson, but it is something that will impact your players and their relationships for the rest of their lives. They will not remember their win/loss record from this season, but they will always remember you and this special teammate.
For more, please visit the Responsible Coaching Guide.
Learn more now!
Back to Ask the Expert and Archive
