John Stout, Spirit League Board Member and Athletic Committee Member, is an Adapted P.E. Specialist with a local school district. He has provided the following tips for parents and volunteers who want to help kids and young adults with special needs practice their running and kicking skills.
Pre-Run/Practice Tips (1 minute)
- Have runners put their hands on their stomachs and take in a series of full deep breaths through their noses.
- Have them feel their stomach expand as they breathe in and contract at they breathe out.
- Breath in for two seconds (count) and breath out for two seconds (count)
- Benefits of Pre-Run/Practice Tips
- Focuses and energizes kids in preparation for practice
- Reminds kids to breath while they run
- Helps prevent side cramps
- Running Tips
- Stand Tall (good posture)
- Head and eyes looking ahead
- Shoulders down and relaxed
- Elbows bent at a 90 degree angle and swing naturally
- Breath in/out about every 2-3 steps
- Kicking Skills-Using the Inseam (Shoelaces) to Kick the Ball
- Non-kicking foot is planted next to the soccer ball (a couple inches to the right or left of the ball). The non-kicking (planted) foot points where you want the ball to go.
- Contact the ball with the shoelaces or inseam of the foot. Make sure the kicking foot is firm.
- Follow through with the kicking foot towards the target.
- Practice-Inseam Kicking Skills
- Stationary Position (10 kicks): Non-kicking foot is planted next to the ball. Kick the ball with inseam/laces of the shoe and follow through to the target. *Parents may need to help properly position children with their planting foot.
- One Step (10 kicks): Take a step and plant the non-kicking foot next to the ball. Kick with the inseam (shoelaces) and follow through to the target.
- Multiple Steps (10+ kicks): Approach the ball, plant foot next to the ball, kick with the inseam/shoelaces, and follow through to the target. *Start from a couple steps away and work your way up to greater distances and a quicker approach.
