Assist Protocol (Kids)
How to learn by helping before you lead kids classes.
After completing four kids shadow sessions, you'll spend six sessions assisting an experienced kids coach: three Little Lions classes and three Golden Tigers classes. The order doesn't matter, but you need reps in both programs.
Assisting means you're actively helping in the room, but the lead coach is still running the class. You're a resource, not the decision-maker.
For the fundamentals (adult) assist protocol, see Assist Protocol (Fundamentals).
What Assists Do in Kids Classes
Everything from the fundamentals assist protocol applies, plus:
- Handle behavioral moments. When the lead coach is running a game and a kid melts down, refuses to participate, or gets too rough with a partner, you step in. This is one of the most valuable things an assistant does in a kids room. It lets the lead coach keep class moving while the situation gets handled.
- Manage parents. If a parent has a question or concern during class, you handle it so the lead coach can stay focused on the kids. Friendly, brief, and redirect anything serious to after class.
- Hand-pick partners when asked. The lead coach may ask you to pair kids up. Match on timidity level first, then size. Avoid pairing timid kids with aggressive ones.
- Run the sticker closeout (Little Lions). The lead coach may hand this to you. Give every kid a sticker and one specific piece of praise. Not "good job." Something concrete: "You did a great job stopping when the timer went off" or "I saw you help your partner up after that round."
- Sit with kids who are sitting out. If a kid is sitting out (injury, behavioral timeout, overwhelmed), sit with them briefly. Check in. Don't force them back. Let them re-enter when they're ready.
What Assists Don't Do in Kids Classes
Everything from the fundamentals assist protocol applies, plus:
- Don't undermine the lead coach's boundary enforcement. If the lead coach gave a kid burpees and the kid comes to you looking for a softer response, hold the line. "Coach said burpees, so let's do burpees." Inconsistency between coaches teaches kids that pushing works.
- Don't negotiate with kids about rules. The rules are the rules. If a kid argues, the answer is brief and final. Don't get drawn into a debate with a 6-year-old about whether their foot was in bounds.
- Don't be the "fun coach" at the expense of boundaries. New coaches often try to win kids over by being loose. This creates problems for the lead coach and for you when you eventually lead. Be warm, be silly, be fun, and hold the line.
Before and After Each Session
Before class:
- Know the class structure for the program you're assisting (Little Lions or Golden Tigers)
- Review the New Student Protocol for the relevant age group
- Check in with the lead coach: ask if there are any kids to watch out for (behavioral patterns, injuries, new students expected)
After class:
- Debrief with the lead coach (even two minutes is enough)
- Ask: Were there behavioral moments I should have handled differently? How did you think my partner pairings went? What would you change?
- Write your own reflection: How did I handle the behavioral stuff? Was I holding boundaries or softening them?
Check Your Understanding
The Sessions
Each session has its own page. Read it before that class, then do its quiz and reflection after.
- Assist Session 1: Being Present and Handling Behavioral Moments
- Assist Session 2: Being Present and Handling Behavioral Moments
- Assist Session 3: Running Segments and Managing Partners
- Assist Session 4: Running Segments and Managing Partners
- Assist Session 5: Owning Full Segments
- Assist Session 6: Owning Full Segments
When You're Done
After six assist sessions, you move to co-leading: splitting the class with another experienced kids coach. One of you runs the first half (warmup + standing game); the other runs the second half (ground game + recall + closeout). You plan together before class and debrief after.
Co-lead for six sessions (3 Little Lions + 3 Golden Tigers), then solo with supervision for four (2 Little Lions + 2 Golden Tigers). The full progression:
| Phase | Sessions | What you're doing |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow | 4 (2 LL + 2 GT) | Observing only |
| Assist | 6 (3 LL + 3 GT) | Helping the lead coach, running handed-off segments |
| Co-lead | 6 (3 LL + 3 GT) | Running full segments independently, splitting the class |
| Solo with supervision | 4 (2 LL + 2 GT) | Running the entire class, experienced coach observes |
That's 20 sessions total. Any phase can be extended if you or the lead coach don't feel ready to move on. The minimums are firm: don't shortcut a phase to get on the floor faster.