Adapt your coaching style to suit each child’s needs when demonstrating, providing instructions or giving feedback. 

Offer subtle guidance without interrupting the game, where possible. 

Use questions to encourage strategic thinking in a game, e.g. ‘Where should you move to receive a pass?’.  

Modifying the size of the goals or number of passes needed to score. 

For example: if the goal area is too small and it is difficult for players to score, the game can quickly lose its excitement. 

This can create more space and opportunities to score points. It can also help shift the focus of the activity, allowing children to build more specific skills. 

Modifying the size or shape of a playing field can help influence the way a game is played.

Larger areas can benefit attacking players, while smaller areas can help defending players. If a fast player is using a large playing area to score the most points, reducing the space can create a more balanced game. 

Modifying playing areas can be an easy change during practice to develop skills, fun and participation.  

Consider using different team sizes or varying the number of turns. 

     For example: playing 3 vs 2 encourages creativity and highlights specific skills. 

Smaller teams can increase player involvement and maximise participation. 

    For example: try having 4 or 5 children set up to hit the tee ball rather than one child at a time with a long line waiting for their turn. 

Adjust rules to provide new challenges or opportunities for players. For example: 

• allowing 2 bounces instead of one for tennis or cricket
• specify that 3 team members to touch the ball before scoring
• allowing players to roll instead of throwing the ball in baseball. 

Explaining why the rules are being changed in game play and practice can help kids focus and develop important skills. 

Modify equipment size or the type to suit the players’ abilities can make games easier or harder depending on the goal. 

For example:  

• using a tennis racquet instead of a baseball bat
• using a larger soft ball instead of a cricket ball.  

This allows children to complete movement patterns with greater precision and execution. 

Allow children to be included in changing the game. 

If it’s safe and follows some basic rules and boundaries, children can stay engaged and get creative. 

Ask the team how they would modify the game to involve more players or score more points.  

When you are too rigid about how a game is ‘meant to be played', you often miss out on the skill development and fun that comes with sports. 

Instead of asking children to wait their turn, the CHANGE IT principles aim to involve all children to enhance participation and enjoyment. It allows children to develop skills outside of traditional game structures, enabling sports to be fun, inclusive, and creative. 

When setting up a game for children, simply explain the boundaries of play and safety rules. By keeping instructions short, children can be creative and modify the game once they start. 

For more information, visit the Playing for Life resources.