TOPIC: Active Start. Active Start is the moment before the moment. For most of my coach, i experiece myself and other coaches placing a major focus on the actions after a child have make a decision.

The Objective: Using Awareness to Prepare for Decision-Making Moments

The core objective is to develop a child's sensory and cognitive skills to anticipate, assess, and respond during game situations. Decision-making in sports is not random; it is informed by continuous observation, real-time processing of information, and deliberate physical readiness. Having a child harness their sensory input, primarily through their eyes and body awareness, to enter a mental state of preparedness where decisions flow naturally and efficiently.

Visual Engagement: Training the Eyes for Situational Awareness

1. Scanning the Field:

• Teach kids to constantly shift their gaze and scan the playing field to take in valuable information—locations of teammates, opponents, open spaces, and the ball.

• Encourage “head up” positioning so they avoid fixating only on the ball or one player.

2. Peripheral Vision Development:

• Exercises that enhance peripheral vision help kids identify movement and changes in the environment without direct eye focus.

• For example, drills where players call out teammates seen from the corner of their eyes encourage expanding visual horizons.

3. Anticipating Movement:

• Ingrain the habit of reading body language and subtle cues, such as a defender's body orientation or a ball carrier’s posture.

• Use video analysis and role-playing to sharpen prediction skills based on visual input.

4. Eye-Tracking Drills:

• Incorporate fun activities where children follow multiple moving objects, switching gaze quickly and accurately, training their eyes to gather diverse data rapidly.

Body Usage: Positioning the Body for Quick, Informed Reactions

1. Stance and Posture:

• Teach proper athletic postures that balance readiness with relaxation to avoid tension that can slow reactions.

• Emphasize bent knees, balanced weight distribution, and an alert but comfortable stance.

2. Kinesthetic Awareness:

• Incorporate drills that help kids understand their body’s position in space (proprioception), which is essential for movement precision and timing.

• For example, exercises like obstacle courses or balance beams improve spatial awareness.

3. Movement Preparation:

• Encourage a slight forward lean or “on the balls of the feet” stance, which enhances explosive movement and quick directional changes.

• Teach micro-movements like shifting weight subtly in anticipation of action.

4. Coordinated Movement with Visual Input:

• Combine eye tracking with body movements, such as shadowing drills where kids respond physically to visual cues from coaches or teammates.

• Practice “read and react” scenarios where children must quickly process what they see and move accordingly.

Developing Cognitive Processing and Emotional Control

1. Decision-Making Drills:

• Simulate game situations requiring split-second choices, helping kids to practice selection processes while under mild pressure.

• Gradually increase complexity, favoring environments encouraging trial, error, and adaptation.

2. Mindfulness and Focus Training:

• Teach mindfulness techniques that help kids regulate heightened emotions or anxiety, enabling clearer thinking.

• Encourage focused breathing and moment-to-moment awareness to remain centered.

3. Feedback and Reflection:

• Use video playback and discussions post-training to reinforce what visual cues were effective and which body alignments helped decision-making.

• Create a feedback loop to develop self-awareness and intentional improvement.

Practical Applications: How Kids Can Use These Skills During Play

• Reading the Play: By constantly scanning the field and noting the positions of players, kids anticipate where the ball might go or which teammate needs support.

• Timing Actions: Awareness means knowing not just what to do, but when to do it—passing, shooting, or defending with optimal timing.

• Adapting under Pressure: When opponents make unexpected moves, children trained in game awareness quickly adjust their body positioning and tactics.

• Enhancing Team Communication: Eye contact, gestures, and body positioning improve non-verbal cues within a team, leading to seamless coordinated decisions.

• Building Confidence: Preparedness through awareness reduces hesitation, empowering children to take initiative and make bolder plays.

Summary

Preparing children to use their eyes and body consciously in the game develops the essential cognitive and physical toolkit for rapid, effective decision-making. By fostering continuous observational habits, enhancing proprioception, and training emotional resilience, Develop Every Sport instills a lifelong foundation that benefits not only athletic achievements but transferable life skills. This comprehensive approach ensures every child, including neurodiverse individuals, gains the awareness and confidence to thrive in dynamic, real-world situations.