285 Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive

Demystifying Mental Toughness

In today’s episode David Charlton and his colleague Adam Batstone emphasised the importance of psychological support in football and sport coaching with children. They particularly acknowledged the need to foster rapport with parents to address their concerns about disclosing their child's challenges. David and Adam highlighted the need for adaptability in coaching methods, especially for neurodivergent children, who may require more personalised approaches. They discussed strategies like framing sessions, providing clear routines, and using non-confrontational prompts to maintain engagement. The conversation also touched on the significance of life skills development beyond football, noting that coaches can help children build resilience and emotional flexibility, crucial for their future success in various fields.

Key Learning Points:

· Seek to explore ways to incorporate more flexibility and adaptability in training sessions to better accommodate neurodivergent players.

· Develop strategies to build trust with parents, encouraging them to openly share information about their child's needs.

· Provide training for coaches on recognizing and supporting neurodivergent behaviours, and implementing effective intervention techniques.

· Investigate the feasibility of creating designated "safe spaces" within the training environment for players to self-regulate when needed.

· Factor in the psychological planning of training sessions to consider the emotional responses of players.

· Utilise additional coaching resources to provide one-on-one support for players who may need it during sessions.

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Ep249: Dr Edward Hall – Understanding Workplace Collaboration In Coaching In Team Sports

Ep105: Hannah Bromley – Overcoming Psychological Challenges in Professional Women’s Football

Ep065: Dr Amy Izycky – Encouraging Mentally Healthy Cultures in Sport

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Podcast Episodes To Help Children Have A Positive Sporting Experience

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