Leadership and coaching others
Physical Education · Key Stage 3 · The School
Feedback that can be used
"Well done" is encouragement, not coaching. Useful feedback names ONE thing, says what to do rather than what to stop, and is given close to the attempt: "step towards the target with your left foot" beats "your technique is wrong". More than one instruction at a time is usually one too many, especially with beginners.
Adapting so everyone plays
A good leader changes the activity to fit the group rather than expecting the reverse. Change the equipment — a larger, softer, slower ball. Change the space — smaller area, more area. Change the rules — more touches allowed, a compulsory pass. Change the roles so nobody is standing still. The aim is that everyone is involved and challenged at their own level.
Safety
Before anything begins: check the space for hazards, check equipment is sound, know how many people you have and keep counting, know where the first aid is and who is responsible, and match the activity to the group's experience. A leader who cannot answer those has not planned a session. Any real session is run under the supervision of a qualified adult.
A game of dodgeball where the strongest throwers dominate and half the group stands still. ADAPT: softer balls, so being hit does not hurt and fear drops. Throw underarm only, which narrows the strength gap. Hit players rejoin after ten seconds, so nobody sits out. Two teams of six rather than ten, so everyone gets the ball. Same game, four changes, and now everyone is playing — which is the leader's actual job.