Fun ways to lift morale

‘Tic-tac-toe and Tug of War with bibs!’

ERIC BELCHER, HEAD COACH, GLENVILLE STATE COLLEGE WOMEN - @coachebelcher

“To boost morale with my college team, we play games like Tic-Tac-Toe, with fun ways to get to the ‘board’, such as forward rolls, secret handshakes and crab walks.

"We also play Tug of War with bibs - and we always dance at the end of practice, no matter what the day brought us!” 

 

‘We’re planning on going to a water assault course!’

GEMMA TAYLOR-WHITEHEAD, COACH, SPORTING KHALSA WOMEN’S U15s - @avfcgtw

“When we’ve had a tough few weeks and feel the team are in need of a break from the routine of training, we’ve taken our girls bowling which has helped team spirit and allows the players to mix away from the training pitch.

"We are also planning on going to an inflatable water assault course to welcome them back after lockdown.

 

Also, as our tour to Butlins was cancelled, we are heading camping in the summer for a weekend of team bonding.” 

 

‘Our game brings a buzz to the pitch!’

GEMMA BELL, FOUNDATION PHASE LEAD AND U8s & U13s COACH, LINCOLN UNITED - @coachgem

"We play the ‘Transfers’ game, which instantly brings a buzz to the pitch. This can be played two ways depending on space and equipment.

"Game 1: Split players into two teams and if you score you transfer to the other team.

"Game 2: Split players into four teams on two pitches and the same as above applies, but if you score on pitch 1 you transfer to pitch 2 and vice versa." 

 

‘Get them to pretend they are in the best mood ever!’

CAROL FOGARTY FA LEVEL 1 COACH - @caroliscoaching

 

“If you sense the mood is low, say so. It won’t be a surprise but if you open dialogue, the group will be more self-aware.

 

"Then, get them to behave or pretend as if they are in the best mood ever for one minute. It’s amazing how infectious that is!”  

 

’My girls love working out to a motivational playlist!’

 

LISA PICKARD, FA LEVEL 1 COACH FORMER MANAGER & COACH, EASTBOURNE BOROUGH U16s - @lisapix

 

“Working with teenage girls can be a little challenging, especially if there’s been a break in training and some of them have lost their motivation.

 

"I found myself thinking about new ways to keep them engaged and to make it fun. I found a motivational workout playlist so thought I’d give it a go. I didn’t tell them in advance and totally forgot to warn the other coaches working with their teams on the pitch at the same time!

 

"Needless to say, the speakers were booming and everyone loved it. Even the other younger teams! My girls put in lots of effort and they really enjoyed working to the music. It was loud enough to stop them chatting but they could still hear the next instruction.

 

"I even had parents message me after the first session wanting the playlist! I’d highly recommend it!”