Junior sport training sessions
This article appears in the May 2010 edition of Sportshorts.
Junior sport training sessions have been put under the spotlight as part of a new study.
On any given afternoon or evening, at parks and facilities across Australia, there are tens of thousands of junior sports teams training.
Led by volunteer coaches, training sessions are an important part of a child’s sporting life. It’s a time children exercise, learn, experience and enjoy sport. It helps set the foundation for lifelong involvement in sport.
But despite its significance, training is an area we actually know little about. What really takes place during that typical one hour session - is it effective in meeting physical activity, skill and sport-specific goals? Do children enjoy it? Do the coaches enjoy it?
“Community junior coaches are critical in providing opportunities for players to develop motor skills, physical health and psychosocial skills,” says Simon Woinarski from Sport and Recreation.
“But there is very little actual research documenting what happens at junior sport training. The Community Junior Sport Coaching study set out to explore what players and coaches are doing during their training, as well as reflect on the sessions,” says Mr Woinarski.
Read the report
Community Junior Sport Coaching Final Report (PDF)
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A joint effort between Sport and Recreation, the University of Sydney, Australian Sports Commission, Australian Rugby and NSW Rugby League, the study involved over 400 players and 37 coaches.
It examined training sessions of 17 rugby union and 21 rugby league teams, where the players were children under 10 years of age. Sessions were observed and analysed using a number of formal research tools.
“Overall, the study provided positive findings and showed our community-based junior coaching is in good shape,” says Mr Woinarski.
“Results included nearly all coaches having qualifications, players enjoying training and excellent interaction between coaches and players.
“Moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) were also good During an average session, the players were in MVPA 82% of the time (45 minutes) which equals 75% of the minimum daily recommended amount of exercise.
“But the study also revealed areas coaches and the sport clubs/organisations can improve on. For example, coaching communication and instruction methods were often highlighted.
“Communication skills are very important for junior coaches, but not everyone is a naturally good communicator with children.
“Commonly coaches in the study gave lengthy instructions prior to the commencement of activity during their session, reducing total player activity, which suggests they may have trouble giving concise messages.
“Ensuring communication skills modules are a significant part of coach education is an area clubs and sporting groups can look at,” says Mr Woinarski.
Greater support for coaches and more sharing of ideas among coaches was also flagged.
“The report encourages clubs and sporting organisations to consider mentoring schemes, coaching blogs and resources as ways of addressing this.
“Creating coaching communities is also a good idea, whereby coaches meet at convenient times to support each other and work through common issues,” says Mr Woinarski.
While the study focussed on Rugby League and Rugby Union, the findings are relevant for the wider sporting community , particularly for team sports .
“There is no doubt that our community-based coaches do a great job. This study provides helpful suggestions for all coaches and sports, and we encourage people to take some time to review it,” says Mr Woinarski.
Findings - Key areas for improvement
Coaches
- Increase deliberate play or games at training – for young children it is recommended this make up 80% of their sporting participation each week
- Utilise more small group work (pairs, small sided games etc.), as opposed to whole group work. This maximises skill repetition and allows coaches to cater better when there are smaller than expected numbers at training
- Reduce time spent organising players
- Reduce time spent on instructions given prior to activity commencing
- Aim for clear and concise instructions
- Try not to over-coach by continually correcting players.
Clubs and sporting bodies
- Review coach education
- Incorporate more information on discipline issues, group management and age appropriate communication skills - Improve the coach-parent relationship
- Provide greater support to junior coaches on dealing with parents
- Provide parents with regular information on club philosophies and goals (eg. respect, wining isn’t everything, equal participation) - Encourage mentoring and sharing
- Allow coaches to observe other junior sessions
- Establish a pool of mentors, face-to-face and e-mentoring
- Create coaching communities, where coaches meet to discuss issues and learn from each other
- Develop a coaching blog
- Encourage more training session planning
- Provide online resources for coaches
- Help coaches deal with small group situations
- Coaches need suggestions and support when player numbers are low at training sessions.
