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.
What is a TOPSoccer Buddy?
• TOPSoccer Buddies are facilitators.
• They assist the TOPSoccer players to enable player participation.
• Buddies can be the same age, younger or older, a teenager or an adult.
• Buddies can be a soccer player, someone who works with special needs children, or someone who has no soccer experience, but has a strong desire to enable TOPSoccer players to be successful and to have FUN.
The Role of the TOPSoccer Buddy
• Assists/Creates/Directs/Guides in a FUN but safe, learning environment
• Player Safety
Ø Aware of safety zones around the player
Ø Interacts with coaches and/or parents concerning likes/dislikes, noises
Ø Continuously monitors the player for:
- Fatigue
- Frustration/Melt-downs
- Necessary water breaks
• Creates opportunities for the player to be successful
• Mirror play- activities that are played one-on-one with the player in the vicinity of the group so that the player can mimic the activities but does not have to be directly involved
The Buddies’ Role for Players with Physical Needs
• Create safe playing situations by creating safety zones around the player
Ø Walkers, wheelchairs, crutches
• Create opportunities for play
Ø Ball retrieval/control
Ø Keep the ball close to the player
Ø Balance
• Assist player to get into position to play
The Buddies’ Role for Players with Cognitive Needs
• Provide instruction directly during play
• Model desired skill
• Help to define the space and “strategies”
Ø “We are the blue team.”
Ø “We are going in this direction.”
Ø “This is how we stop the ball.”
The Buddies’ Role for Players with Behavioral/Sensory Needs or Attention Issues
• 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
• Mirror Play or create space around the player
• Provide stability in a chaotic environment
• Guide & direct, often not touching the player directly, but being close proximity
The Buddies’ Role for Hard of Hearing/Deaf Players
• Safety awareness
• Demonstrate the activity
• Ensure the player understands instructions
• Use touch/sign language/pictures to guide and direct
• Direct the ball to the player for contact and touches
The Buddies’ Role for Partially Sighted/Blind Players
• Safety awareness
Ø Field surface
Ø Environment
• Describe the activity and environment
• May provide a balance & mobility support, with player holding Buddy’s forearm
• Use voice, hands, arms to direct and guide
• Direct the ball to the player for contact & touches
The Buddies’ Role for Players with Walker/Wheelchairs
• Safety awareness
Ø Field surface
Ø Environment
• Check on walker/wheelchair safety (equipment check)
• Create opportunity for walker/wheelchair player to participate
Ø Ball retrieval
Ø Keep ball close to “feed” the player
• Push wheelchair for participation, if necessary
Buddy Guidelines
• The purpose of the Buddy is to assist the TOPSoccer Players, not participate as players themselves!
Ø Does not score
• Can stop a ball from going out of bounds
• Can shield around their player
• Can guide their player to the ball
• Can position the ball for the player
Buddy Education
• Coach/administrator instructs/teaches buddy prior to the activity
• Safety for the Buddy
Ø Risk Management
Ø Education will help insure buddies are comfortable and successful
- Comfort level will increase
Ø Relax, smile, have fun
• Coach should talk to buddy/buddies before and after each session
Ø Players and buddy concerns
Buddy Recruitment
• State/Club/TOPSoccer Program web sites
• State Association/State Office personnel
• Local Soccer Clubs
• Soccer Teams - Rec/Select/ODP/High School
• High Schools
• Boy and Girl Scouts/ Church groups
• Community College
Buddy Recruitment
• Friends of current Buddies
• Community Service Programs
Ø High Schools
- Many require community service to graduate
• Volunteer Fairs
• Siblings of players
• Local Youth Groups/ Church groups/Scouts
In other words… Ask Everyone!
Buddy Retention
• Buddies must feel what they are doing is helpful and important
• Recognize accomplishments
• Be flexible
• Allow to attend at their convenience
• Give buddies awards, certificates, recognition for their participation
• Thank buddies, (coaches, parents, & players, too) at end of each session