Table 1 Coding scheme, definitions, and examples for each contextual variable

Task

The purpose of the time segment.

 Warm-up

Time devoted to a routine execution of physical activity with a purpose to prepare the individual for engaging in further activity, but not designed to alter the skill or fitness of the individual on a long-term basis. Usually occurs in the beginning of practice [29]

At the beginning of practice the coach has kids do a serious of dynamic warm-ups and stretches as a group (high knees, lunges, butt kicks, etc.)

 Free play

Time during which adult influence of task choice is not intended [29].

The coach has footballs for the kids to play with at the beginning of practice but does not tell the kids what activities to do or not to do.

 Fitness

Time where major purpose is to alter the physical state in terms of cardiovascular endurance, strength or flexibility [29, 29].

Running sprints

 Sport Skill

Adult-led activity time devoted to practice of skills with the primary goal of skill development [9, 29, 31].

Passing drills, flag grabbing drills

 Game play

Adult-led time devoted to playground games where skills are not directly applicable to a competitive sport game and there is little to no adult instruction or feedback [9, 29, 31].

Tag, sharks and minnows

 Scrimmage

Adult-led activity time devoted to the refinement and extension of skills in a sport game where two opposing teams are created within a team. Minimal interference from the coach [9, 29, 31].

Within a team, the kids are playing a mock football game

 Strategy

Time devoted to transmitting information related to rules and strategy of the sport [29, 31].

Putting in or practicing an offensive play, defensive system, etc.

 Management

Time allocated to managerial and organization activities, time devoted to team business that is unrelated to instructional activity [29, 31].

Time out, opening huddle, closing huddle

 Self-care

Time devoted to washing, using the rest room, or drinking water.

Water break

Member Arrangement

The arrangement of the setting members within an segment.

 Solitary

Child is doing activity alone [9, 29, 31].

During a dribbling drill, the child is practice by him or herself.

 One v One

Child is doing activity with only one additional participant [9].

During a blocking drill, each child has a partner and they take turn blocking.

 Small group

Child is performing an activity with greater than one other child, but less than the full team [9].

During a receiving drill, the full team is split into two groups. Each group has their own drill to complete, and the groups are not working together.

 Whole group

All children are participating in an activity [9, 29, 31].

All kids go to water break at the same time.

Setting Demand

Population distribution that influences the system

 Optimal

Time period when there are an equal number of opportunities to participate as children to participate (i.e., fosters participation) [20].

During tag all 7 kids are playing at the same time, during warm-up all the kids are on the line at the same time

 Disadvantaged

Time period when there are a fewer number of opportunities to participate than children available to participate (i.e., fosters exclusion) [20].

During tag, if you get tagged you have to sit on the sideline until all of the children are out. During a passing drill, only 1 child is receiving the pass at a time, the rest are waiting in line behind him.