Quick rules

Safety first: set safe stations and stop risky behaviour fast.
Follow rotation: same order every week with clear switch calls.
Core programme: always run the core then add extras if time allows.
Keep it moving: short lines and active bodies. No waiting lines.

Session flow

1. Start: greet them, learn names, line them up.

2. Brief: walk in a line to apparatus, sit them down, explain the plan.

3. Split: beginners can be split fast with a quick explain. Most groups go straight to stations then you explain each station and start them.

4. Solo coaching: if you are alone rotate yourself around every station unless you must spot one thing the whole time.

5. Spotting: if you are spotting bars, vault or high beam you still need to see the other stations and keep them running.

6. Apparatus rule: on bars, beam, vault or air track split kids into small groups and set at least two separate stations. Switch every 2 minutes.

7. Station count: use 3 to 4 stations. More stations means less time on each and more switching.

8. No queues: do not allow a line of kids waiting for one station. For vault split the setup into smaller stations and rotate.

Feedback and motivation

Principles

Start with the win. confidence first.
Ask before you tell. steer them to say the cue you want.
Ownership. what are you fixing on this attempt.
Small goals. make them feel big. small wins compound fast.
Keep words short. straight legs, tight tummy, eyes on hands.
Change the drill if words do not land.
Belief matters. your tone sets effort.

More on feedback and motivation

Ask first. Start by asking what will make that better. You push attention onto the key detail and you invite awareness. If they say straight legs they own it. If they miss it ask a thinner question like what did your legs do or where were your eyes. Guide them toward the cue so they say it and remember it.

Ownership. Make them say the cue before the attempt. Say tell me your cue then watch for that one thing. After the attempt ask did you hit it. If no ask what changes on the next one. Keep the loop short so progress feels earned.

Small goals that align with the cue. Set targets that fit the feedback. On vault ask how many times should we bounce on the springboard. Child says once. You say exactly. Let us nail that first. We will layer other things after. Basics first then build.

Language that moves. Use action words kids can feel. Push tall, squeeze legs, eyes on hands. Avoid do not phrases. Say what to do. If words do not change the attempt change the task so the drill forces the right choice.

Work at their level. Keep the step small enough that they can win then add the next step. Make them feel like they are solving the problem with you. Incremental steps of progression beat big leaps.

Belief and standards. Be warm and firm. Sound sure they can do it and hold the line on quality. Separate the child from the attempt. You are doing well and that one does not count. Try again with tight legs. Trust stays high and effort stays high.

Example:

Coach: what could make that better. Child: straight legs.
Coach: say your cue, then show me one go with straight legs.
Coach watches only legs. If better, name the win. If not, keep the same cue and make the task smaller like a shorter run or lower height.
Set a small goal that fits the cue. On vault ask how many bounces on the board. Child: one. Coach: yes, let us hit one clean bounce for the next few goes.
When that looks tidy add the next cue.

Avoid:

Stacking multiple pieces of feedback in one go.
Overly complicated language or long talks that stall motion.
Negative commands like do not bend. Say what to do instead.
Switching the cue every time.
Talking while they move so no one hears the cue.
Correcting every go with no praise.

Dealing with bad behaviour

1. Stop and name it: get eye contact and say what you do not like.

2. Warning: if it continues you will sit out.

3. Sit out: 2 minutes or the rest of the station.

4. Escalate: next time I will speak to your parents and the head coach at the end.

5. Head coach: if it keeps going send them to the head coach to explain or for support if they are very young.

Dispersal and exits

All coaches help. dispersal is a team job.
Coach ahead. a coach is always ahead of the kids when moving to the changing room.
Door coach. a coach stands by the changing room exit.
If a parent is not there. the child is escorted back to the gym.

Coaching insights

Kids are emotional and swing fast. Manage chaos then coach.

Children can flip from focused to chaotic in seconds. Treat state control as the first step. If noise rises or the group scatters, bring everyone in and sit them down. Lower your voice and wait for quiet. Get eyes on you, restate the rule to listen first then do, give one simple cue and send them back to action.

Use a reset ritual that you teach on day one. For example three claps, hands on heads, eyes on coach. You can call reset any time things spike. The ritual gets you back to baseline fast without a long speech.

Name behaviour not the child. I see chatting in the line. We pause and reset. Keep your tone calm so you do not add fuel. When calm returns you coach again.

Attention is short. Motion beats talk.

Keep explanations under twenty seconds. If you need more break it into steps. Place them in the drill while you talk so the first attempt starts fast. Teach inside the drill, not before it.

Lines break focus. Build two to four stations so everyone moves. Rotate often. If heads wander switch early rather than talking more.

Show one clean attempt if needed then start. Add detail as they move. The body learns while doing.

Fear is an alarm not a stop sign.

Fear is normal when a task feels risky. Shrink the step so the child can win. Lower the height, add a mat or slow the entry. Spot early to create safety then fade your help as control grows.

Define success before the attempt. For example feet to a marked spot and eyes on hands. When they hit it say it out loud so the brain marks it as safe. Repeat the win then raise the step again.

Do not argue with fear. Change the task and let success do the talking.

Drill beats lecture.

If a cue does not change the attempt change the setup. Use shapes, targets and lines that make the right choice easy. The drill should remove the wrong option.

Keep the drill close to the skill so transfer stays high. If the drill works leave it running. If it stalls swap quickly rather than adding more words.

Give instant feedback with simple markers like a stick box for landings or a hand mark for placement. It tells the truth without a speech.

Progress needs proof.

Visible proof keeps effort high. Set a landing marker or count a hold out loud. Let the child score the attempt one to three and say the next cue before they go again.

Track small wins at a station. Two clean sticks or three tight handstands earn a level up. Link proof to progress so kids feel the connection between work and results.

Share a one line win with parents at pickup. It reinforces effort and builds trust.

Your belief changes effort.

Kids read your face and voice. If you sound sure they try harder. Say I know you can hit this with straight legs then give a small target that proves it. Your confidence plus a clear plan raises effort.

Hold a steady standard. Be kind and clear. You are doing well and that attempt does not count. Try again with tight legs. Praise the behaviour you want to see again.

Consistency builds trust. When your reactions match the standard kids feel safe to try and fail and try again.

Coach Guide

Principles

SWL Recreational Program and Circuit Builder