Special Olympics Football Coaches Quick Start Guide Skills Instruction • • • • • • Quickly review and practice previously taught skills. Introduce the theme of the skills activity. Demonstrate skills simply and dramatically. Divide into groups of six or less for practice. Physically assist and prompt lower ability players when necessary. Introduce and practice new skills early in the practice session. Competition Experience • • • Use mini-games (one versus one / three versus three) to teach basic rules and game understanding. Use scrimmages to teach basic positions and restarts. Always allow at least 10 minutes of free play where the coach says nothing. Let them play. Cool-Down • • • Slow run/walk/stretch. As the players cool down, comment on the session and the next game. Finish with a team cheer. Sample Cool-Down Routine Activity Slow aerobic run Light stretching Purpose Lowers body temperature Gradually reduces heart rate Removes waste from muscles Time (minimum) 5 minutes 5 minutes See “Appendix A” for various training exercises and stretches 6 Football Quick Start Guide – September 2004