Training Module 05 — Conflict Resolution & Anger Management
Back
MODULE 05 Life Skills & Program Workshops

Conflict Resolution & Anger Management

Teaching de-escalation, communication skills, empathy building, and restorative justice practices for youth. The 5-step model that saves lives.

90 Minutes
10–25 Participants
Ages 14–24
5-Step De-Escalation
Module 05 · AMB Training
Conflict Resolution &
Anger Management
The 5-step de-escalation model that equips youth to walk away, speak up, and protect their future — not just their pride.
5-Step Model
STOP · BREATHE · THINK · SPEAK · ACT
10–25 Youth
Per workshop session
Restorative Circle
Group processing & community repair
Why This Workshop Matters
Violence Has Real Consequences
Conflict escalation is the #1 barrier to long-term success for young men in underserved communities. This workshop changes the outcome.
  • Criminal Record — A single violent altercation can result in an arrest record that follows participants for life, blocking jobs, housing, and education.
  • Physical Harm — Escalated conflicts frequently lead to serious injury or death. De-escalation skills are literally life-saving.
  • Relationship Damage — Unmanaged anger destroys friendships, family bonds, and community trust that took years to build.
  • The Solution — Research shows that 6–10 hours of structured conflict resolution training measurably reduces violent incidents and recidivism in youth programs.
Session Opening · 0:00–0:15
Understanding Your Triggers
Start with the opening discussion and personal trigger worksheet. Self-awareness is the first step to de-escalation.
Opening Question
"Have you ever walked away from a fight? What happened — and what made you decide to walk away?"
Why This Question?It draws on participants' own experience of self-control. Most have walked away at some point. That moment becomes the lesson foundation.
Trigger Worksheet
Common Triggers to DiscussDisrespect in public, protecting friends, social media conflicts, territory disputes, family stress, poverty stress, past trauma
Facilitator NoteCreate a safe space. Normalize admitting anger — the goal is not to eliminate anger but to manage the response. Anger is information, not an instruction.
Worksheet ActivityEach participant writes their top 3 personal triggers and their typical first response. These stay private unless shared voluntarily.
The Core Framework · 0:15–0:30
The 5-Step De-Escalation Model
Teach this model until participants can recite it from memory. It only works if it becomes automatic — a reflex, not a thought.
1
STOP
Pause. Create physical distance if possible.
2
BREATHE
3 deep breaths. Lower heart rate below 100 BPM.
3
THINK
"What happens next if I react with violence?"
4
SPEAK
Use "I feel…" statements. No accusations.
5
ACT
Choose the response that protects your future.
Steps 1 & 2 Deep Dive
STOP & BREATHE
The first two steps happen in 10 seconds or less. They are the most critical — and the hardest to do in the heat of the moment.
Why STOP?
The brain's fight-or-flight response kicks in within 2 seconds of a perceived threat. Physical distance — even 3 steps back — reduces the physiological threat response immediately.
The Science of BREATHE
3 slow deep breaths activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering heart rate from 160+ BPM back toward baseline in under 30 seconds. This is not just a saying — it's biology.
Facilitation Exercise
Have the whole group STOP and BREATHE together right now. Do it twice. Ask: "What did you notice?" Participants often report immediate physical relaxation.
Teach the Cue
Give participants a physical anchor — touching their chest, putting a hand up, or stepping back with the left foot. A consistent physical action makes STOP automatic under pressure.
Steps 3, 4 & 5 Deep Dive
THINK, SPEAK & ACT
Steps 3–5 require higher-order thinking. They get easier with practice through role-play exercises.
THINK
The Key Question"What happens next if I react with violence?" Walk through the likely outcomes: arrest, injury, hospital, incarceration. Make the consequences visceral and real.
Future Self VisualizationAsk: "Where do you want to be in 2 years?" Then ask: "Does reacting right now get you there or away from it?" This reframes the choice.
SPEAK & ACT
"I" Statement Formula"I feel [emotion] when [specific behavior] because [impact on me]." Example: "I feel disrespected when you talk about me to others because it damages my reputation."
ACT ChoicesWalk away. Request mediation. Tell a trusted adult. Contact counseling. Remove yourself from the environment. The act that protects your future — not your ego.
Practice NoteThis is where role-play becomes essential. Reading about "I" statements doesn't build the skill — doing it in front of peers does.
Role Play Practice · 0:50–1:10
Real Scenarios, Real Practice
Pair participants and rotate through these 4 common scenarios. Facilitator coaches from the sideline using the 5-step model as a reference.
Scenario 1
A disputed play during a basketball game leads to an argument. Both players are teammates. Apply all 5 steps before it escalates to the sideline.
Scenario 2
Someone disrespects your friend in public. Your friend wants you to have their back physically. What do you do? Use THINK — what happens to both of you next?
Scenario 3
A social media argument has been going on for 3 days and the other person is at this event tonight. You see them across the gym. Apply STOP and BREATHE immediately.
Scenario 4
A neighborhood dispute over territory means two participants at the program have beef. The facilitator must create a structured dialogue using restorative circle practices.
Restorative Justice · 1:10–1:30
The Restorative Circle
The closing circle transforms individual anger into collective healing. This practice is drawn from restorative justice traditions used in schools and communities worldwide.
  • Form the Circle — All participants sit in a circle. No hierarchy. The facilitator participates as an equal member, not an authority figure.
  • Talking Piece — Use a physical object (ball, token) that gives the holder exclusive speaking rights. Everyone else listens actively without interrupting.
  • Opening Question — "What does it mean to make something right in your community?" Pass the talking piece around the full circle.
  • Closing Commitment — Each participant states one thing they commit to doing differently before the next session.
  • Affirm Strength — Close by affirming that choosing de-escalation takes more strength than choosing violence. Reinforce that identity.
Follow-Up & Support Resources
Keep the Growth Going
One session changes awareness. Repeated practice changes behavior. Plan follow-up and connect participants who need deeper support.
Repeat the Model
Revisit the 5 steps at every session opening — 5 minutes is all it takes
Mental Health Referral
Participants with trauma histories need professional counseling beyond this workshop
Peer Mediators
Train 2–3 participants as peer mediators who can help resolve disputes between sessions
Case Management
Log attendance, notable incidents, and referrals made in AMB's case management system
1 / 9
De-Escalation Conflict Resolution Restorative Justice Required for facilitators

What You'll Cover

  • Why conflict escalation ends futures
  • Identifying personal conflict triggers
  • The 5-Step De-Escalation Model
  • STOP, BREATHE — the biology behind it
  • Role-play with 4 real scenarios
  • Running a restorative circle

Session Timer

Elapsed
0:00
Current Segment
Waiting to start…

Facilitated By

AMB Chapter Director or Youth Counselor
Association of Midnight Basketball
Life Skills Component  ·  MBL Program™

Facilitator Guide — Full Workshop Reference
90 min
Total Duration
10–25
Participants
5
De-Escalation Steps
4
Role-Play Scenarios
5
Session Segments
14–24
Age Range
Materials Checklist
Prepare before the workshop — click items to mark complete
Trigger identification worksheet (one per participant)
5-Step De-Escalation Model reference cards (laminated if possible)
Role-play scenario cards (printed and cut — one set per pair)
Talking piece for restorative circle (ball, token, or symbolic object)
Chairs arranged in a circle for the restorative justice closing
Pens and blank paper for personal trigger journaling
Mental health referral resource list for this community
AMB case management attendance and incident log sheet
Session Segments — Step-by-Step Guide
1
Opening Discussion & Trigger Identification
0:00–0:15

Start with the opening question that draws on participants' existing experience of self-control. Every participant has walked away from something. Find that moment.

  • Open with: "Has anyone here ever walked away from a fight? What happened?"
  • Let 3–4 participants share. Affirm every answer. Don't judge motivations.
  • Distribute trigger worksheets. Give 5 minutes for participants to list their top 3 triggers privately.
  • Ask for 2–3 volunteers to share one trigger. Thank each participant who shares.
  • Frame: "Today we're going to learn how to change what we do with that feeling."
Safety Note: If a participant discloses an ongoing violent situation or threat to their safety, pause the exercise and address it privately. Know your mandatory reporting obligations.
2
Teaching the 5-Step Model
0:15–0:30

Introduce all 5 steps clearly and memorably. Use the reference cards. Have participants repeat each step aloud together as a group.

  • Display or distribute the 5-Step Model reference card
  • Read through all 5 steps together as a group — out loud, in unison
  • Do the BREATHE exercise physically as a group: 3 slow deep breaths
  • Explain the science briefly: breathing lowers heart rate, which lowers aggression response
  • Practice "I" statements as a group: "I feel ___ when ___ because ___"
Memory Tip: Give participants a mnemonic: "SB TSA" — like TSA at the airport. STOP · BREATHE · THINK · SPEAK · ACT. Make it funny so it sticks.
3
Role-Play Practice Pairs
0:30–0:50 then 0:50–1:10

Role-play is where the learning sticks. Participants practice the model in safe, low-stakes scenarios before they need it in a real situation.

  • Pair participants (avoid pairs who have real conflict between them)
  • Distribute scenario cards. Give pairs 3 minutes per scenario.
  • Role A: plays the aggressor or trigger situation. Role B: applies the 5-step model.
  • Switch roles after each scenario so everyone practices both sides
  • Facilitator circulates, offers coaching, affirms correct use of the model
  • Debrief as a group: "What was hardest? What surprised you?"
4
Restorative Circle Closing
1:10–1:30

The restorative circle transforms individual practice into community commitment. It is the most powerful part of this workshop.

  • Ask everyone to move chairs into a full circle — no desks, no barriers
  • Introduce the talking piece and its meaning: "When you hold this, you have the floor"
  • Opening question: "What does making something right look like in your community?"
  • Pass the talking piece. Everyone who wants to speak gets one turn. No crosstalk.
  • Closing commitment: "I commit to _____ before next session." Each person states one specific action.
  • Facilitator closes: "Choosing de-escalation takes more courage than throwing a punch. That's the kind of strength we're building here."
5
Documentation & Follow-Up
After Session
  • Log attendance in AMB case management system within 24 hours
  • Note any participants who disclosed concerning situations — make appropriate referrals
  • Identify 2–3 participants to train as peer mediators for ongoing program support
  • Collect commitment cards — follow up at next session on how commitments went
  • Revisit the 5-step model at the opening of every future session (5-minute review)
Support Resources & Referral Partners

Connect participants who need deeper support to qualified professionals. This workshop builds awareness — some participants will need ongoing counseling or mediation services.

Mental Health Counseling
Connect participants with trauma histories to licensed counselors. Community mental health centers often offer sliding-scale or free services for youth.
Restorative Justice Programs
Many cities have formal restorative justice diversion programs that keep youth out of the justice system. Know your local DA's office programs.
Peer Mediation Training
Train your best participants as peer mediators. Youth-to-youth conflict resolution is proven to be more effective than adult intervention in many situations.
AMB Case Management
Log all workshop attendance, participant disclosures that required referral, and peer mediator identifications in the AMB case management system.
Module 05 Complete

Ready to facilitate?

Return to all training modules or head to case management to log session outcomes.

All Modules Case Management