How to Motivate 6th Graders in Sports

To motivate sixth-graders to play and excel in sports, embrace the fun, social side of athletics to ensure that your student athletes enjoy competing. You can encourage and praise personal achievement, but it's more important to teach pupils to have fun regardless of their athletic abilities. This will motivate your sixth-grade athletes to play their hardest without putting too much emotional stake in the outcome of the game.

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold regularly scheduled practices for your sixth-grade athletes. Mix practice drills such as stretches and sprints with fun sports games. Provide numerous options for these games and have your sixth-graders to vote on their favorite practice game at each practice. This motivates them to show up at every practice and have fun while also providing them with the exercise and training that they need.

    • 2

      Encourage personal development rather than focusing on skill level. This motivates pupils to persist at their sport regardless of how well they perform. If a pupil is struggling to perform well, provide extra advice and encouragement. It's important for sixth-graders to focus personal progress and having fun rather than comparing their skills to those of their peers.

    • 3

      Emphasize the importance of team participation. Not only does the team perform better with good cooperation, it also makes the game more social and involving for all students. At practices, join in the games and pass the ball to pupils who participate the least. This gives them both practice and confidence, and motivates them to participate more fully in the game when on their own.

    • 4

      Hold regular pep talks during and after games and practices. Whether your team wins or loses, emphasize the positive aspects of the game, such as good plays and extra effort put forth. It's important to make your sixth-graders realize that losing doesn't matter as long as they have fun and try their hardest.