Overview
“Lifeguard” teaches players to look out for each other like lifeguards at a pool, helping prevent teammates from “drowning” by slipping into bad habits. A Lifeguard Team watches out for “warning signs” and keeps everyone in a good place, aiming for a “Zero Rescue Season” (ZRS), where no teammate “drowns.”
"Ever since being introduced to the Lifeguard concept I’ve had a completely different perspective on my role as a leader. I understand the need to be proactive and “jumping in” to help my teammates performance stay high. It’s been a huge game-changer for me."
Varsity Girls Basketball Player – Maryland
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Lesson Plan
Lifeguard Lesson Plan
Language Guide
Lifeguards
Individuals who raise the performance of others and help keep them above the standards, i.e. “above the water” to prevent them from drowning
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: What is the role of a lifeguard?
- Reflection: How can you help your teammates from going into the red?
- Action: Share the warning signs you will be looking for to help your teammates stay in the Green.
Coach’s Reflection
Coach, take a moment to reflect on the lesson and how you can lead by example to your players.
Coach, how can you serve your coaching staff as a lifeguard? Sure, it’s important for the players to serve as lifeguards for one another, but what about the coaches? Coaches need lifeguarding too. Think about what would be potential warning signs for a coach falling into red. How would you lifeguard a coach that needs saving?