Sidecoaching is real-time coaching that happens while playing scenes in training or rehearsal. It helps players make adjustments while maintaining the momentum of the scene. Sidecoaching reminds players about useful tools at opportune moments. It also helps players break old habits and establish new ones.
How to sidecoach others
Sidecoaching requires a keen eye and a light touch. The idea isn’t to address every issue that shows up in a scene. It’s about making the fewest adjustments that have the greatest impact. Here are some best practices when sidecoaching others.
Speak clearly – Players need to hear what you say. Speak with a clear, strong voice, but keep the emotion out of it. Emotionally charged speech comes across as judgmental.
Be concise – Keep what you say brief and pithy. (“Take the risk.” “Make a declaration.”) Many of the bolded concepts in this book are sidecoaching phrases.
Repeat once – After you deliver sidecoaching, watch for it to be applied. If there’s no change, repeat it once more. If this doesn’t produce a change let it go. The issue can be addressed when the scene is over.
Reward the change – When players implement sidecoaching, reward them with a quick affirmation like “Good!” or “Nice!” This provides feedback that acknowledges their success.
Hold your tongue – There are two circumstances in which sidecoaching is needed. The first is when players are not doing something that they should do. In this case, hold your tongue. Wait five seconds before you sidecoach. Give players the opportunity to self-correct before you offer sidecoaching.
Catch it quick – The second circumstance in which sidecoaching is needed is when players have done something that needs to be adjusted. In this case, sidecoach right away. Make the course correction immediately so players don’t dig themselves into a deeper hole. The change is applied as though it’s what was done to begin with.
The inter-actor asks the spect, “Who are you?” The coach calls out, “You know her.” Without missing a beat, the inter-actor makes the adjustment and says, “Miss Clarkson, so good to see you again.”
Pause/play – If you need to share more than a brief bit of sidecoaching, pause the scene. The players freeze and you can share what you need to say. When you’re done, call “Play” and the action continues. Don’t pause a scene too often because it undermines the momentum.
Pause/rewind – If the scene has gone past the moment when an adjustment needed to be made, pause the scene and offer sidecoaching. Then identify where to rewind to and play resumes.
Call the scene – Identifying the scene’s end is often a part of sidecoaching. When a good ending happens, call “Scene.” It’s also appropriate to call the scene if the players are struggling too much.
Being sidecoached
When you’re the one who’s being sidecoached, here are some things to remember.
Stay in the scene – When you receive sidecoaching, don’t stop and look at the coach. Stay in character and continue to play. If the sidecoaching directs you to do something, keep playing and do it. If the sidecoaching alters something of what you’ve already done, make the adjustment and treat it as though it’s what you did to begin with. If you don’t hear what was said, keep playing. The sidecoaching will be repeated.
Curb your ego – When sidecoached, you may be tempted to explain yourself. (E.g., “I was just about to do that.”) Don’t do this. Curb your ego and apply the sidecoaching and see what you discover. The time for discussion is after the scene is over.
Small adjustments can have a big impact. Sidecoaching allows changes to be made while maintaining the momentum of the scene.
Updated: August 22, 2024
