Copy Cat
A form activity that promotes positive attitudes and teaches how attitudes and feelings can affect running
Instructions:
- You can do Copy Cat standing or jogging in place.
- Announce a feeling or attitude (e.g. "tired") and have runners act it out.
- Then, announce its opposite (e.g. "energetic") and have runners act out that feeling or attitude.
- Continue with a variety of attitudes and feelings such as Tired/Energetic; Tense/Relaxed; Shy/Confident; Angry/Happy; Wild/Controlled; Heavy/Light; and Weak/Strong.
- Repeat the exercise throughout the season, asking kids to act out how they feel and then asking them to show you their "ready to run" attitudes.
Performance Points:
- Discuss and compare the effects of negative and positive attitudes.
- Remind kids that part of being a great athlete is acting like one – confident, energetic, controlled and happy.
- Have fun with it!
Training Specifics:
When: At the beginning of the running session
Benefits:
Increases awareness of how attitudes can affect running form and cultivates positive attitudes while running, which will lead to happier, more confident runners with better form
