How to coach kids who don't speak english!

How to coach kids who don't speak english!

I am currently coaching chinese students at an average age of about 7. Its for a basketball camp so there are no competitions or games to prepare for, merely working on individual skills. The problem I have is mostly with the language. I am currently a student so I know some of the language but not enough to exlain how a drill will work. Anyone have experience with this or any advice otherwise? I am a just a basketball player turned coach so any advice no matter how simple would be appreciated.

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TOP ANSWER
Basketball CoachCoach

Hi Arlin, I support and agree with Alex advices but you make a valid point in your question you were a basketball player before .... so your demotration in practice is very important in every drill that you want to show to your players it is more than a speech about proper technique, look for only technical words simple ones a good demostration with simples and fun drills. Trust me I know already how it is at the begining is hard and but lilttle by little is morer fun than strees> good luck

ANSWERS
Ian MarshCoach, England

Hi Arlin,

Why don't you print out your session plans and show the children how the drills work, or even better play the drills to them using an iPad or a laptop?

Another option is the use of colour. You can use coloured bibs and cones to make it easy for players to know what/where they should be doing/going. For instance, red bibs move along the red cones.

Good luck!
Alex

Basketball CoachCoach

Hi Arlin, I support and agree with Alex advices but you make a valid point in your question you were a basketball player before .... so your demotration in practice is very important in every drill that you want to show to your players it is more than a speech about proper technique, look for only technical words simple ones a good demostration with simples and fun drills. Trust me I know already how it is at the begining is hard and but lilttle by little is morer fun than strees> good luck

Basketball CoachCoach

Great answers from Alex & Andy - Visuals are the key. Always demonstrate the drill but you could ask a colleague for help with keywords like 'sprint', 'pass', 'dribble' etc... I use this a lot with kids and using both means a two-way learning experience

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