Games

Focus on developing skills through games so your students will learn while having fun.

Including games is critical for elementary school-age kids for three reasons:

• Retention—If kids enjoy practice, they are more likely to return. The more they practice, the better they get. When kids see their improvement, they enjoy it even more, so the cycle continues.
• Critical thinking skills—Games help kids learn to ""read"" movement around them and make decisions for reacting. Games with simple rules and ethics also develop their mental ability to understand and participate in sport.
• Improved fitness—Playing games will keep your team moving when they may otherwise begin to get sluggish, which will improve their overall fitness. The games also include elements of speed, agility, coordination, and power, thus building general athletic skill.

It's good to use a high-spirited game at the conclusion of each practice to keep kids engaged straight through to the end and looking forward to the next session.