Instructional Methods for Scouts - Coach and Pupil

Developing the leadership skill of training or instructing others is an important goal of Scouting.

Using the coach-pupil method has the twofold result of perfecting a specific skill and developing teacher/leaders.

Scouts are paired up into coach-pupil teams. The instructor first guides all the teams through the basic components of the skill as a group. For a set period of time one Scout coaches and one practices the skill. At first the coach should walk the pupil through each specific component, then drill the whole skill and then observe as the scout demonstrates the skill on his own. Once the time period ends the roles reverse and the coach becomes the pupil. The instructor can observe each group in turn and offer assistance were needed. Once the coach/pupil session has ended a game or competition featuring the new skill cements it in the minds of the Scouts. It is important to stick to brief coach/pupil sessions so that the roles reverse often. It is surprising how quickly Scouts learn even complex skills when they coach another Scout.

Instructional Methods for Scouts Introduction Round Robins Guided Discovery Coach and Pupil Kim’s Game and Variations Circle Up!

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