Soccer mom/coach needs HELP | ADHD Information

Start off practice by having the team run two full laps around the track. You could set up a reward system with the parent. Just get a small piece of construction paper, draw a circle for every 10 or 15 minutes, and get stickers. For every time slot she gets a sticker if she meets the target behavior. Maybe just start with on-task, or not running into people. Pick one and build from that when she masters it. Have lots of praise comments in mind and keep them rollling. If she fills up the chart (or 8 out of 10), the parent gives a reward. Maybe frozen yogurt after practice. Something simple.

I have been coaching soccer for several years now and my own child is pretty severe ADHD with ODD and bi-polar issues.

I am completely perplexed on how to aproach this child on my soccer team who is only diagnosed as ADHD, but she is so much more to handle than anything I am used to.

We are trying to come up with new strategies to keep her engaged and on task.  She also has no concept of personal boundaries and is either going to hurt herself or another child if things do not improve.  This little dynamo would put rugby players to shame with the physicality of her play!!!  She goes running towards the group and the other kids go flying like bowling pins.

If anyone has seen any strategies or has a suggestion...  I am all ears!!!

Start with expectations. It's easier to avoid trouble than fix it afterwards.

Here's how I'd start.

Tell your little dynamo what behaviours are okay on the field and what are not. Better yet ask her if she thinks those rules mean because your concept and hers may be very different regardless of the "official" rules.
Get her agreement that she will try to adhere to good gameplayIf she boxes up, pull her out quickly and ask her to tell you what she agreed on. Ask her what she thinks you can do to help her practise good gameplay.
Ask her what she is going to do the next time. Get agreement again.Also keep in mind that she can't focus for long so try to keep conversation down to a minimum. When she does adhere--use a lot of praise. This kid is unfortunately accustomed to negative messages.

That sounds like my child before he started meds.  No matter what was happening, he'd charge and try to get the ball, even if it meant shoving people out of his way.  We never came up with any successful strategies.  I didn't sign him up for soccer, and for P.E. we made him the referee to avoid that issue.  That won't help you, though.  Goalie seems like a great position for this child.  By staying in the net and trying to block shots, that should eliminate the physical contact.  If she's going to play other positions, I'd really work with her on the role of each position and work with her on the space she's supposed to stay in.  Maybe some tighter guidelines would help her focus and help her stay more settled down (vs. charging all over and sending people flying). 

As you may already know, many people with ADHD need things broken down into small steps.  So, let her know specifically what she's supposed to do when trying to get the ball from an opponent.  After introducing a concept, you need to practice it, and then apply it in the real situation.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

This whole situation was weighig very heavily on me yesterday when I posted.  I had an extensive conversation with her parents last night and we are going to try and employ the same phrases they are using in school to help with consistency.

We have discussed locking her into playing one position for the year, but that isn't really the philosophy of the program.  It's just so tough when you KNOW what kids are capable of doing and I hate to clip her wings before she has a chance to fly.

Blessedly the family is willing to do their part as well as being open to new ideas... That is likely going to be our salvation!!!!

 

Keep the ideas coming though!!!  no idea will go unheard!