When I work with students, especially teenagers, I like to use scaling questions to check in with them. A scaling question is a quick and structured way to ask someone how they are doing. There are many easy scales to use. I typically use a 1–5 scale with high school students—1 being low and 5 being high—and have them hold up a number of fingers. With younger kids, I use a thumbs up or thumbs down.
Scaling questions are a simple yet powerful tool coaches can use to check in with their team before, during, or after practice.
Asking scaling questions at the start of practice helps create an emotionally safe environment where players feel supported to learn and grow. When I check in with the group, I say, “Take a moment to go inside your own body and reflect on how you’re doing right now.” Then I offer a simple scale, either 1 to 5 fingers or a thumbs up/down, and give them a few seconds to think and respond. I model this by showing my own number to the team.
Once I’ve taken in every player’s response, I say, “Great, thank you. If your number changes during practice and you need support, please come talk to me or another coach.”
This kind of check-in shows players that you care, without putting pressure on them to explain. It’s quick, and non-judgmental, making it easier for students to ask for help when they need it.
I’ve found that scaling questions help in the following four areas:
1. Develop Rapport with Players
Checking in at the start of practice is a quick connection point. It shows that you’re a trustworthy and caring leader and helps set a positive tone for the session. You can always follow up later if needed. When used regularly, scaling questions normalize emotional check-ins so players feel comfortable using the scale to ask for support, whether it’s urgent or not.
2. Establish a Routine
Structure is important in youth sports. When players know what to expect and aren’t caught off guard, they feel more confident and willing to take risks. Using the check-in scale as the official start of practice signals that it’s time to focus and be present with the team.
3. Monitor the Pulse of the Team
Scaling questions give you real-time insight into how your team is doing. This allows you to adjust your practice plan based on the group’s energy and emotional state. If most players report low numbers because they’re tired or overwhelmed, you might shift focus to skills over conditioning, or even keep practice short.
If a student reports a low score two practices in a row, it’s a good idea to check in directly and also connect with their family. There may be things going on outside of practice that are affecting them.
Here are a few ways to follow up:
- Coach to Player:
“I noticed you’ve reported a 1 or 2 at the last two practices. I really want to support you. How are you doing? Do you want to share what is going outside of practice?” - Coach to Parent/Guardian:
“[Player Name] has been reporting a 1 or 2 on a 5-point scale at recent practices. I really want to support them. Is something going on outside the team, and how can I help at practice?”
4. Build Self-Awareness
One of the biggest goals of youth sports is personal growth. When we ask players to reflect using scaling questions, they start learning how to recognize and name their emotions. This self-awareness helps them communicate their needs more clearly, which increases the chance those needs will be met. It’s also a key step in learning to read and respond to others’ emotions. Teaching this through sports is a powerful way to build lifelong emotional intelligence and self awareness.
So, at your next practice, give scaling questions a try! I gave you two examples, 1 to 5 fingers and thumbs up/down, but you can also use colors (red, yellow, green), emojis, or even custom icons. Just be clear about what the scale means and use it consistently to see the biggest impact.
I hope these tools help you build a strong, connected, and emotionally aware team.
