Lesson Plan
Impulse Control: Think Before You Act!
Students will be able to identify impulsive behaviors on and off the flag football field, understand their potential impact on gameplay and teamwork, and practice strategies for pausing and making thoughtful choices.
Learning to manage impulses is essential for sportsmanship, teamwork, and overall success in flag football. It helps students make better plays, communicate effectively, and maintain positive relationships with teammates and opponents, skills valuable both on the field and in life.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, mindfulness practice, and guided reflection with flag football scenarios.
Prep
Review Materials & Setup
15 minutes
• Review the Flag Football Impulse Control Slides to familiarize yourself with the content and flow.
• Print enough copies of the My Daily Game Day Reflection for each student.
• Familiarize yourself with the Mindful Breathing for Athletes Script for the calm-down activity.
• Ensure you have a projector or interactive whiteboard ready for the slide deck. Consider having a flag football (or any soft ball) and a flag belt on hand for visual aids during discussion.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction: Impulsivity on the Field
5 minutes
• Begin by asking students: 'Have you ever done something quickly in a game or practice without thinking, and then wished you hadn't?' (e.g., throwing a flag, yelling at a teammate, making a quick, bad play).
• Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing that even great athletes experience this.
• Introduce the concept of 'impulsivity' as acting or speaking without pausing to think about the consequences, especially in the heat of the game.
• Use Flag Football Impulse Control Slides (Slide 1-3) to guide this introduction.
Step 2
Mindful Moment: The Athletic Pause Button
3 minutes
• Explain that one way to manage impulsivity in sports is to hit our 'inner pause button.'
• Lead students through a quick mindful breathing exercise using the Mindful Breathing for Athletes Script.
• Encourage them to notice how it feels to pause and focus, relating it to staying calm under pressure during a game.
Step 3
Identifying Impulsive Plays & Their Impact
5 minutes
• Present various scenarios of impulsive behaviors in flag football (e.g., arguing with a referee, throwing a flag in frustration, making a risky pass without looking, shouting at teammates) using Flag Football Impulse Control Slides (Slide 4-6).
• For each scenario, ask students: 'What happened? What was the impact on the game/team? What could have been a more thoughtful choice?'
• Emphasize that these behaviors can lead to penalties, poor plays, and hurt team morale.
Step 4
Worksheet: My Daily Game Day Reflection
5 minutes
• Distribute the My Daily Game Day Reflection.
• Instruct students to begin completing the worksheet, reflecting on their impulses and 'pause plans' for different situations, especially those related to flag football. This worksheet can be used daily for afternoon and end-of-day check-ins.
• Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 5
Cool Down & Wrap-Up
2 minutes
• Bring the class back together.
• Ask students to share one new strategy they learned or one commitment they're making to 'think before they act' on or off the field.
• Conclude with the Flag Football Cool Down to solidify learning and provide a final reflection opportunity.
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Slide Deck
Impulse Control: Game On, Brain On!
Have you ever made a quick decision or reaction in a game that you later wished you could take back?
Greet students and start with the engaging question, connecting it to sports. Allow for a few student responses to get them thinking about the topic.
What is Impulsivity in Flag Football?
It's when we act or speak on the field without pausing to think about what might happen next.
Sometimes it's a quick, smart play, but sometimes it can cause penalties, missed opportunities, or upset teammates!
Define impulsivity clearly for students in a sports context. Emphasize it's a common human experience, even for athletes.
Why PAUSE on the Field?
• To make smarter plays
• To be a good teammate
• To avoid penalties
• To stay calm under pressure
How can we train our brains to PAUSE during a game?
Introduce the idea of needing a strategy for game situations. Transition into the mindfulness activity.
Your Inner 'Time Out' Button
Let's try a quick mindfulness activity to find our inner pause button. This helps us slow down and focus, even in the middle of a game!
Lead the mindful breathing exercise from the script. Encourage a calm, focused environment, relating it to athletic focus.
Scenario 1: Frustration Foul
After missing a flag pull, a player yells at the referee or throws their flag in anger.
Present the first flag football scenario. Ask students to identify the impulsive behavior and its impact on the game/team. Facilitate discussion on thoughtful alternatives.
Scenario 2: The 'Hero' Play
A player tries to make an amazing, risky pass or run without checking for open teammates or a clear path, leading to an interception or a flag pull for no gain.
Present the second scenario. Discuss why this might happen and what the consequences are for throwing things in frustration, especially on a sports field.
Scenario 3: Blaming Blow-Up
After a teammate drops a pass, a player immediately shouts at them, saying 'You always mess up!'
Present the third scenario. Focus on the impact of unkind or thoughtless words/actions on teammates.
My Daily Game Day Reflection
Let's think about times we might act impulsively on or off the field, and how we can use our 'pause button' to make better choices.
You'll use this worksheet for daily reflection and check-ins!
Explain the worksheet activity. Emphasize that students will create their own plans, and this worksheet can be used daily for reflection related to sports and general life.
Remember to PAUSE! (On and Off the Field)
Taking a moment to breathe and think can make a big difference in how you respond to situations, whether you're playing flag football or just hanging out.
You are in control of your choices!
Conclude by reiterating the importance of pausing, linking it to athletic performance and character. Prepare to transition to the cool-down activity.
Script
Mindful Breathing: Your Inner Pause Button for Athletes
Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's take a quick break to find our 'inner pause button.' This is a simple way to help our brains slow down and think clearly before we act, especially when things get intense on the field. You can do this sitting comfortably at your desk, or even imagine you're on the sideline preparing for your next play."
(Pause for students to get comfortable)
Teacher: "I invite you to gently close your eyes if you feel comfortable, or just soften your gaze and look down. Let's place one hand on our belly. Can you feel it there? This is where our breathing can help us feel calm and focused."
(Pause)
Teacher: "Now, take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. Feel your belly rise as you breathe in, like a football filling with air. Let your lungs fill up, nice and full, bringing in fresh energy.
"
(Demonstrate with exaggerated breathing)
Teacher: "Hold it for just a second, and then slowly let the air out through your mouth, like you're gently letting out all the pressure. Feel your belly fall as the air leaves your body, letting go of any tension or frustration.
"
(Demonstrate)
Teacher: "Let's do that together a few more times. Breathe in... one, two, three... Feel your belly rise, filling with calm.
"
(Pause)
Teacher: "And breathe out... one, two, three... Feel your belly fall, letting go of anything that distracts you. Focus.
"
(Repeat 2-3 more times)
Teacher: "As you breathe, just notice the feeling of the air coming in and going out. If your mind starts to wander to a tough play or a big game, that's okay. Just gently bring your attention back to your breath, like a focused athlete.
"
(Pause for a few breaths)
Teacher: "This mindful breathing is like calling a 'time out' for your brain. It gives you a moment to regroup, think about your next move, and make a smart choice instead of an impulsive one. Remember, you can use this anytime, anywhere—on the field, in the classroom, or at home—when you feel an impulse bubbling up.
"
Teacher: "When you're ready, slowly open your eyes. How do you feel? Do you notice any difference in your body or your mind, like you're more ready to focus?"
(Allow for a few brief responses if time permits, or ask students to just reflect quietly.)
Worksheet
My Daily Game Day Reflection: Think Before I Act!
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
This worksheet is your daily check-in to help you notice when you act without thinking, especially on a 'game day' or any day you need to stay focused!
Afternoon Check-in (Practice/School)
-
How am I feeling right now? (Circle or write)
Ready to Play Calm Frustrated Energetic Anxious Other: ____________________ -
Have I noticed any moments today (in class, at practice, or with friends) where I almost acted without thinking, or did act impulsively?
[ ] Yes [ ] No -
If yes, briefly describe what happened (e.g., almost yelled at a teammate, ran a play without thinking, got distracted):
-
Did I use my "Pause Plan"? If so, what did I do? (e.g., took a deep breath, counted to five, asked for help)
-
What could I do differently for the rest of the afternoon (or during the rest of practice/game) if I feel an impulse?
End of Day Reflection (Game/Home)
-
Thinking back on the whole day (especially if you had a game or practice), were there times I felt an impulse to do or say something without thinking?
[ ] Yes [ ] No -
If yes, describe one specific situation (on the field, with friends, at home):
-
What was the impulsive action or words? What was the impact of that on my game, my team, or my relationships?
-
What was my thoughtful choice or what could have been a more thoughtful choice in that situation?
-
How did using (or not using) my "Pause Plan" feel today?
My Goal for Tomorrow (On and Off the Field):
What is one specific thing I will try to remember or do tomorrow to help me think before I act, especially if I'm playing or practicing flag football?
Cool Down
Flag Football Cool Down: My Game Plan for Calm
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Reflect and Share
-
Today we talked about 'impulse control' and using our 'inner pause button' both in flag football and in life. What is ONE thing you learned today that you think will be most helpful to you, especially when you're playing or practicing?
-
Think about tomorrow. What is one situation (on the field, in class, or at home) where you are going to try to use your 'pause button' and make a more thoughtful choice?
-
On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you that you can use a 'pause plan' when you feel impulsive during a game or frustrating moment? (Circle one)
1 (Not confident) 2 (A little confident) 3 (Somewhat confident) 4 (Confident) 5 (Very confident)
## Quick Draw!
Draw a small picture or symbol that reminds you to PAUSE before you act on the flag football field, or in any situation where you need to think first!