James Clear in the book Atomic Habits reminds us to:
Make it obvious
Make it attractive
Make it easy
Make it satisfying
So why are 10-year-olds kids standing on a rugby pitch, out of season, on a grey, wet and cold evening in May listening to a coach explain the optimal position for a jackal?
The honest answer is that none of them has anything better to do. And that might sound harsh, but what if it was true?
If you want someone to do something different, you just need to make it better than the alternative.
“Just” is to lever the fear of missing out in your favour. And right now we need to do better, a lot better because JUST is a lot stronger than you think.
Here is an alternative suggestion. And here is how you create leverage through connection, community and coaching.
Make it obvious:
Track each kid in your club and see what they do and more importantly see what they don’t do. That way you begin to see the barriers to developing a kid’s movement vocabulary.
Provide support and connection to the kids who need it most.
Make it attractive
Reward positive behaviour changes with club socks, hats, and shoutouts, helping the kids be seen. And most of all, find ways to support those in the group who are hiding.
Make it easy
Get the more active parents to facilitate the activities as long as they promise to get out of the way. Bring groups together and invite friends outside of the circle to join in, including the quiet ones, Be inclusive, and have fun with activities. It might surprise you, and that’s the point.
Make it satisfying
Encourage positive behaviours by getting the kids to post photos and videos of themselves doing the activities within their groups. And if they don’t want to post photos get them to write in, draw a picture, or tell you about it on a call.
Above all, have fun with it and give your kids something better to do this summer.