|
The TOPSoccer Buddy -
To Volunteer Complete the Student Buddy Volunteer Form & Fax it to Susan Mulligan at 703-880-7131.
TOPSoccer Buddies are invaluable volunteers who participate directly with individual players or within a team with several players to enable participation in a soccer activity. The TOPSoccer buddy is not a player and does not score goals. They help the TOPSoccer player succeed and keep them as safe as possible. TOPSoccer Buddies can be a same-aged peer, a teenager or an adult. They can be a soccer player, someone who works with special needs children or someone who has no soccer experience, but a strong desire to enable children to have fun. Some examples of the role of the buddy are:
The role of the buddy may include but not be limited to:
• Enables player to participate/play
• Assists/Creates/Directs/Guides/Teaches in a FUN but learning environment
• Continuously monitor/assess the player
• Role varies widely depending upon needs of the player
• Interact with players, coaches, parents
Physical needs:
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
• Create opportunities for play
• Provide assistance as needed
• Assist player to get into position to play
Cognitive needs:
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
• Provide instruction directly during play
• Model desired skill
• Help to define the space and “strategies”
Behavioral needs:
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
• Provide 1:1 assistance to model desired behaviors
• Assist player to focus on the activity
• Use a quiet “time out” as needed without being negative
Sensory needs:
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
• Provide stability in an often chaotic environment
• Guide and direct, often not touching player directly, but being near-by
• Create space around the player
• Allow for quiet time
Hearing needs:
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
• Show activity and environment
|