Team Battle Day - Tips for Coaches

Before the Battles

• Arrive with your team 15-20 minutes before your battle begins. Check-in to receive your specific battle schedule.
• Take a moment to “huddle” with your team: calm nerves, take a few photos, and give a pre-battle pep talk.
• Reassure your team captain and give last-minute reminders about rules and strategy.

During the Battles

• Take a seat in the battle room that is least distracting for your team. Tell them where you are planning to sit.
• Model positive behavior during battles and keep a smile on your face.
• Between battles, take a moment with your team to diffuse any issues from the first battle and focus on a clean slate
  for the next battle. Losing a battle does not mean your team is out of contention.

After the Battles

• Proceed to your designated auditorium after the three battles.
• Gather your team together and take some time to recap the positive moments from the battles and from your team's whole journey.
  Many students experience a “let down” or “low” feeling after competing. It is important to debrief together and perhaps even
  arrange a post-battles celebration to end the day on a high note (see ideas below).
• Provide each team member with their Superlative Award Certificate.
• Finalize your plans to attend the Championship & All Team Finale to share in the pizza party, team prizes, meeting author Grace Lin, and seeing the final battle.

Places to Celebrate after Team Battle Day

• Go to a restaurant or coffee shop for a meal, ice cream, or hot chocolate.
  A few nearby options: Thats’a Pizza, Jimmy Johns, Dickies BBQ, Culvers, Biggby Coffee, Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
• Ask a parent to host everyone at their house with a potluck, ice cream sundae bar, or popcorn with a movie.
• Head over to the Open Skate at the Civic Center (offered at 3:00 & 7:00 pm on March 9th).
• Visit the Coin Slot Arcade or go bowling or to the arcade at Lucky Jack’s.