What happens when your first move doesn’t work? Do you stop, or do you find another way?
During this week’s lesson, players connected adaptability with agility and discussed how adjusting to unexpected situations helps them become stronger athletes and make better decisions.
Here are our key takeaways:
- Stay Sharp
- Healthy, substance-free choices help protect the focus, coordination, and decision-making skills needed on and off the field.
- Pause & Reframe
- Take a breath and think to yourself: “I can adjust. I can try a new approach. I can keep going.”
- Quick & Confident
- Practice quick & confident ways to respond in high-pressure social situations.
- Mentor Pivot
- Learning to listen to adult guidance is a big part of growing our capacity to handle challenges!
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The Play Smart, Live Strong initiative by the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association empowers our youth to make healthy choices on and off the field. Together with the Saipan Soccer School, we are using the power of soccer to promote substance-free lifestyles and reduce the risk factors related to underage drinking and marijuana use.
Every week we will share about our practical lessons, group discussion highlights, and soccer skills we learned to support our players as they Play Smart, Live Strong!
