Set the Table
Sports is a game of ebb’s and flows and ups and downs. How you handle those ups and downs are usually communicated to everyone else through your body language. Do you often pout with your head down? Do you cross your arms in an act of defiance? Is your inability to stand-up straight an indicator you lack confidence?
Oftentimes players struggle with poor body language simply because they can’t see what they’re saying. Because they can’t see what they’re saying they also don’t think it’s having a negative effect on their teammates. Unfortunately, their poor body language is communicating a negative message that needs to be eliminated from the team. It has the potential to hurt themselves, the team and can also give the opponents a competitive advantage. During this exercise your players will be able to see their body language front and center and allow them to look into the mirror.
"“I had never thought about my body language until the runway exercise. We were able to guess the language so quickly which made me realize my body language speaks pretty clearly.”"
Girls Field Hockey Starter
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Lesson Plan
Example Video
See Body Language Runway in action below to get a better understanding of how to teach the the Exercise.
Exercise Reminder Card
To emphasize and reinforce the lessons learned in this exercise with your players, download and share this graphic with them 24 hours after completing the exercise.
Quiz Questions
Use these questions below to engage after you have taught the exercise.
- Why is it important to be mindful of our body language?
- Our body language never stops ___________.
- How can we speak a language without ever speaking?
At Home
Coaches, use the below question, reflection, and action to engage parents, guardians, and other family members in the lessons learned in this exercise.
Suggestions on how to use: Email to parents the day you have taught this lesson, add it to the materials you send home, or text it to text message threads with your players.
- Question: Why is it important to be aware of your body language?
- Reflection: When do you feel like you struggle with having positive body language most often?
- Action: What emotion do you want your body language to express this week? What can you do to make sure you intentionally express that emotion?
Coach’s Reflection
Coach, take a moment to reflect on the lesson and how you can lead by example to your players.
Coach, have you ever watched your body language on game film? Where can you improve the most? After officials’ calls? Players’ mistakes? Share what you discover with the coaches on your staff, and engage your fellow coaches in a discussion on how important your body language is as a coach and what type of message we want to send as a coaching staff.