Tips for Starting Practice with an Opening Circle

Beginning practice with an opening circle gives a coach the opportunity to address the team, set the tone, and start practice on a positive note.

When starting practice with an opening circle, coaches can:

• Ensure all athletes are equally in the circle and no one has their back to anyone else
• Keep communication clear and concise and answer any questions that athletes may have
• Check-in with players to see how they are feeling as they arrive to practice
  • Coaches can use a ‘thumb-check’ – thumbs up for a good day, middle for an ok day so far, and thumbs down for a bad day. Let athletes know that any of the three are ok and that you are available to connect if they need after practice.
• Appreciate athletes for showing up to practice
• Encourage athletes to be mindful of and take care of each other
• Review what will be worked on and why
• Give athletes opportunity for input
  • Ex: “We’re working on passing the ball today. Does anyone have a particular type of pass they want to work on – bounce pass, chest pass, overhead pass?”
• Develop and review team agreements
  • Ex: “Our team agreements are 1. Try our best, 2. Respect each other, 3. Have fun. Which should we focus on today?”
• Set the tone – show your excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming practice

By following these tips, coaches can make sure the opening circle helps athletes feel:

• Safe, welcomed, and valued
• Confident in what is being asked of them and why
• Set up for success
• Included in a supportive team environment
• Excited and engaged in practice