COACH ROLE PLAY

HEAD COACH – STUDENT A

With your partner, choose a sporting event you would like to take part in (throwing events, jumping events and running events)
alongside the country you’d like to represent.

1. You’re the head coach of the sporting event you have already chosen. You’ve just seen that your colleague (student B) has just
joined the team as the new professional coach.
2. Say hi and show surprise (you haven’t seen him/her for ages!).
3. In order to achieve a better performance for your athletes, discuss with the new coach (your colleague) the following points:
o The itinerary for your team. You start giving your opinion on how to start.
For example, when they have reached this point, they can…
o Strategies on how making the most of your athletes. You start sharing one of the strategies you’ve thought of. Then, you’re
going to listen to the coach’s strategies but you know the last word is yours. For example, they should accelerate cadence at X
point.
o Tips and tricks for the athletes. You think you have excellent ideas: defend them by giving good arguments and
authorization.
For example, remind the team that they must be careful with…
4. You start! And remember that you want the best for your team!
5. You MUST get an agreement about itinerary, strategies and tips!
COACH ROLE PLAY

ATHLETISM COACH – STUDENT B

With your partner, choose a sporting event you would like to take part in (throwing events, jumping events and running events) alongside the
country you’d like to represent.

1. Today, you start your new job as a coach for the Olympic Games, and you have a lot of experience as an international coach. You realise that
your boss, the head coach (student A), is a colleague that studied with you long time ago.
2. Say hello and show surprise (you haven’t seen him/her for ages!).
3. In order to achieve a better performance for your athletes, discuss with the head coach (your colleague) the following points:
o The itinerary of your team. Listen carefully to the head coach and decide if you agree, partially agree or disagree with him/her. For
example, I agree because…/ What if athletes go…? / It think it might be a better idea if….
o Strategies on how making the most of your athletes. Listen to your head coach. You think he/she has got old-fashioned ideas and that
you can offer “fresher” ideas. Give your own ideas politely.
Example: It can be true but it might be better for athletes that they… because…
o Tips and tricks for the athletes. You think that the head coach has fairly good ideas but you can add some more information or ideas to your
head coach’s. Be polite.
For example, that’s great and what if we also teach athletes… / Good idea! And how about telling athletes that…?
o Student A starts. Remember you want the best for your team and to keep the job!
o You MUST get an agreement about itinerary, strategies and tips!
EXPRESSIONS TO AGREE, DISAGREE, ASK OPINION
Disagree
Giving your opinion Agree
I don't really agree with you…
I reckon/think/believe/ suppose (that)… I totally/fully/partly agree.
I don’t (really) think (so/that) …
In my view ... Exactly/Definitely/ Absolutely.
I see things differently.
It seems to me (that)… I couldn’t agree more.
I see your point, but…
To my mind, You have a point.
I agree up to a point.
I have the impression that… You're right. Also, I would say that…
I’m not sure about that…
Personally, I can understand your view on it and…
You could say that, however…
I don’t know you but I… I take your word on it…
We don’t seem to agree here…
Well, if you ask me ...
I hold the view that ... How to interrupt politely
In my opinion, I'm sorry, but ... Changing topic
Can/May I add something? Shall we discuss…?
If I might add something… Speaking of… what should we….?
Sorry to interrupt, but ... By the way,
Asking clarification or opinion
Are you saying that….?
What do you think?
Excuse me for a second, but…
What's your opinion?
How about…? What if (we/I/you…) …? Summarising
What's your view on …..? In a nutshell,
Fillers
What’s your take on…? To make a long story short,
So, You know,
Don’t you think (that) …? The bottom line is…
I mean, …, you see, …
So, we agree that…
You see, …