Football Coaches: How To Help Neurodiverse Players Thrive
Adam Batstone is a fully qualified UEFA A Licence professional football coach who has worked in the academy at EFL Championship Club, Coventry City for over a decade. He is also pursuing a career as a HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and is currently working through The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercises Sciences (CASES) Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR).
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.
Connect with Adam Batstone
Connect with David Charlton
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Podcast Episodes To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience
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
Other Valuable Resources To Encourage A Positive Sporting Experience
Podcasts for Sport Coach Development
Podcast Episodes To Help Children Have A Positive Sporting Experience
Ep074: David Charlton – How Can I Make My Child Feel Confident?
Ep112: David Charlton – How to Deal with Physical Insecurities as a Young Athlete
Ep217: Chris Cook – How A Marginal Gains Approach Can Help You Perform Better
Resources To Help Children Have A Positive Sporting Experience
Helping Young Athletes Manage Emotions
Does Your Child Worry Too Much About What Others Think?
My Child Can’t Find “The Zone”
Other Valuable Resources To Help Children, Young Athletes, Parents and Youth Sport Coaches
Youth Sports Psychology Library
Frequently Asked Questions – Sport Psychology for Children and Parents
Click the button below to join The Sports Psychology Hub a Facebook group that David hosts to help ambitious athletes, serious sport coaches, sporting parents, sports psychologists and mental game coaches to support each other.
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Best Wishes
David Charlton
Global Sports Psychologist who is located near Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and willing to travel Internationally. David also uses online video conferencing software (Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp) on a regular basis and has clients who he has supported in USA, Canada, South America, UAE, Australia and New Zealand.
Managing Director – Inspiring Sporting Excellence and Founder of The Sports Psychology Hub. With over 15 years experience supporting athletes, coaches, parents and teams to achieve their goals, quickly.
T: +44 7734 697769
